SOUTH WEST & PENTLANDS VOLUNTARY SECTOR FORUM
MINUTES
20 th January 2015
St Martin’s Resource Centre
DATES FOR DIARIES
SW & Pentlands VSF 21 April 2015 Tuesday, 12-2 pm [email protected]
SW & Pentlands VSF 21 July 2015 Tuesday, 12-2 pm [email protected]
SW & Pentlands VSF 20 October 2015 Tuesday, 12-2 pm [email protected]
SW & Pentlands VSF 19 January 2016 Tuesday, 12-2 pm [email protected]
South West NP 24 February 2015
Tuesday, 7.00 pm
Stenhouse St Aidans
NP Board Members
SW Community Safety
16 February 2015
Monday 6.30 pm
Stenhouse St Aidans
Panel Members
SW Community Safety
18 May 2015 Monday 6.30 pm
Stenhouse St Aidans
Panel Members
SW Funding Panel
11 March 2015
Wednesday 2.00 pm
SWNO Panel Members
SW Funding Panel
03 June 2015 Wednesday 2.00 pm
SWNO Panel Members
SW Funding Panel
30 September 2015
Wednesday 2.00 pm
SWNO Panel Members
SW Funding Panel
20 January 2016
Wednesday 2.00 pm
SWNO Panel Members
SW Transport & Environment
30 January 2015
Friday - 12.30 Gate 55 Panel Members
SW Health Inequalities Group
06 February 2015
Friday 9.30am WH Library
Panel Members
SW Transport & Environment
15 May 2015 Friday - 12.31 Gate 56 Panel Member
s South West NP 09 June 2015 Tuesday, 7.00
pmStenhouse St Aidans
NP Board Members
Pentlands Community Safety
02 March 2015
Monday - 6pm Oxgangs Neighbourho
od Centre
Panel Membe
rs
Pentlands Community Safety
01 June 2015
Monday - 6pm Oxgangs Neighbourho
od Centre
Panel Membe
rs
Pentlands Economic Forum
12 March 2015
Thursday - Daytime
TBC Panel Membe
rs
Pentlands Environment & Transport
02 February 2015
Monday - 2pm SWNO Panel Membe
rs
Pentlands Environment & Transport
25 May 2015
Monday - Daytime
SWNO Panel Membe
rs
Pentlands Funding Panel
25 February 2015
Wednesday - 6pm
SWNO Panel Membe
rs
Pentlands Funding Panel
20 May 2015
Wednesday - 6pm
SWNO Panel Membe
rs
Pentlands Health & Well being
07 May 2015
Thursday - 2 pm
TBC Panel Membe
rs
Pentlands NP
24 March 2015
Tuesday, 7.00 pm
Colinton Bowling Club
NP Board
Members
Pentlands NP
16 June 2015
Tuesday, 7.00 pm
TBC NP Board
Members
PRESENT AND APOLOGIESPresent:
Caroline Richards – Prospect Community Housing (CR) - http://www.prospectch.org.uk/ (Chair)June Dickson (JD) – EVOC http://www.evoc.org.uk/Bruce Penman (BP) – Edinburgh College http://www.edinburghcollege.ac.uk/Marie Anderson (MA) – Broomhouse Centre http://www.broomhousecentre.org.uk/Ross McKenzie (RM) – Gorgie City Farm - http://www.gorgiecityfarm.org.uk/
Becky Wapshot – (BW) http://www.homelinkfamilysupport.org/Linda Arthur – Wester Hailes Health Agency – (LA) - https://plus.google.com/114340838843322375046/about?gl=uk&hl=enMargot Mackenzie (MM) – Homestart Edinburgh WSW - http://www.hsew.org.uk/Danny Holligan (DH) – Barnardos - http://www.barnardos.org.uk/Catriona Windle (CW) – Health All Round - http://www.healthallround.org.uk/Michael Edwards (ME) – City of Edinburgh Council (PDO SW Neighbourhood Office) Scott Neill (SN) - City of Edinburgh Council (PDO SW/Pentlands Neighbourhood Office)Hazel Robinson (HR) Broomhouse Health Strategy Group - http://healthstrategygroup.org.uk/Clare Steen (CS) – Wester Hailes Youth Agency- http://www.youthagency.net/
Apologies:Georgia Koutousi – Home Link Family Support Brendan Fowler – Prospect Community Housing Allan Farmer – WHALEArts
MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
Minutes were approved. ME informed the meeting that some subgroup dates have changed. He shall forward the changes to JD to circulate.
