Notes of the Strategic VCSE Forum Held on 4th December 2019 at 1.00 p.m.

Present: Apologies:

Lesley Whatmough Support Liz Hill SCHLOF Anne Ross Support Staffordshire Jenny Webb Shopmobility Tracey Gould Choices Housing Charlotte Jones Stafford Social Catherine Wetton Healthwatch Staffordshire Hub Andrew Brooks Bishops Offley Millenium Elizabeth Bull GamCare Green Trust Wendy Fidgett Dept Work and Pensions Rob Arnold Support Staffordshire BBO Anita Sumner-Smith Social Care Pathway Elizabeth Lodge SARH Siobhan Parry MAC Clinical Record Kath Shires Starfish Health and Caroline Bradford Wellbeing The Beth Johnson Lesley Bailey Foundation Stafford District Jonathon Watkiss Bereavement and Loss Jane Hinks The Space Station Mike Moore Carers Hub Dan Gibbons The Space Station Kat Horner Re-solv Martin Strang Alzheimers Society St Thomas and St Andrews Danielle Reynolds Church Hub Debbie Baker The Recovery Hub Jo Yendole The Recovery Hub Tony Innamorati Stone Community Hub Helena Grealish Moreton Community Centre Support Staffordshire Volunteers

1. Welcome, introduction and Apologies

Anne Ross opened the Forum, welcomed everyone to St Thomas and St Andrews Church and Doxey Hub and thanked them for the use of the room. Introductions conducted

2. Notes of the last meeting – Agreed a true record

3. Matters Arising – Please note that in future Agenda’s will not be sent out by Locality Staff, they will be sent out by our Central Team. Notes of Forums alongside Agendas can be found on Support Staffordshire Website: www.supportstaffordshire.org.uk.

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Please respond to Locality Administrators with Acceptance or Apologies (Not Central Team), this gives an idea of numbers for room layouts and Refreshments.

To obtain more information about Support Staffordshire and information on Forums please register for our e bulletin through our website.

4. Presentations

 Martin Strang- Doxey Hub and Doxey Church – Open doors Plenty of Space

The Place Based Approach in Stafford began in March 2018 where at a packed out Rising Brook Baptist Church representatives from the Voluntary sector and statutory providers joined together to begin a conversation about how we can work together as best as possible so as to deliver the right services at the right time to children and families.

This was followed up three months later with a similar event at the Gatehouse Theatre; lots happened at this, but perhaps most significantly, three areas in the Stafford district were identified as particular areas to focus on initially.

From this developed two much smaller, localised and regular events called ‘Think Highfields’ and ‘Think Doxey’ which began by looking at local data and local priorities and bringing together anyone who delivered or aspired to deliver in that area.

The sessions have developed at their own pace, each time proving useful in terms of making connections, networking, understanding each other’s practice and ultimately, delivering better outcomes for local families. We are excited to see the model roll out in Stone in the New Year!

Our vision is that the centre will become a hub of activity so that members of the community can come together, and to improve life chances, such as recreational, social, educational or health and wellbeing initiatives. Previous activities have included fun days, coffee mornings, baby and toddler activities, children or youth clubs, martial arts, yoga, drama.

 Kat Horner – Alzheimers Society- Dementia Friendly Communities

Aimed at supporting communities to become Dementia Friendly. There are currently 12 communities in Staffordshire including 4 schools in Stafford and 6300 Dementia Friends.

Presentation to be supplied with the notes on Support Staffordshire Website: www.supportstaffordshire.org.uk

For further information Email: [email protected].

 Jonathon Watkiss - Space Station – a creative Community Hub

The Space Station is a Creative Community Hub in Stafford Town Centre where the community can hire creative space and offers opportunities to meet, network and collaborate. Creative people can develop and share their talents.

For further information contact: Nicky Barron 07926367418

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5. Update from Forum Representatives

 Andrew Brooks – Bishops Offley Millenium Green Trust

The trust is self-funding. Adbaston Community choir put on 4 concerts a year in Adbaston Church and like to encourage youngsters to join in. The next concert is in May as part Stafford Festival.

 Rob Arnold – Building Better Opportunities.

BBO is a programme to support individuals to find work or Volunteering opportunities by improving personal, financial and employability skills, i.e. Volunteers can volunteer at a local farm which can help build confidence. Any referrals to see if there is a suitable programme please contact: [email protected].

Or visit Website: www.supportstaffordshire.org.uk

 Jane Hinks- Carers Hub

Commissioned to provide assessments for Carers to support with Healthcare.

 Danielle Reynolds – The Recovery Hub

Offers 1-1 advice and guidance to ages 18 or above with any mental condition. Will take self-referral and will signpost any under 18 age group if referred.

For further information contact: [email protected].

 Anita Sumner-Smith – Social Care Pathway

Provides information and signposting and a buddy network. Also Part of a Charity Terrible Titties and other Bitties (TTOB’s), offering support throughout and beyond.

For further information please contact: [email protected]. Or Re: TTOB’s: [email protected].

 Tracey Gould - Choices Housing- Dementia Hub

Require Volunteers to support Carers

For further information contact: [email protected].

 Lesley Bailey – Stafford District Bereavement and Loss

Offers self-referral support service. Councillors and Support workers are all Volunteers.

For further information contact: [email protected].

 Catherine Wetton – Healthwatch

Currently running various projects one of which is survey of Care Navigation of which feedback will be provided to public and Services.

For further information contact: [email protected].

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 Kath Shires-Starfish Health and Wellbeing

Offers Social Prescribing. The Service is designed for people who are struggling emotionally and want that bit of support. The service provides low level support for patients in primary care – initially involving a brief assessment to identify how can work together to meet wellbeing needs and future goals. This may lead to support and advice regarding debt/money management, employment and housing-related issues and signposting.

For further information contact: [email protected].

 Caroline Bradford- Beth Johnson Foundation

Is a Cancer Support Programme (non-clinical), giving advice on employment and housing etc. and people can self-refer.

For further information contact: [email protected].

 Jo Yendole – Stone Community Hub

Runs a drop in café, a foodbank and a hot meal once every week.

For further information contact: [email protected].

 Dan Gibbons – Re-solv

Provides drug education and emotional support based in Stafford Borough.

 John Watkiss – Space Station

A creative community hub based in Princes Street Stafford. It is a space to enable any creative activities to take place focussed on wellbeing.

Require Volunteers to help with refurbishment and also as stewards for events.

For further information phone Nicky Baron: 07926367418

6. Any Other Business

Nominations for Volunteer Star awards to be held in June across Staffordshire. Closing Date Friday 26th April. (Leaflets provided)

Presentation visit: www.supportstaffordshire.org.uk.

7. Dates of Future Meetings

 Thursday 5th March 2020, 1-3pm, Community Hall, 1938 Shaws Lane, Eccleshall, Stafford. ST21 6AU

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