The PIE Guide, in association with London Councils, is pleased to announce the launch of the latest Blue Badge Guide for London. The new guide provides essential updates required by Blue Badge holders detailing the changes to parking regulations, bay locations and the complex parking rules within London.
With the 2012 Games being a truly inclusive event, we hope this unique experience will provide a catalyst to improve the accessibility of transport networks across London. Access improvements can help many people travel more comfortably, such as people with small children and even passengers carrying luggage.
For some disabled and older people, however, these improvements may mean they can use public transport for the first time, unlocking a host of new travel opportunities. The new guide includes all the mapping and accessibility information around the Olympic Park. We hope that it will help empower disabled people to make full use of public transport and the blue badge scheme both during and after the games.
Recommended by The Department for Transport and sponsored by London Councils, the guide contains vital information for the registered blue badge driver i.e. parking bays, car parks and petrol stations along with additional content highlighting the accessible tube stations, taxi ranks, accessible toilets, shopmobility centres and a useful directory of services. The PIE Guide is also in partnership with SOLT (Society of London Theatres) and has incorporated their access information for all London theatres within the guide. Parking options for disabled drivers at the main London hospitals and sporting venues will also be included, making this an indispensable guide for London’s disabled community.
Readers of Mature Times can claim free p&p (worth £2.50) for every order of the new guide. To order your copy please visit www.thepieguide.com, navigate to the shop and add the Blue Badge Guide for London to your basket. Press checkout and you will then see a box marked discount code. There, add the code lg12dm. Alternatively, you can call us on 0844 847 0875. You can also send a cheque, made payable to The Pie Guide, for £5.99, to: The Pie Guide, Caledonia House, 223 Pentonville Road, London, N1 9NG.
Campaigns & Issues
Caring Britain: One in four take on role of carers as “Sandwich Generation” rejects care home option for elderly parents
Notions of a selfish society are cast aside today as new research reveals that the 45-60 age group is shouldering the responsibility of looking after elderly parents. Despite active levels of family engagement, all but a minority find it hard to have the conversation about long-term care needs, and for most, care homes are not an option.
News
Graham Norton invites the nation to Party for Parkinson’s for The Queen’s Jubilee
Popular BBC TV Presenter and arguably the nation’s favourite party host, Graham Norton, has issued a rallying cry – urging everyone to Party for Parkinson’s this summer.
Familiar with glitzy nightlife and besquinned party gear, Graham is channelling his love of social occasions into backing a new campaign aimed at helping people with Parkinson’s by sprinkling a little party magic across the UK.
Whether it’s a barbecue, street or house party, Parkinson’s UK alongside Graham, hopes to encourage people to turn their gatherings into a real cause for celebration by helping to raise funds for the charity.
Competitions & Fun
Win a pair of tickets to South Pacific
This breathtaking and lavish Lincoln Center Theatre production reinvented Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic musical.
It swept the 2008 Tony Awards, played for two years to sold-out houses on Broadway and was televised across America.
Reader Offers
You could win one of three superb weekend breaks in Silver Travel Advisor’s “Best of British” Diamond Jubilee celebration this month
Silver Travel Advisor is a friendly website packed with advice, tips, information and honest reviews written by and for silver travellers (aged over 50).
A team of advisors are on hand to answer queries (for free), and you can share your own experiences too.
It’s time to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee this month with an amazing British prize draw:
Win a two night stay for two people at Flackley Ash Hotel , Rye, East Sussex
Health & Wellbeing
Volunteering is good for your health, but undervalued
Older people who volunteer are less depressed, have a better quality of life and are happier with their lives, according to a new study published by leading older people’s charity, WRVS.
At a time when older people’s health is at risk because of cuts to services, increasing volunteering amongst older people offers a new route to improving their wellbeing. However, despite the pressing needs of their older populations, many local authorities have failed to grasp this opportunity.
Property & Finance
Older people need specialist housing
Britain’s housing market is failing to meet the needs of the elderly, despite a rapidly-ageing population and a growing demand for retirement housing, a charity has warned. Housing charity Shelter has found that if demand remains at current levels supply would have to increase by over 70 per cent in the next 20 years in order to keep up.
The report explored the housing options available to those over 55 - a group that will make up one in three people in England by 2030.
Lifestyle
Grandparents better than nurseries
Young children looked after by their grandparents often develop better than those who are placed in nurseries, researchers have found. Spending time being cared for by family members leaves children more emotionally secure with wider vocabularies, the study said.
The research indicated that middle class families are more likely to use relatives to provide care while less affluent families often send their children to nurseries.
Travel & Leisure
Families take grandparents on holiday
Many families will be packing more than suitcases into their cars for this year's summer holidays - they will also be making room for grandma and granddad.
That's the finding of a major holiday parks group, Best of British, which reports a growing trend for couples with kids to join up with grandparents for holidays.
I’m so pleased you actually listen to our comments!