West Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) Network

Minutes of meeting held on: Wednesday 9th December 2015, at 10.00am Grindon Young People’s Project, Grindon,

Present: Councillor Peter Gibson -Chair Gilly Stanley Acting Area Community Officer - SCC Helen Peverley West Area Co-ordinator SCC Mike Lowthian Age UK, Sunderland Ashleigh Banks Alzheimer’s Society Wendy Hunter Alzheimer’s Society Sophie Clinton Community Helper, Youth Almighty Project Karen Wood Community Development Officer, PAG Karen Ramage Health & Wellbeing, Pallion Action Group Kevin Howard Project Manager, Lambton Street Bill Leach Partnership Co-Ordinator/Community Helper, PCC Courtney Tuckerman Community Helper, A690 Margy Cain Community Helper, Farringdon Jubilee Centre Jemma Amer General Manager, Farringdon Jubiliee Centre Sharon Semley Project Manager, A690 Rob Barrass Sports Development Officer, SCC Dorothy Muckles Volunteer Co-Ordinator, GCCP

In Attendance: Angela Scott Specialist Minute Taking Team

Apologies: Shahzana Aslam Unity Organisation Tim Wright Red Machine Allotments Lisa Wilson Riddell Manager, Box Youth Project Edna Rochester Community Rep, Tansy Centre Elaine Harbron Community IT SCC Julie Marshall Age UK Abu Shama Centre Manager, Sunderland Bangaldeshi Ctr

Action 1. Welcome, Introductions, Apologies Councillor Gibson welcomed attendees to the meeting and opened with a round of introductions. Apologies were noted above.

2. Minutes of Previous Meeting (21 October 2015) and Matters Arising

The minutes of the last meeting on 21.10.15 were agreed as a true record.

1

3. Live Life Well Co-Ordinators

Jan Milner was not in attendance at today’s meeting. Item deferred.

4. Altogether Better – Mike Lowthian

 Mike advised Age UK Sunderland are commissioned by the local clinical commissioning Group and are identified as ‘vanguard’ status. The aim is to lead in health and social care targeting patients in certain health groups i.e. with heart problems and people who have suffered a stroke. This is aimed at the top 3% of people who use health services across the City.  It is aimed at people over the age of 65 years with at least two long term health conditions, to offer support to people at home and in residential care; providing a quicker response.  There are 5 MDT regions across the City located Coalfields, West, North, Washington and the East. 90 staff based at each team consisting of District Nurses, Matrons, Social Workers and Link Workers.  Events are organised and the next Sunderland West Public Event is to be held on 22.1.16 from 1-3pm at St Mary & St Peter’s Community Project, Sunderland.  The aim is to deliver better health care and to assist in reducing hospital re-admission. The Recovery at Home service are based at Leechmere and provide a 24 hour service for 6 weeks to settle in residents when they return home after being in hospital.  A PPE Team of three people work at the Bradbury Centre and are tasked to organise 20 events, up until 31.3.16 when the contract ends a total of 38 events have been organised.  Mike advised information is to be gathered, a report produced and a Conference is to be held with Key Partners on 25.2.16 at the Stadium of Light and representatives from each group will be asked to attend and discuss feedback.  Mike distributed leaflets and advised if anyone has any questions to please do not hesitate to get in touch: telephone: 0191 5148322 or email [email protected].  5. Feedback from West Area Committee’s People and Place Board – Gilly Stanley

 Gilly advised the West Area Committee meeting held at Sandhill Library was successful; it was a good venue choice and was well attended. PC’s are available for use and there were several topics raised.  The West Community Helpers Project was approved, the wards and Voluntary Sectors organisations are:  Pallion, Pallion Action Group, Karen Ramage

 St Annes, Community Centre- Bill Leach 2

 St Chad’s , Jubilee Centre, Margy Cain  Sandhill A690 Courtney Tuckerman  Silksworth, Youth Almighty- Joanne Laverick

 Barnes, Youth Almighty – Sophie Clinton

 Area Committee have approved the project WIRES 2, which will be included as a future agenda meeting on how to refer in. The contact person is Karen Wood.  Bill discussed the report produced by the Police regarding the increase in crime rates in different wards and the recording of these crimes. Councillors spoke with Inspectors as the figures are not as alarming as initially thought.  Karen Wood stated that it was positive that crimes are easier to report, can appear more exaggerated then they actually.  Cllr Gibson advised the West Area Committee have purchased bicycles for the Police from the Community Chest Fund for Police based in each area of the West Wards. A total of 6 bikes have been provided and are for the sole use of the West.

