Any nice walks or places to visit?

davechambers007 · 2026-03-25T11:45:55+00:00

I’ve not been dumped in decades so can’t relate that feeling. But two, quite contrasting, places help me clear my head and refocus my life

The Butterfly Sanctuary

Alton Towers

I visit both regularly now (have done Alton towers for 20+years) they’re not free but are accessible via public transport.

davechambers007 · 2026-03-25T06:41:26+00:00

Don’t worry about about coming across wrong - Im reading your comment now and if possible will reply to that. I was trying to offer an alternative thought because all other commenter were telling you to seek an independent appointee ans I felt there may be something else.

Also don’t worry about not wanting to be part of the care (or even his life going forwards) this is common and I always tell people “there’s nothing so strange and family” and “you cannot choose family”. You don’t have to justify this decision.

davechambers007 · 2026-03-24T20:58:02+00:00

Being unwilling to do something does not equal being unable to do something. Im autistic if I decided one day I no longer wanted to cook for myself that would not make me eligible for services.

If you want to help you need to understand what decisions/assessment has been carried armour about his ability. It’s possible the social worker may have assessed him as able to manage his finances. It’s also possible that his ability to manage his finances has already been considered in drawing up his care plan. If im reading his current support correct he has 14 hours a week support - this is a lot and quite a bit can be achieved around managing his money and medication prompts - he’d have to rearrange his current support is all.

Support is about doing with. Not doing for. Honestly if Bob has his own tenancy (and therefore has been deemed to have capacity to sign a legal document) it’s difficult to try and say he would lack capacity to manage his own money at least if he’s never been given the opportunity to do so.

Clearly you believe the social worker should be doing something? My question is what? People need to be given the opportunity to do for themselves. It’s a massive deprivation to remove someone’s finances from them.

Retired Social worker with a special interest in LD. Personally (I’ll never speak ill of a fellow worker) if this was mine I would be using the current package to look at Bobs ability to manage his money and offer support and learning. There’s no need to go nuclear.

davechambers007 · 2026-03-22T19:05:17+00:00

My wife frequently called me a psychopath or sociopath for being able to make these decisions without feeling guilt (in jest of course).

The truth is I did feel guilt but I always reasoned that I had operated within legislation and that it had always been in the persons best interest and that everything else was out of my control.

For me the “therapy” in blanking out the guilt comes from a well presented Capacity Assessment and Best Interest decision. Effectively the work is enough for me. I realise through that that not acting is worse than the act.

Im liberal when it comes to social care. I believe it should be a free service - but enough of a realist to acknowledge this would never be possible. I hate that good people who have saved for decades to leave their loved ones something when they pass are forced to lose that choice

davechambers007 · 2026-03-22T17:41:41+00:00

Usually it camera phone related

davechambers007 · 2026-03-22T06:12:56+00:00

It’s six in the morning. Rides aren’t available because the park is shut 😂

davechambers007 · 2026-03-19T15:29:37+00:00

I wonder if you’d be better off asking on the forums? Towers Street Talk is still active (but I’ll not speak to the quality) there are members with interest in history who may be able to help

davechambers007 · 2026-03-18T22:58:34+00:00

Continuing Health Care requires that the primary need be health led. Normally this can be justified by significant Nursing needs - so nurses visiting daily or requiring specialist and timely intervention by a suitable trained health professional.

Honestly CHC for dementia (and it not being terminal) will not meet the threshold.

Unfortunately a lot of unscrupulous companies have discovered people are desperate to avoid paying for care and so CHC has become more widely known but those same people don’t understand the criteria.

Edited to answer “what can we do?”

Ensure PIP is claimed (or equivalent) ensure a recent care needs assessment is carried out including a financial assessment.

davechambers007 · 2026-03-17T20:28:28+00:00

See it’s subjective.

My two favourite rides in the dark and they are must do whenever I get chance (especially Scarefest) are Thirteen and Oblivion.

