24 Hour cafe in Leeds?

Ames

Yes, I've compared quotes - 20 hours for £250 is really good value and they were going to give me a free hour a week for three weeks afterwards. I don't know if the council do it. If they do then they'll charge more. I thought I needed the locks changing once and they said that if I got them to do it they'd cost more than a private locksmith but offered a payment plan.

I don't think you're being bossy and interfering, you're helping loads.

I went to the hospital today and during the daily 'chat' I raised some of my concerns. She suggested that I go to the council gym as I can't go to the hospital one. The problem with that though is that I want to have a training plan devised by someone with a good understanding of my health conditions. Plus, even though it's cheaper to people on benefits it'd still be about £20 a month if I go twice a week and that'll be a push on my new budget. I've asked the diabetes nurse for a referral to the gym and they don't do that, even though I'm seriously obese and really want to tackle it.

She gave me a notebook for a mood diary, but it's just for me, they wont be analysing it.

I mentioned the binge eating and she said I need to ask one of my key workers to refer me to the eating disorder unit. It turns out that the people I've been asking for referrals to places don't actually have the authority to make them, so it's a bit annoying that they've said they'll do it.

I'm not sure if there'll be a doctor at the meeting on Thursday, if there is I'll ask them to have a look at my meds. The support for changing them is that I have lots of medical allergies, so I might need to change quickly if they put me on the wrong one. I also get bad side effects sometimes. Plus there's the vulnerability of moving from one to another and the in between bit where neither's working properly.

The woman I spoke to today said they'd be referring me to psycology and the CFS clinic. I'm not holding out much hope though. Last time I saw a psychologist he saw me once then said I needed to get therapy through the CFS clinic instead of the mental health team, at the CFS clinic assessment they said I needed to be under the mental health team because all my problems were due to my mental health. That was the last I heard from any of them.

She said today that when I'm discharged I wont be just left with no support at all. Based on past experience though I just can't believe that. I'm always being promised help and support and stuff, but it never materialises.

I also saw my GP today who was really understanding and supportive, she's writing a detailed report for the DLA people. And she's referred me to an OT to try and get some help in the house. But the last one gave me all the equipment she could so I'm not sure what more can be done.

Anyway, I've got a busy day tomorrow. I've got my blood transfusion in the morning, seeing my outreach worker in the afternoon and then going to my writing group in the evening.

Yorkie1

Good luck tomorrow and hope tonight isn't too bad for you.

lulabella_2

Awww it's such a shame you find yourself in this situation.Lots of big hugs to you and I hope you get your high care/mobility reinstated,as this is clearly at the heart of all your mess.hugs

Gillybean103

I didnt want to read and run, but cannot offer much advice. I worked for a mental health trust so have a bit of knowledge, I'm surprised your DLA has been reduced, seems so wrong. What does your support worker say about this?

I feel so sad that you are effectively dealing with this all alone, if I lived closer I would offer to help you tidy your flat. I know it's a cliche but a cluttered house leads to a cluttered mind and it certainly won't be helping with how you are feeling. Just having a 'safe' spot at home where you can sit and read or watch tv or do a jigsaw I'm sure would make all the difference to your well being which in turn will help you significantly.

I really hope that you get the help you need and deserve

Ames

Thanks.

Lulabella, it's not so much that DLA is at the root of my problems, it's that I'm not getting the care I need because of it. If it's just increased to middle care and lower mobilty I could limp along for a few months till appeal.

Gillybean, I've no idea why they've made the decision. It's fishy on several levels though. They said they based it on the form and my GP report - but the report was supportive. The dates are off too. I asked at reception in my GP surgery on a Thursday if the report had been sent and it hadn't, and the decision was dated the following Tuesday.

My support worker's shocked by it too, as well as my GP, the hospital and my welfare rights advisor.

Anyway I've decided about the house.

My first priority is to buy a car, I'm housebound without one (I can't use public transport, and taxi's are out because I'd have to phone for them). My motability car is being collected a week tomorrow, so I'm going to buy a car this weekend. I'll insure it and pay monthly for that. So if there's enough left out of my savings after buying a car and putting aside six months' insurance, I'll pay for the cleaning. Even if I can't afford to get the whole flat done, just getting the kitchen and living room will make a huge difference.

Then if there's anything left after that I can apply for a blue badge, get the new glasses I really need, and a few other minor bits of equipment. Oh, and hopefully put enough aside to go to the council gym twice a week for six months. I'll have to decide on how to prioritise that list when I know how much I have left.

Then I'll have to reassess after six months if the DLA hasn't been sorted or mum's estate settled.

geoffky

Here is the frontline of the cuts in benefits and any person who supports them wants to walk in this persons shoes for just one day...I am outraged people like the op are being told they are liars by this system...Good luck and dont let the basta-rds get you down....

roadiegirl

Didn't want to read and run, I know how hard things can get. The library at the Met campus in Headingley is 24hrs 365 days a year, although after about 1am the security can be a bit strict with people without a Carnegie card. When I didn't have mine with me, I used to sit in the corner where I wouldn't really be seen, headphones in and immerse myself in one of my books. The McDonalds in Kirkstall can get a bit rowdy with everyone coming out of Evo (the club) Thurs-Sat, but I'm sure in the week it is a bit quieter (and they are open 24/7, my flatmate used to work there, and we frequently used to go for late night food runs).
I really do hope you find a solution, perhaps have a word with one of the librarians at Met, and see what they say about you coming in at night just to read a book or whatever you might do, they might be able to give you a spare card just so you can go in, they are really friendly nice people who I am sure would help you. Feel free to PM me if you wish.

roadiegirl

Also, Amber Taxis have a system where you can register online, and then text for taxis, would this be of any use? You can also book your taxi online as well. (sorry for double posting)

http://www.taxileeds.co.uk/

Ames

The Amber taxi thing looks perfect, thank you!

Thanks for the tip about the Met Uni. I'd heard that about the Macdonalds, that it's, um, interesting, when the club's closing. I quite enjoy people watching though, it helps with my writing.

I had a really good session with my outreach worker this afternoon. I took a couple of letters with me that I'd been too scared to open, and not only managed that but made a couple of urgent phonecalls too.

I'm starting to get nervous about my meeting tomorrow. It'd probably be easier if I knew when it is, instead of just knowing the date.

Savvy_Sue

roadiegirl wrote: »

Also, Amber Taxis have a system where you can register online, and then text for taxis, would this be of any use? You can also book your taxi online as well. (sorry for double posting)

I'll tell you what's good about texting for a taxi, you'll get a text back with the driver's name, possible the regn. no. too. At least I assume you will: I know there's one company near my mother who text back when you ring to book.