Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 30th November 2016

Present

Jean Williams – Happy Project (Chair) / Jo Jacklin – My Confidence/Daisy
Peter De Oude – Norfolk Carers Support / Diane Sutcliffe – Norfolk Carers Support
Richard Adams – Men’s Shed / Anna Mucha – Watton Children’s Centre
Gillian Roberts – Simply Breath / Rebecca Lumbis – Breckland Council
Marty Elliott – Norfolk Carers Support / Katie Powell – Dementia Cafe
Amelia Worley – Age UK Norfolk / Karen McAleese – Norfolk County Council
Carole Adam – Pets as Therapy

Apologies

Anita Beckett – Benjamin Foundation / Michelle Turner – Growing Buddies
Leigh Taylor – Daisy Programme / Beryl Bunning – Watton Town Council
Suzanne Rhind – Wayland Partnership Development Trust / Rev’d Gerry Foster – St Mary’s Church
David Nichols – Watton Library / Pam Morgan – Growing Together
Adam Bracher - WEA / Elaine Jefferies – Health Visitors
Item No. / Detail / Action
1. / Welcome and Introductions
Jean welcomed everyone to the meeting and also thanked them for attending. Jean requested that everyone introduced themselves and who they represented.
2. / Matters arising from previous minutes
None
3. / Peter De Oude – Norfolk Carers Support Presentation
Peter explained about “Think Carer” in North Norfolk which is a concept which Norfolk Carers Support would like to see extended into existing groups, to raise awareness, providing support and training for carers. If anyone needs further information, please do speak with Peter. Jean thanked Peter for his presentation.
4. / Current Projects
  • Growing Together – project is progressing. Norfolk Wildlife Trust are involved with producing surveys of churches. The parishes of Saham and Carbrooke have come forward with suggestions for unloved areas to be re-generated. There is to be an Acorn Fayre held on 21stJanuary at the Queens Hall to promote the local environment and work of key environmental groups and charities. Two young volunteers have helped to clear Bridle Road play area.

  • Dementia Café – has been losing Clients through death. Carers are able to meet and share their experiences and receive support from each other. Issues regarding incontinence pads have been resolved for carers. The Group meets on 1st & 3rd Tuesday each month in Christian Community Centre, on the High Street from 10-12. The Group is also looking for funding to enable the group to keep running. Volunteers are needed to sit and chat, memory books, play games etc.draughts/chess etc.

  • Men’s Shed – has been running for approximately 4 months. With the help of Jean and Suzanne, premises have now been secured at the old army cadet building in Church Walk, which they are now renting through the MOD. Membership is increasing each time they are open. Workshop for carpentry/metal work to be up and running shortly. Richard expressed concerns regarding people with dementia attending the group, they need to attend with a carer, as the Men’s Shed are not able to facilitate looking after them. The group would welcome younger people 18+ and they are planning Men’s trips out.

  • Happy Project – Jean reported the Men’s Shed comes under the Happy Project funding. The Happy Project aim is to meet the needs of rural isolation. There is an active Games Session on a Friday afternoon held at the Library. The Social Group (WASPS) has been meeting and at the 2nd meeting there were 12 people. Jean stressed it is not a lonely-hearts club but where likeminded people can join with others for trips to Cinema/Theatre/Walks etc.Next meeting is 6th December 2016 at Hare & Barrel. On the 12th December, they are going to the Quiz Night at the Dog & Partridge in Great Hockham. The Family Arts & Crafts Group at Great Cressingham is not working, only 2 people attended. Jean is looking to move the group to Ashill on a Saturday morning to see if any further interest can be attracted. The Project covers Little & Great Cressingham, Ashill and parts of Watton.

5. / Attendees Updates
Rebecca Lumbis – Breckland Council – Communities Team
Silver Social has been awarded funding from the Arts Council for older communities 3 year project, starting in May 2017. There will be a presentation in January’s meeting. There are also funding grants available from Breckland Council through Norfolk Community Foundations website.
Jo Jacklin – My Confidence/Daisy Programme
We have run a course in Thetford and we have a new course starting in January 2017 in Dereham. Freedom Programme courses are also in the process of being set up for 2017.
Anna Mucha – Watton Children’s Centre
Activities run through the Children’s Centre are play, learning and wellbeing. Movers/Shakers, Baby Clinic, Story Café, Wellbeing Café. The centre has baby weighing facilities. Anna also runs Joy of Food courses. The centre has a Facebook page and website. They would also like to hold copies of the Wayland News, it was suggested that Anna contact Julian Horn to arrange this.
Gillian Roberts – Simply Breathe
Had 4 people who turned up over 12 weeks. The sessions aim to calm the mind, reduce stress and anxiety. Currently running at Swaffham Community Centre on a Wednesday 10-11.
Carole Adam – Pets as Therapy
Demand is as ever expanding and there are not enough dogs. Their work is to improve mental/physical heath. They have been working with MIND, Men’s Mental Health Day and Wellbeing Library. Carol has 100+ volunteers and is participating in the “In Good Company” through Norfolk County Council’s campaign regarding loneliness.
Marty Elliott – Norfolk Carers Support
For unpaid carers in Norfolk. They can visit people at home, in a café or out for a walk. Can advise on carers respite, attendance allowance and blue badge applications.
Amelia Worley – Age UK Norfolk
Advised that all services are dementia friendly. Admiral Nurses work with people who have dementia. The Dementia Café in Watton was launched 2 years ago. Age UK can provide workshops to raise awareness of Dementia. They would like to come back and re-involve business and re-invigorate the awareness of dementia.
Karen McAleese – Capacity Manager - Norfolk County Council – Early Help
In Thetford there appears to be a lack of support and a strategy for dealing with Teenage pregnancy, working group being set up to look at the issues and actions needed. They are also looking at Carbooke to try and develop the area. Another issue they are looking at is regarding neglect.
6. / Any Other Business
Death Café – this is an idea raised by a member of the public via the Partnership website as a suggestion for a new facility for people suffering bereavement in the area. It is based on an established model operating across the country. It was felt that this needs to be investigated a bit more but the general consensus of opinion was that it was a good idea.
7. / Date and Time of Next Meeting
Tuesday 31st January 2017 at 10am. Presentations planned from Oliver Cruikshank and Stefan Clifford.

Signed and dated as a true and accurate record.

……………………………………………………………… Dated ………………………………………