MATTERS ARISING
SWHIG The South West Health Inequalities Sub Group ME had circulated a report on the initial event held to discuss the way forward for the SWHIG. Another event has been organised for the 6 th February in the Community Room, Jackie Stewart to circulate Agenda. This event is to facilitate bringing together all views and ideas from the previous event for wider discussion. The aim is to ensure the group is functioning effectively and to get it back up and running again. Members expressed their surprise that no-one from the Forum was invited along. SN explained that the group is meeting to look at priorities and suggested that LA contact Christine Docherty. Further discussion with Forum highlighted that there was confusion around LA being the Chair. The meeting clarified that LA is the interim Chair until things are sorted out. The members expressed disappointment that the meeting held to decide how to take the group forward did not include an invitation to the Forum to be involved. CW informed ME and SN that she cannot work Fridays, therefore would find it difficult to attend meetings. SN suggested that CW could still feed in through email. SN shall circulate report of last event. ME circulated copies of the South West Neighbourhood Partnership Structure, this is added to the end of minutes. Action Point:
LA to contact Christine Doherty to ensure the Forum is linked into any further meetings/events regarding the SWHIG.SN to circulate report on the last event.
COUNCILLORS MEETING CR informed the meeting that MA, BP and CS had looked at the wording of an invite to Councillors to
attend the Forum to give the opportunity for the Third Sector in the SW & Pentlands area to showcase their work and value. JD informed the meeting that only 11 responses had been received of completed questionnaires which will form the basis of the presentation to the Councillors. LA and MA felt it would be good to go through contact list and call organisations who may be interested. JD explained that due to work commitments she would not have the capacity to do this. LA and MA suggested that JD forward the contacts list to them and they could identify the organisations and contact them on the Forum’s behalf. The aim of the meeting will be to showcase what the Third Sector in the SW and Pentlands area brings. A discussion ensued regarding the format of the meeting with Councillors. DH suggested that we could adopt what was used at the Befrienders event, all organisations who attended this event completed an A3/A4 poster which had pertinent information regarding services etc and also had tables with leaflets and other promotional material. ME checked all dates he had of events/meetings that councillors would be attending during the month of April forward, it was also suggested that with the General Election looming in May that it would be difficult getting Councillors to come along to a meeting due to other commitments. ME shall checked dates that may be suitable best date is the 9th, followed by the 16th, starting no earlier than 12.30 for either, preferably from 1pm as there are committees both mornings. Would be best to have 3 dates to offer Councillors. CR and JD shall organise invites. CR suggested that others be invited, e.g., BOLD team and Community Council. Forum members to suggest others. The meeting in June shall replace the Forum meeting organised in July. JD to change dates and forward at a later date. The format of the meeting shall be:
Lunch (whilst all orgs showcase their services) Presentation from the Forum Key Points & questions
ME is happy to add the A3 sheet to the NP website. JD informed the meeting that she is happy to collate all information from questionnaire and compile a presentation on behalf of the Forum.
Action Points:
JD to forward contacts spreadsheet to LA and MA to identify organisation to encourage completion of questionnaireDH to forward template for the A3 poster to JD to tweakCR & JD arrange a time for a dummy run of the presentation once available.