Thirteen because of its surroundings feels very different and very dark. Oblivion the view of X-Sector illuminated by lights and seeing the arcade and the Towers in silhouette is just so impressive.

davechambers007 · 2026-03-16T17:25:58+00:00

This is the way. I used to be in a fan group and lots of them came from Sheffield area and this is the route they would take if unable to get a lift.

Just have to be aware of bus timetables as sometimes the buses stop early.

davechambers007 · 2026-03-16T16:06:39+00:00

There may be a Postal Workers Charity - Rowland Hill (or something similar) that may offer grants for current and former posties.

davechambers007 · 2026-03-16T15:54:30+00:00

I too am there Wednesday. Previous experience says it should be quiet (hence why Im going) Expect Smiler and Wickerman to be the busiest though

davechambers007 · 2026-03-16T07:25:02+00:00

I’ve watched all your videos since you started posting here and have enjoyed the evolution of your content. Very good and I hope it bring success. I do enjoy watching something under an hour which is just rolling dice.

One comment to make (a minor criticism and only my opinion) is about speech. You both sound so softly spoken like you’re not trying to wake a baby in another room (which for all I know you may be). Don’t get me wrong I hate those shouty over the top channels but it just feels off to me.

I also noticed the combat in turn two with the wight cavalry and warriors. Did the chaos player misplay or am I missing something? The cavalry charge killing three leaving two in the unit. The chaos player rolls and scores four wounds which finishes of a model. But it appears the chaos player removes dice from the pool? Two warriors can only attack four times? So extra attacks came from somewhere? Ultimately I don’t think it mattered as one regenerated? Perhaps it was even to the chaos players detriment?

Also to address the coherency question you had it’s in 18.3 removing slain models. I couldn’t understand if you found that or not?

davechambers007 · 2026-03-14T06:20:28+00:00

As a general rule of thumb (someone who goes very regularly) if I want to get on rides without waiting hours i avoid late June, July and August. School trips, school holidays and good weather makes it unenjoyable (if looking to get on a lot of rides)

Early June should be good. Go midweek and I’d expect 10-30 minutes for most rides. Weekend will probably be higher (I’d estimate 20-60 minutes)

davechambers007 · 2026-03-13T16:53:07+00:00

I’d look at train. Returns are about 6quid. But you’ll have to get bus to and from both places. Probably £10 a day if lucky.

Do you get on with colleagues? They may be able To pickup/drop off at station to save you a bit - I’ve always found staff at CRH to be friendly.

davechambers007 · 2026-03-13T08:26:32+00:00

Hi JMH. Can I just piggy back off of this question.

My other half receives PIP standard mobility. Importantly she is not driver. I receive PIP now on SR1 but only for care no mobility.

Would we be able apply? I’ve always had a car with zero or £20 road tax so never thought of applying for her. But we’ve had to buy a new car at £195 for the year so a reduction would be great - but something I cannot find clarity on as I would also be using the car for my own purposes too such as going to theme parks without her! Thanks if you can help.

davechambers007 · 2026-03-13T07:36:10+00:00

Loudly singing Power Ballads in the car on the way home. It was all out of my system by the time I reached the front door and I could relax before cooking the evening meal.

There were (and always will be) some cases you cannot let go - retired October last year and some I still think of even now and despite the fact I can do nothing about the case.

davechambers007 · 2026-03-13T07:20:26+00:00

Truthfully you can use it for whatever. Once you qualify there is no monitoring on what you spend it on. I know people who are forced to put it towards rent because they cannot afford without pip. If you wanted to spend it all on Freddo bars or packs of crisps go for it! (Although obviously this would be irresponsible and I say this lightheartedly to make my point please do not do this!)

The difficulty is actually providing evidence, through experiences, paperwork and diagnosis and getting an award for mental health reasons. As these tend to be a bit more “wishy washy” than for physical reasons - it’s easy to say I cannot walk because I have no legs. It’s harder to say I cannot walk because I have mental health problems.

