Bolton Voluntary & Community Sector Forum

Minutes

Wednesday 16th November, 12.00pm for lunch and networking. 12:45 start

The Hub, Bold Street, Bolton

Present / Apologies: See pages 3 and 4

1. Introduction:

Phil Mason introduced himself and invited members to share any news and forthcoming events. Code of conduct for forum summarised and PM reminded people to fill in demographic / feedback forms before leaving the meeting. Suzanne Hilton mentioned that Age UK are launching a ‘foot care’ service to help people maintain healthy feet, improving mobility sessions will be running at the Thicketford Centre and Farnworth sites.

2. Greater Manchester Police Citizens Contract Community Consultation

Amanda Coleman (GMP Head of Communications) introduced herself and provided a presentation about the Citizens Contract. As a result of cuts to funding, GMP want to consult with the community around better use of resources, including technology. Future of policing will look at improving the workforce by taking an integrated approach, working alongside voluntary sector. Key focus will be vulnerability and introducing a citizen’s contract, looking at what GMP can do and how the public can take part. Brief animated clip around the Citizens Contract was shown; a link to this will be circulated along with minutes. Focus will be on who to contact if you have a problem and other services that may be involved in supporting with concerns. For example, when it is appropriate to contact the Police and identifying other agencies that may be able to help. Questionnaires / feedback forms were left on tables. Group discussions took place and the overall feeling was that the Police and voluntary sector can work together, in particular working with vulnerable groups.

3.Bolton Young Persons \Housing Scheme – Our Achievements This Year. Maura Jackson CEO BYPHS (Bolton Young People’s Housing Service)

Maura provided a case study from a previous client who had used BYPHS services and provided a presentation, overview and case studies to demonstrate the types of support accessed by young people being supported by the organisation. BYPHS were recently awarded Investors in People Gold Standard and will be working to the platinum standard. Highlights of achievements include an ex resident getting a 1st class honours degree in Science. £5,000 was also raised as part of a ‘sleepout’, 350 young people have been re-housed and a photography exhibition took place in February. Group were nominated for 3rd sector nomination as well as Bolton / Bury business awards capping off a very positive year. Activities have included Young People holding job interview panels and 5-aside tournaments. Maura asked groups to make contact with BYPHS if they wanted to share learning around their achievements or their experience of achieving Investors in People Gold. Phil Mason thanked Maura for such an inspirational presentation

4. Big Lottery Reaching Communities – Nasir Hussain, Big Lottery Funding Officer

Nasir introduced himself and his role as Big Lottery Funding Officer covering 76% of Greater Manchester. He will be facilitating a ‘Reaching Communities’ workshop and webinar on the 8th December at 1.30pm. Big Lottery are changing the process of Reaching Communities / Awards For All. Both programmes are open throughout the year. The amount that can be awarded for Reaching Communities is £500,000. Themes going forward will encourage applications that provide early intervention and reduce demand on services. As funders, Big Lottery are going to be looking at the strengths and assets in the community and find out where people are accessing support. David Bagley from Urban Outreach spoke about the Lottery being accessible to groups and the fact that funding provided some stability for the next five years for Urban Outreach. Graham Heywood who had a grant application turned down asked whether A4A could be used to pay salaries, Nasir confirmed that costs for sessional work can be included. The total amount that can be applied for through Awards 4 All will be increasing from 10k to 20k.

5. Celebrate Funding, Mass Bike Ride and Fun Run, Sue Hayes, Programme Manager USN Bolton Arena

Sue announced that the group had been successful in being awarded Celebrate Funding to deliver a Horwich Festival of racing and were awarded £8769.00 to deliver the project. Group are looking for people to get involved eg, stewarding. Bolton CVS will help promote the event and any opportunities. The event will engage with young people and will include a bike ride and races. There will be 2 races for families to get involved, especially those looking to become more active. Sue will circulate contact details and they will be setting up weekly groups in Breightmet and Westhoughton. They are looking for 5 families that are looking to become more active and would like the families to represent different communities across Bolton. BYPHS and Bolton Adult Autism groups expressed an interest in getting involved

6. Update from The Vision Partnership

Dave Bagley provided an update, 2 early adopter sites have been chosen in Johnson Fold and Halliwell. Aim will be to build on community assets and in the 2 areas a model will be developed before delivering services. The Vision Partnership will tie into Devolution Manchester. Key areas of work will involve getting people into employment. A Vision Conference will take place in January 2017 at the refurbished Albert Halls. Other themes going forward will include Active 2017, something the Vision Partnership will contribute to as well as themes around Starting Well, Living Well and Ageing Well

7. Any Other Business

Date of next forum – Tuesday 7th Feb 12.00 – 14.30pm

Attendees:

1.  Roselle Gorman – Bolton Adult Autism Support

2.  Graham Heywood - Bolton Adult Autism Support

3.  Samsara Brooks – Bolton Adult Autism Support

4.  Nick Russell – Halliwell Organic Growers

5.  Jim Boydel – Deane Scouts / Guides

6.  Tracy Hindley – The Box TV

7.  Francesca Platt – The Box TV

8.  Phil Newsham – Amnesty International

9.  Dave Bagley – Urban Outreach Bolton

10. Susan Whittle – HIW Community & Environment Group

11. Harold Kershner – Healthwatch Bolton

12. Jen Carney – Bolton Lads and Girls Club

13. Zoe Hill – Bolton Carers Support

14. Ann Bellamy – Grace Church Bolton

15. Mark Flannery – Greater Manchester Police

16. Nasir Hussain – Big Lottery

17. Suzanne Hilton – Age UK Bolton

18. Ron Spedding – Great Lever Bowling Club

19. Helen Tomlinson – Bolton CVS

20. John Aitken – Bolton CVS

21. Abdi Abdullahi – BSCA

22. Maura Jackson – Bolton Young Persons Housing Sheme

23. Elaine Jones – MHIST

24. Marion Moulton – MHIST

25. Maruf Abdurahman – England Oromo Community

26. Sue Hayes – Bolton Arena

27. Amanda Coleman - GMP

Apologies:

1.  Vicki Ramsden – Bolton At Home

2.  Carol Fildes – Halliwell Befriending Service

3.  Jackie Hallon - Halliwell Befriending Service

4.  Debra Jones - Bolton Under Fives Forum

5.  John Moorhouse - Relate GMN

6.  Peter Firth - GM Carers Trust

7.  David Houghton - Bolton Cardiac Support Group

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