FUNDING PANEL
The next Funding Panel meeting is tomorrow. CR drew attention to some of the points members had made at the last meeting around their experiences of applying to the CGF and asked if ME or SN wanted to ask any questions. SN felt that these points should and would be discussed at the Funding Panel meeting the following day.
SW BOLD PROJECT UPDATE
The Third Sector are taking responsibility for organising the Community Capacity Building Open Space event in April. The team from the Forum has been working closely with Ian Robertson and John Heywood on a timetable to take this forward. Other workstreams are continuing. DH kindly brought along an update briefing paper from Sean Bell (lead on the SW Bold Project) which is attached to the end of these minutes. LA reported that she had been working closely with the Headroom element of the SW Bold Project and had found it inspiring. Very exciting and creating opportunities to do other things working closely with the community. However, LA has also seen a real rise in referrals, which
in itself can cause problems initially. MM asked SN if the Area Profile on the NP website could be updated as very out of date and this can be helpful in terms of applying for funding. ME & SN reported that the team are working on this but it will take time. BP suggested in the meantime that the SIMD could be used.
WELFARE REFORM PRESENTATION
CR informed the meeting that unfortunately Sheila Haig had to cancel her visit to the Forum today. JD had brought along copies of Sheila’s presentation and informed the meeting that Sheila had given permission to circulate both the hard and electronic copy of the presentation as there will be information that people may find helpful. Sheila is attending a briefing session at Westminster which will focus on an update of the situation regarding Universal Credit and will be happy to attend the next meeting to give an update. JD shall circulate the electronic version of the presentation to all Forum contacts.
CEC BUDGET
JD circulated the TSI response to the budget, The Year of Reckoning. Additional individual responses from Third Sector organisations can be found here The Third Sector is looking at 3.3% cuts this year against a backdrop of static funding over the last few years. These cuts are not sustainable nor the CEC expectation that services remain at the same level.
CSMG UPDATE
Date of Meeting: 23/10/14 and 02/12/14
Contact details for further info: [email protected]
Main points of interest
PoPP - (Psychology of Parenting Project)
Sue Cameron (C&F Parent and Carer Support) updated CSMG on PoPP which has already been rolled out across 5 local authorities. First wave in Edinburgh will cover 50% of city. Second wave will start in October 2015. More information about PoPP can be found here . PoPP is for families with children aged 3-5 years with a clear aim to engage with parents earlier in order to improve parenting reduce ongoing cost to the local authority.Staffing – Provided as a contribution from a variety of agencies across the city, including the voluntary sector. 22 facilitators for Incredible Years (already identified) and 24 for Triple P.Incredible Years courses will run for 14 weeks and Triple P courses for 8 weeksIt has been difficult to get people for training as it is a big time commitment and there is no funding to back fill staff released by their respective agencies. However it is hoped that when staff are trained and have participated in the delivery of groups they will be able to disseminate learning within their own teams. It is believed that 10% of children have elevated behaviour so in South West that is over 100 children in the 3-5 age group.Sue is also looking at CLD/school accommodation + crèche to run programmes.
Members of Forum expressed their concerns about the time commitment required for the training courses. Many Third Sector organisations do not have the capacity to release a member of staff for what is a significant amount of time (1.5 days per week). Also suggested that Lynn Hair, Safer Families In Communities, be invited along to the next Forum meeting. JD informed the Forum that Lynn has been invited to attend The Network meeting to discuss the Project.
CAPSM LEAN Project in South West (Children Affected by Parental Substance Misuse)
South West is participating in a LEAN pilot. Sheila Wilson (NHS), Gordon McLean (CSMG Area Coordinator), Sue Cameron and Julie Tickle (Edinburgh Drug Alcohol Partnership) are leading on this. A lot of time has been spent gathering views and experiences of a range of staff when identifying and supporting families affected by parental substance misuse. This will result in the mapping of a typical journey of a family affected by parental substance misuse, identifying the different referral points and where there is waste (length of time for a response and duplication etc).Event planned for January 22nd for local staff involved in supporting CAPSM families to share this information, identify gaps/issues and agree opportunities for partnership working. Another event will be held 60 days later to report back on the actions. Some issues identified so far have been – multiple assessments, lack of awareness of support available and different services not sharing information.The South West recovery hub has recently started in Wester Hailes Healthy Living Centre (WHHLC) and this provides a lot of potential in terms of one referral point, one assessment and sharing of information.