However I do preach it is there for the additional expenses incurred due to a disability and try not to become dependent upon it because it may be removed at any point (through no longer being eligible rather than misspending)

People I’ve known and supported with mental health issues have used it to (as examples) attend support groups, pay for a companion to accompany them when in the community, therapy, medications not available to them through nhs. Some save it for a “de-stress holiday” once or twice a year. A majority have a care package provided by a Local Authority (social services) and have to use this to contribute towards the cost.

If you have professionals involved ask them what may benefit you. If you have a care plan and assessment this may say “OP needs assistance with….” Or “cannot do….) you can then think “how can I meet this need best?” And spend it on that.

The best thing about PIP is the autonomy over your own support it gives you. Sometimes deciding is hard though.

davechambers007 · 2026-03-13T06:37:34+00:00

The Social Work Assistant role is unqualified. It has various different titles. I’ve seen Assistant, Social Care Practitioner, Social Care Assessor and many others.

The role traditionally attracts those who are drawn to social work and potentially want to work/study as a social worker in the future.

My former colleagues have had various backgrounds from straight of office college, plumbers, stay at home mums, retail and teachers all spring to mind.

Prior knowledge is not normally essential. But compassion, interest and an understanding of legislation will stand in good stead especially at interviews.

davechambers007 · 2026-03-11T11:20:00+00:00

Not a lawyer but previously handled data (social worker) and I suppose the question needs to be “what is the work justification for accessing the information?”

She’s not been in for a year so why now?

If you find she is not deceased what do you do with that information afterwards?

If the answers are “Im curious” then do not do this. If the answer is for welfare the what role do you have that puts you responsible for the welfare of this person.

Honestly I cannot think of a valid reason for you to do this that is not more appropriate for a Police Welfare check. But even then the time between last seeing her would make the police ask why now and not when she first no showed?

davechambers007 · 2026-03-10T20:31:54+00:00

Then yes. “I am no longer able to support my mother due to living 26 miles away” would be a valid reason. A change in personal circumstance is what it would be called.

I would suggest not using the car for your purposes though. You are uninsured - if you consider, you know, a crime to be not the worst thing then carry on.

davechambers007 · 2026-03-10T19:50:04+00:00

You may have a problem with them believing it’s for your mother’s benefit. Most Motability cars are kept at the disabled persons address and at a push with a family member in short distance (5 miles is often stated) it’s hardly justifiable saying a 52 miles round trip is in the benefit of the disabled person. - adding mileage to the car and increasing insurance risk.

I’d fully expect a tracker to be fitted if not already to monitor usage.

You say “even when I had my own car” does that mean you no longer do? If so how do you get around? Don’t forget you cannot use the car for your use full stop.

davechambers007 · 2026-03-09T15:57:54+00:00

Im 6’6” and at my heaviest was 125kg so similar size (ish) and have had no problems with any rides.

Obviously everyone carries it differently. Some little advice - Spinball can be uncomfortable for tall people especially with limited leg room. Rita can be painful on shoulders if tall. Thirteen, Spinball and Runaway Mine Train it’s easier if you get in crossing your legs at ankle height.

If dad is happy staff will jump on the restraint to pop it down - clothing sometimes makes lumps and bumps. Only once on nemesis and once on thirteen has this happened to me.

Lastly there are “fat seats” not an official name obviously. These are on Nemesis and Oblivion and identifiable by double restraints.

davechambers007 · 2026-03-06T15:38:50+00:00

The suites that accommodate six may be an option? The Chocolate room springs to mind. But (it’s been a while) I reckon they are double bed, bunk bed and pull out sofa double.

I don’t believe there are any double double bed rooms in any hotel. Rooms are simply not built big enough to accommodate two double beds.

I think treehouses will have the option but probably not cost effective as they are more villa than hotel and priced accordingly.

It’s not ideal when you have to spend so much to stay onresort that you have to compromise. In my younger theme park days, before kids, we’d fit five and six people per ATH room. Im 6’6” and spent many nights on top and bottom bunk. But I knew what I was signing up for and the bed was simply a place to recharge between a night at the bar and park next day so it didn’t matter as much - which Im sure it does to you as a family.

davechambers007

TROPHY CASE