6. Information Share

Alzheimer’s Society

 Ashleigh and Wendy attended today’s meeting and advised they are working on part of a project in the North East and Cumbria, engaging with younger people with Dementia under the age of 65 years. Their aim is to empower peer support networks and to be self supportive.  Visits have been arranged to businesses to raise awareness and highlight the difficulties faced with Dementia. Ashleigh has started a Day Centre for Dementia sufferers and there is no age limit. Day support is offered on a 1:4 ratio.

 Dementia Support service is available for Houghton and Washington and Age UK Essence Service and Sunderland Carers Dementia Support Workers are available for support.  Work is also linked with the Dementia Action Alliance Team at Newcastle to promote awareness.

Pallion Action Group  The Job Club continues to prove successful and to reflect this it has been decided to increase the Community Job Clubs.

 Clubs will be extended a morning per week, held on Monday’s, Tuesday’s and Thursday’s – these are drop in sessions. Afternoon sessions are reserved for 1:1 appointments.

Lambton SYC  The Centre remains busy and Boxing remains popular.  Funding has been provided to widen gates on the playing fields, this will enable events to be accommodated on the field and the Centre

3

to be used as a hub. It is hoping that work will commence over the Christmas period whilst it is a quiet.

Bill Leach, Pennywell Community Centre

 Trampoline groups continue to be popular. The Community Club of

the Year award included Pennywell, Grindon Hall, Tudor Trove, Link Pallion who have supported City festivals and a special Thanks goes to Rob. Festivals held in and the City Centre were pleasing.  Teachers Award Courses are being held to coach up to a Level 2 certificate.  The recent strong winds caused storm damage, causing damage to 3 of the centre windows which required replacing. This caused chaos as the Centre had to be closed, there had also been a

problem with the central heating, however the Centre is back on

track and is functioning as normal. th  Bill advised one of the girls who was a 2012 Olympian, who is 7 in the world championships has the possibility of securing a place to attend the Rio Olympics in 2016.  Cllr Gibson and everyone at the meeting extended sincere Congratulations to Bill Leach for securing the ‘Community Coach of the Year Award’ which is fabulous recognition for the ongoing work Bill does in the West Area – Very Well Done!

Jubilee Centre  Jemma advised ‘Tea and Teach’ sessions are to commence in January 2016 in the Community Café, this will be a drop in session and will enable IT equipment to be used.  Local volunteers are offering their assistance and referrals are welcome.

A690 Youth Initiative  Sessions remain busy and on a Tuesday and a Friday 130 young people attend each Youth Club Session.  The Centre has secured five new PC’s.

Sports & Leisure  An excellent night was held recently at the Silksworth Community Pool & Tennis Centre which was the venue for the BBC NE

Personality of the Year Award.

 A good response was received by all, the venue was a very good choice and it is a strong possibility that the event could be held there every year.

Grindon Church Community Project  Dorothy took the opportunity to thank Sunderland ICT Community Engagement Team who supported an IT Open Day at Grindon. Every Wednesday and Friday’s PC’s are provided for use.  A new group has been formed named ‘Northern Storm Cheerleaders’. 4

 An application has been made to convert Church space for multi purpose use, this would include the high vaulted ceiling.  A New Group has been formed for children age 2-7years, named ‘Dance Bunnies’.  Volunteers have continued to fund raise and a successful play was held in conjunction with the Youth Group and A690; so much so the children are asking for another one.  The Choir remains busy singing in concerts and at Sainsbury’s both at Halloween and during the Christmas period.  A Chris tingle Christmas Carol service is to be held at the Church on Sunday 13th December 2015 – everyone is welcome.

Grindon Young People’s Project  Ray Knox took the opportunity to inform everyone that Grindon is not closing and with the help of funds the Centre is being re- invented.  Groups on offer include, Karate, Boot Camp and three successful Dance Classes continue to be attended.  The Centre works in close partnership with the local Junior Football Club who regularly use the sports hall.  Grants have enabled facilities to be provided and groups to be established. The Centre is in a very strong financial position and Ray thanked everyone for their support.  Cllr Gibson congratulated Ray Knox for his ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ which he received in November 2015. Ray has provided 50 years of continuous service. Ray is extremely pleased to be recognised for his work. Very Well Done Ray!

7. Any Other Business

 West Area Committee are providing funding for a project linked with Helen Peverley, ‘Sports and Memories’.  Library staff are to receive training and VCS members are supporting work with children and young people linked in with the Olympic 2012 legacy.  Helen discussed the torch made of petals sculptured for the 2012 Olympics by a studio in the North East. Petals from the torch are to be transported here for an event to be held next year and this is being supported by the NGA Department. Cllr Gibson would like to wish everyone his very best wishes for Christmas and the New Year.

8. Date, time and venue of next meeting Wednesday 13th January 2016- 10.00am Silksworth Community Association, Silksworth, Sunderland Minutes checked and approved by:

Date of approval:

5