CS expressed disappointment that the Wester Hailes Youth Agency has not been approached with regard to any of the above.
Key findings from GIRFEC research in South West presented by Ray Girling (C&F Practice Team)
Executive summary paper was circulated. Benefits of GIRFEC have been:1. Identifying children in need at an earlier stage2. Shared language, understanding and processes between professional groups3. A focus on wellbeing indicators and4. Clarity over roles and responsibilities
GIRFEC is regarded across agencies in South West as a positive development and overall on a scale of 1-5 = 3 (merited but still work to be done) People are behind principle but struggling with processes (eg increased workload for health
visitors who have caseloads of 500) Assessment of Need should be universal but different agencies doing individual processes Lots of unknowns – so many different roles/responsibilities GIRFEC has muddied processes – there are areas of difficulty with people taking GIRFEC
literally – won’t move forward without correct written information present. (Issues in relation to this should be brought to the attention of Sean Bell and Gordon McLean – it is not supposed to be a topdown process).
Takes time to work through issues/challenges A shared electronic system would address many problems.
Health Opportunities Team (HOT) – Nikki Powers
HOT work with 16-25s on sexual health, wellbeing, substance misuse using therapeutic approaches, education, drop-ins, streetwork, 1:1s, anger management, fitness and is locally based HOT has recently restructured could now provide services in South West if there is a need. Would seek to work in partnership with other agencies in South West. If there is need/potential - will put together a funding bid. Sean said there is no comparable work in South West so would be useful.HOT would to be based in SW – they will talk to Young People about what they think would be useful as well as discuss with the 4 high schools, army welfare, police, Health Agency, Youth Agency.
CW suggested that it would be helpful if HoT could visit Health All Round to discuss offering sexual health advice and the distribution of condoms in the area.
Animating Assets
Jo Kennedy’s post funded to June 15. Asset based community development approach. Jo will look at this in South West specifically around young people’s drug/alcohol misuse. There was a meeting in August at WHEC – lots of resources in Wester Hailes but much less in Currie/Balerno. GPs attended this and many were unaware the support/ resources available.Questionnaire to WHEC/Youth Agency – 100 filled in from Youth Agency. Prototype of tool was developed by Animating Assets to possibly use with young people – Youth Forum on board. Some funding may be available in future but have to identify gaps/need first.
MM informed meeting she is Rep for West, this anomaly might go due to boundaries changing. New co-ordinator and new boundaries going forward, changing from 5 areas to 4 areas. Sharing information is always a problem, Sarah Wade from EVOC has made good progress in relation to NHS email. New GIRFEC protocol to be launched which the Third Sector will have to comply to, however, we don’t have the right tools.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
JD circulated EVOC’s training programme which can be found here and highlighted the 3 for 2 offer on all training courses until the end of January. Also circulated a sheet on Funding Opportunities.
JD also informed the meeting that EVOC are in the midst of planning ThinkSpace events around Localities which should take place between now and April, she will keep members updated. DATE OF NEXT MEETING:
21ST April 2015 – 12-2pm – Venue TBC
ACTION BY WHOM COMPLETED LA to contact Christine Doherty to ensure the Forum is linked into any further meetings/events regarding the SWHIG.
LA
SN to circulate report on the last SWHIG event.
SN
JD to forward contacts spreadsheet to LA and MA to identify organisation to encourage completion of questionnaire
JD/LA/MA
DH to forward template for the A3 poster to JD to tweak
DH/JD
CR & JD arrange a time for a dummy run of the presentation once available.
CR/JD