Agenda and minutes

Apologies received from Jenny Campbell and Viv Dixen.

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

Following the meeting, Mick Stamper asked for the below amendments to be made to the minutes of the last meeting:

Item 5 paragraph 1 – ‘The force is happy to look into this decision in another 6 months’ time and will continue to review the service as they do for all other areas‘. Northamptonshire Police will review the new arrangements in place for Hate Crime in six months, not the overall decision to remove the hate crime unit.

Item 5 paragraph 11& 14 - Rather than ‘Community Impact Assessment’, this should read ‘Equality Impact Assessment’.

Matters arising

It was discussed that it is important that personal experiences with Hate Crime are fed back to the Police, in order for them to pick up on issues as they go through the next six months.

Northampton Borough Council is bringing together a partnership between 38 organisations with the task of putting together a wellbeing partnership bid.  SF is looking to expand this partnership. All issues within each community are largely the same, employment, education, mental health etc. Difference is that some communities know how to access services, and services are easy to access. Other communities may find it difficult to access services. NBC would like to partner with local organisations in order to deliver services and to ensure all are able to access these services. NBC would act as a broker and coordinator in order to bring organisations together. SF would like to engage with wider organisations – please get in touch with SF if interested. NBC are also working with VIN, to engage with community groups that are experts in their fields.

It was noted that NHFT have also put in a bid. Both organisations will work together whatever the result of the bid. The commissioning outcome will be decided by 22nd October, and we expect the new service to start by 1st April next year.

Northamptonshire Heath Foundation Trust as an organisation is responsible for mental health and wellbeing services. The Learn 2 B service is now run by the NCC adult education department. Learn 2 B offers free groups and classes, including wellbeing, yoga, fishing, crafts etc.

Changing Minds (NHFT) is set up to help people, aged 16 and over, with mild to moderate mental health difficulties. It is recognised that there is a stigma around mental health difficulties in some communities, and as a result that Changing Minds staff work in a culturally sensitive way. Changing Minds has a firm view of how mental wellbeing is maintained, and offers a number of services and therapies to improve mental wellbeing.

In order to access the Changing Minds service, individuals need to ask to be referred to the wellbeing worker in their doctor’s surgery. At this point, the individual will be asked to complete a form, which will score the level of need the person has. These forms are in a number of languages, and all staff at Changing Minds are trained in working with interpreters, and provide free interpreters if needed.

If after having a session with a wellbeing worker the person feels better, they can be signposted to other services, support services and also to VCS support organisations. If the person does not get better, they can be stepped up to a longer term therapist service.

Changing Minds does not offer a specific service for family members in coping with someone with a mental health difficulty. However, if appropriate, family carers can come along to appointment. Furthermore, it may be that the family carer may score high enough themselves for support services.

The services offered by Changing Minds vary depending on the needs of the individual – some people are seen on a 1 to 1 basis, others are referred to group work sessions. Changing Minds are also looking into the possibility of offering some telephone groups, and online internet groups, in the future – this is not currently offered.

The forum discussed the service further, raising difficulties with getting to see a GP, having to go through receptionists before given an appointment, gaps for young people with mental wellbeing difficulties etc. JR advised that Healthwatch are doing a survey on GPs and these issues should be fed into this. VR advised that NBC now fund the Lowdown who offer counselling services to young people, however there is still a big gap in the system for young people with mental health difficulties.

LJ offered to come to talk to other community groups if this would be beneficial. They have spoken to NBA and Dostiyo, willing to come to others. VR recommended visiting residents groups, talking to Councillors etc. for their surgeries. LJ said that the service has an average of 11-12,000 referrals a year, and is therefore not short of referrals, but they are trying to get to the people who haven’t heard of the service before.

Project Diversity

As Suzanna Storey was not present, it was agreed to defer discussion on this project to the next meeting.  

As an overview, the vision of project diversity is to celebrate and recognise diversity and differences within the community, in the form of a documentary. Suzanna had ideas around turning this into a stage production and film.

Action: VR and AM to pull together a working group.

Diwali

Saturday 18th October will see the 14th annual celebration of Diwali in Northampton. Following a successful arts council bid there are new builds to add to the parade. If anyone would like to bring a display, or if any groups/performers who would like to come and do a performance, please let Neelam know.

World War 1 project

Event is scheduled for 23rd October, in the evening. In terms of funding, the bid to NCF was unfortunately unsuccessful, but RH still determined to deliver the event. RH looking for venues currently, but the evening will involve a key note speaker, poetry and music. RH will send leaflet to AM to circulate once ready.

Action: AM to support in looking for money.

Multi-cultural festival

This event is taking place next April or May – the date is still being finalised. Zimwomen would appreciate participation from as many communities as possible. Zimwomen are hoping to hold the event in the market square in the day and Guildhall in the evening. VR advised Zimwomen to avoid Purdah, which runs 5 weeks before the general election on May 8^th.     

GW – UAA will be holding an Africa Day on Monday 24^th May.

NA – Navarati – 9 days festival. Action: AM to circulate flyer. NIFF interfaith week – will be providing lunch at hope centre Tues 18^th November, and on Weds 19^th or Thurs 20^th there will be an evening event – details to follow.

IA – representative from Northampton Ghanaian Union. NGU is trying to contact anyone at the Black History association to discuss Black History month plans. IA advised to speak to RH.

AA – Eid-Al-Adha will be on 5^th Oct or 4^th Oct, will know 9 days before. The plans for this are for prayers to be held at the Racecourse, but there will not be the big celebration after. There will be different communities involved. There is also an ANSS student achievement award ceremony - will send dates to AM.

AM – International Coming Out Day event Saturday 11^th October, Royal and Derngate. Also, Guildhall tours are being held 13^th-17^th October for Local Democracy Week – if anyone is interested please contact AM to book on.

RH – Nubiwise – can deliver education programmes in schools

Cllr Malpas – Guide dogs – 9^th Oct world vision day – street collection around the town centre.

AW would like the forum to share information, resources, venues etc. for member organisations to access.

Thursday 27^th November, 6:30-8:30pm, The Holding Room

Thursday 15^th January, 6:30-8:30pm, The Holding Room

Thursday 27^th November 6:30-8:30pm, The Holding Room

Thursday 15^th January 6:30-8:30pm, The Holding Room

Thursday 12^th March 6:30-8:30pm, The Holding Room