Agenda and minutes

Apologies received from Barry (Co-Chair) and Rob (Independent).

Item 5 – This should read Errol Flynn Film House, rather than ‘Erin Flynn’.

Minutes were agreed as a true record, subject to the change above.

Nominations: Matthew Toresen.

Matthew Toresen was elected as the Community Co-chair of the LGBTQ Forum.  

Kevin Harding spoke to the forum about Stonewall’s Straight Allies initiative. From the Stonewall perspective, this is aimed at the work place for the purpose of increasing inclusivity, and in addition to promoting gay role models, adds another dimension to the cause of LGBTQ rights in the workplace. A straight ally can be from any level of an organisation, and requires no specific skill set. Other Councils, such as Bury Council, have launched a Straight Allies project, which appeals to staff to sign up, but also to the public through their public facing website.

There is also a Stonewall campaign, called ‘No Bystanders’ – the video for this campaign, as well as further information, can be found here: http://nobystanders.org.uk/

The forum discussed taking on a ‘Straight Allies’ campaign, and extending it to be a partnership project between communities and organisations. This could be promoted at community events, encouraging people to sign up to the concept of being a straight ally, as a way of behaving. It was discussed that the Straight Allies project, in addition to the No Bystanders campaign, could be effective at the Umbrella Fair, opening up the LGBTQ tent to be inclusive to all communities. The Straight Allies project could be taken around to the whole festival, rather than just being part of the LGBTQ tent, integrating with all at the festival. No Bystanders pledge cards and video can also be utilised to campaign for diversity and inclusion as a whole for all communities.

It was agreed that it is key to have organisations standing as Straight Allies also; Healthwatch and NHFT showed interest in this.

The forum agreed that it would be powerful to have a symbol pin badge to represent the Straight Allies project, like Stonewall’s Star or NSPCC’s Green Dot. ACTION: All to bring ideas and designs for the symbol to the next meeting.

John asked whether this could be extended County wide. Cllr King felt that as the forum is for Northampton Borough, this should be kept to Borough communities to begin with. ACTION: Cllr King agreed to look into the possibility of taking the project County wide.

ACTION: AM to add Straight Allies project to the action plan.

ACTION: VR/AM to share No Bystanders project with the other NBC Community Forums.

Laura Musson spoke to the forum about Call Care - a County wide monitoring service which provides a 24 hour, 365 day a year instant response service for vulnerable people, who may need peace of mind while living independently. Further details around the Call care package can be found here: http://www.northampton.gov.uk/callcare, or please phone 01604 230227 for more information

ACTION: Alice to change wording on action plan under Umbrella Fair. This has now been changed from ‘Northampton Borough Event’ to ‘Northampton Community Event’.

·        IDAHO

ACTION: Alice to make this action plan green – now complete

·        Umbrella Fair

ACTION: Ian to provide a cost to Vicki/Alice for the LGBTQ Forum presence at Umbrella Fair.

ACTION: Cllr King/Vicki to look into Umbrella Fair being included in the Northampton ‘What’s on’ magazine.

·        Straight Allies project

ACTION: Alice to get costs for pin badges.

Action plans will be sent to the leadership for approval next month.

As above – as the only nomination for Community Co-Chair, the Forum agreed to elect Matthew Toresen into the position.

Will - Out There Youth Group will be participating in Northampton Carnival next month. Their float is going to be themed around ‘A Celebration of Equal Marriage’. They are short of adult help, and are looking for adults to volunteer to walk with the float for health and safety, and also to give out information leaflets etc. If anyone woild like to help/support, please contact Will or the Lowdown.

Out There Youth Group are also looking into setting up an Out There Plus group for older people (19^th birthday onwards)

Tendai - NHFT is launching a consultation event at the end of June, which will look into whether NHFT are providing fair and accessible services for the community. Carers week is also coming up – more information to follow.

John (NHFT) highlighted this month’s edition of the Alzheimer’s Society magazine to the forum, where he is featured in an article about Gay Carers. ‘Living with Dementia’ magazine can be found online here: http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?documentID=2520

There is also some research taking place at the University of Nottingham about LGBTQ people’s experiences of End of Life and their care needs. There will be a workshop taking place – details can be found here: http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/nmpresearch/lastouting/home.aspx

Daniel – The Royal and Derngate are gathering stories for their Story Hunt, which is a theatrical walking tour of the town centre. They would like stories from the LGBTQ community about, what it has been growing up as an LGBTQ person in Northampton, and an LGBTQ perspective on Northampton heritage, and experiences of things that have changed in the town. More information can be found here: http://www.royalandderngate.co.uk/Productions/125364/131242/StoryHunt?view=Standard

Lesbian Line have been holding a quiz night every altnerate Thursday at the Labour Club; more information around this and other activity can be found here: http://www.lesbianline.co.uk/calendar.php

Matthew – Matthew would like the forum to write a response to the Police following the closure of the Hate Crime Unit. Matthew has been accepted onto the Faith Based and Communities Advisory Panel, set up by Helen Mason at the PCC, where he will be representing the LGBTQ Community. Matthew would like to raise the closure of the Hate Crime Unit as a concern on behalf of the forum, and will follow up whether the petition organised by Anjona Roy has been noted by the right people.

Rod – LGBTQ Lead for Healthwatch Northamptonshire; LGBTQ issues are now being raised in health and social care. Rod would like to look into how many other Healthwatch organisations across the country work with the LGBTQ community.

Lee – Felt that there is a barrier for deaf people to access services at NBC. Lee has experienced difficulties in a variety of services. ACTION – Lee to put this in an email to Vicki, who will follow this up. Rod added that Healthwatch Northamptonshire has raised that deaf people are not being able to access literature in health and social care, and this is being followed up.

Phil – SOLAR, colleagues are trained in rapid testing.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

·        Action Plan feedback

·        Umbrella Fair planning

·        Straight Allies pin badges – designs and ideas

·        Discussion around International Coming Out Day and the Inspirational LGBTQ Award.

Tuesday 8^th July, 6:30-8:30pm, Holding Room, The Guildhall

Tuesday, 8^th July from 6:30pm – 8:30pm in the Holding Room, The Guildhall.