Meeting Notes -Darlington Organisation (DOT)

Thursday 1st December 2016 12.00pm-2.00pm

The Studio Room – Dolphin Centre

Present:

Carole SobkowiakSoroptimists

Alison BurtonDurham Deafened Support

Susan CarterAge UK Darlington

Debra WrightCancer Research UK – Guest Speaker

Saeed IqbalEMTEP – Guest Speaker

Emma Crawford MooreDISC Young Carers

Melanie KirkDAD Carers Support Service

Martin WebsterDarlington Borough Council

Rachel OsbaldestonDarlington Borough Council

Sue LomaxYMCA Tees Valley

Sajna MiahHWD Volunteer

Rumi BegumHWD Volunteer

Margaret WeeksDarlington Talking Newspaper

Lisa SheppersonHWD

Jodie CraggsHWD

Apologies:Wendy TarelliDarlington Borough Council

Janice McColmTees Valley Rural Community Council

David SmithDarlington Talking Newspaper

ActionBy / TargetDate
1.Welcome and Introductions
JC welcomed all to the meeting and informed due to time restrictions for some members of the group item 5 ‘Around the room updates’ would be completed first.
2.Apologies
As above
3.Notes from the last meeting.
The minutes from the last meeting were agreed as a true
reflection of the meeting
4.Guest Speaker – Debra Wright – Cancer Research UK
Debra gave the members a presentation providing information on her role as a Senior Nurse on the North East Roadshow Team. The Team deliver community engagement activities with the aim of increasing an understanding of cancer prevention and early diagnosis in local communities. Debra gave the group some background information of how and why the roadshows were developed.
They have been running since 2006 and were set up in partnership with the Marie Keating Foundation. There are currently 4 teams around the country who visit some of the UK’s most deprived and diverse communities. They are supported by celebrities Ronan Keating, who set up the Marie Keating Foundation in Ireland, after losing his mum to cancer and also Peter Andre, who set up the Peter Andre Foundation after losing his brother to kidney cancer in 2012. The Marie Keating Foundation currently funds the Scotland and North East Units.
Debra went on to talk about the training programme they provide to community based health staff and volunteers ‘Talk Cancer’. This equips and empowers them to raise cancer awareness in their own communities and also reach the wider public through the work they already do. Debra also brought in a range of leaflets for members to take away.
5. Guest Speaker –Saeed Iqbul - EMTEP
Saeed spoke to the group about his organisation, their work and charity. EMTEP, Ethnic Minorities Training and Education Project is a registered charity set up in 2005 who are involved with a range of initiatives focused around BME communities across North East England. The core team work with Statutory and Governmental bodies, Universities, VCO’s and Regional and National Entities. Their projects include Commissioned Work, Educational Support, Health and Wellbeing and Young People Community. Their ethos is responsibility, Empowerment and Progress. EMTEP wants to actively collaborate and work effectively with all sectors, public, private and third, to offer a holistic and inclusive approach. Saeed played a short video clip ‘Boxing Clever’ which highlighted a successful boxing project open to youngsters from a wide range of ethnicities and backgrounds. Emma Crawford-Moore (DISC) was very keen to network with Saeed with regard to engaging with their BME community which they were finding particularly difficult. Debra Wright was also keen to work with Saeed.
JC asked SI whether he had any projects running in Darlington? SI responded that the majority of projects presently were in Newcastle, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough and Stockton.
To see Saeed’s video please see link below:

Please find attached with the minutes Saeed and Debra’s
Presentations.
JC thanked both guest speakers, on behalf of the group, for
their informative presentations. / LS / 1/12/16
6. Around the Room Updates
Durham Deafened Support - ABinformed the group that the service has been going through some recent changes and updates.
There will be some new craft groups taking place at the Havelock Centre and at Richards Court Centre. A new yoga group will be starting also at the Richards Centre and AB reminded the group that referrals need to go through DDS.
DISC – ECM informed that DISC are working with their young people to develop a new pathway for young carer’s aged between 5-25 years old.
They are also working closely with Darlington Association on Disability (DAD) and the Alzheimer’s Society.
ECM reported that they are trying to reach and be more proactive within the BME community.
She reminded the members that groups run on a monthly basis and there will still be groups running throughout the holidays.
Darlington Talking Newspaper–MW Informed the member’s that DTN has been holding their coffee morning groups at Park Place Community Centre. She wanted to express that the venue was excellent and at a charge of £5 per hour was very good value for money. She informed that they had also received some of the residents to the group.
She went on to say that the bag pack event which had been held in Asda had raised £247. There are further bag pack fund raisers planned for Sainsbury’s and Asda in the coming weeks. MW informed that numbers for the group seem to be in decline and that referrals from the Hospital and Social Services do not appear to be coming through.
MW left some leaflets with LS/HWD and handed some out to members attending today’s meeting.
Soroptimists –CS attended today’s meeting and updated the group that they have been looking at issue’s that effect woman, such as trafficking and modern day slavery, these topics will be something that the Soroptimists will be focusing on over the coming months.
DBC, Public Health– RO updated that a 2-day course giving training and support to teachers around child mental health had taken place. This had been very successful with 64 individuals being taught mental health first aid. Positive feedback across all schools involved had been received and this also provided an excellent opportunity for networking, connecting and pooling of resources.
RO reported that in December an “Anti-Stigma” campaign will be running. Art work and posters have been developed and designed by the Darlington College students and will be displayed on a number of Darlington bus shelters between 19th December and 6th January.
RO also took the opportunity to share with members that today (01.12.16) is World Aids Day.
YMCA Tees Valley– SL gave the group a brief overview of the things YMCA offers, such as seeking accommodation for 16-25 year olds, training packages and various community projects.
She stated that they are always looking out for volunteers who can offer friendly advice, mentoring and advocate on behalf of young people. SL informed that if anyone knows of any individual that need their services, referrals can be made through her.
JC/HWD asked if they were looking for volunteers presently and if there was an age limit. SL responded that there was no age limit but volunteers would need necessary experience and skills and that volunteers would only be tasked to work with service users who were classed as low risk.
JC said that she could circulate SL’s contact details amongst
our participants and networks and reminded members that
services can be advertised on HWD’s e-bulletin which is
published every Wednesday.
DAD Carer’s Support Service - MK updated that there had been a Health & Well-being event on Monday, consisting of an exercise class and lunch, Service Users could just drop in.
MK informed thatsome work is being carried out around personalised funding for carer’s, they are looking at how they can offer longer term services, rather than just spa’s and treatments and trying to offer carer’s whatever it is that they think will help them.
She went on to inform that the Independent Living Hub are offering carer breaks, there are some free sessions available. The Male Carer’s group are currently looking for more gentleman to join them. The group enjoy a lunch every month.
Age UK – SC reported that Age UK are presently putting on a new luncheon Club, which offers individuals the chance to enjoy a healthy and nutritious meal and also learn about health and substantial eating.
She informed about the ‘Keeping Warm’ project which, of course, is very appropriate at the moment, aimed at the over 65’s, helping them to stay warm and reduce drafts. Individuals can get some financial help up to £50 for equipment.
SC updated members that there is a knitting group starting that meets at Bradbury House, Fridays 1-3 pm which is opposite the Mecure Hotel.
DBC, Child & Adult Services –MW introduced himself and give a brief overview of his role as Workforce Development Commissioner. MW informed the group about a fairly new group that has been in existence for around two years and has presently between 20-30 organisations involved. The aim of the group is to work together collectively to pool training and resources. The group meets every other month. He wanted to come to the DOT group today to extend an open offer to the organisations today to join the group.
He talked about perhaps having a virtual group as he understands that people have very busy agenda’s and cannot always get out to attend meetings. He informed that there is a newsletter that is send out that could be utilised to advertise what organisations can offer in training and what training needs each organisation requires. He expressed that by networking and connecting each organisation can help and train another and in return they get there training needs met. MK commented that DAD are currently seeking some volunteer technicians and would that be something that could go on the newsletter? MW responded ‘absolutely’.
HWD, BME Health Connectors – SM gave the group an overview of the work of the Health Connectors explaining that very often the BME communities are left out and let down because of the many barriers they face.
SM informed that they are working with lots of community groups to find out and assess their needs. Many of the BME community feel isolated with nothing to offer. But by supporting these groups the Health Connectors have been able to arrange a variety of training courses such as, English, ICT and driving lessons, enabling some individuals to go on to further education.
One of the main roles of the Health Connectors is to make sure vital information is reaching these groups and that they receive the right help for their needs, SM went on to explain how they had helped a Muslin lady who was suffering from Dementia to get the help she required, one of their success stories.
She concluded that the Health Connectors will continue to remain focused in supporting the BME communities in every way they can. / JC / 01/12/16
7.Healthwatch Darlington Update
JC gave the group an update that HWD had been carrying out some focus groups to gather information about smoking habits. She explained that Darlington Borough Council are remodelling their stop smoking services and had asked HWD to support them. As well as the focus groups there is an on-line survey that individuals can participate in via the link below:

JC asked the group if they had any family or friends that were smokers to ask them to please complete the survey.
Following a brief conversation with regards to the next meeting in March, David Smith was suggested as a guest speaker. HWD will invite David as a guest speaker to the next meeting in March.
A question was asked with regard to the Healthwatch directory. JC said she would look in to it and find out when it will be available. / HWD
JC / 02/03/17
02/03/17

DATE OF NEXT MEETING: Thursday 2nd March 2017, 12:00pm-2:00pm, Studio Room, Dolphin Centre.