SURGe Minutes 31st July 2008

 

SURGe Members Meeting

31^st July 2008

The Gap Community Centre, Warwick

            Present:

            Mark Carter                                 Elvinn Coles

            Graham Woodfield                       Mary Bowie

            Richard Chidzik                       Bettina Hendey

            Sharon Hill                             Robert Greaves

            Samantha Jones                      Ronald Lenton

            Theo Holland                           Lisa Phillips

            Elena Richard (SW)Alec Watson                                    Josephine Judge         

            Also MayDay Trust - service providers

            Dawn Clarke & Flo Manu                                          

           

Apologies:

  Helen Stalker                        Graham Hardwick

  Marie Gercs                                   Bernie Sheehan

1.  Introductions of SURGe members

New members were warmly welcomed and introduced to the group and given a brief outline of what SURGe do and who Supporting People are.

2.  Supporting People update

• Majority of Website has been checked and updated to ensure that it at the recommended literacy level.
• Service User area now has more pictures and is brief and accessible.
• Elderly and Learning Difficulties Services Strategic Review is taking place and Workshops and questionnaires will be taking place in August
• Disability Discrimination Act - questionnaires and feedback have been requested from service providers to ensure they are meeting the act.
• Cultural Sensitivity Report - this has been done to make sure that service users' cultural beliefs are being met as well as equality and diversity.

3.  Voices 4 Choices update

• Amanda gave an outline of Voices 4 Choices' role within SURGe to new members.
• SURGe members' photos were taken for Voices 4 Choices identity badges. These will be used when SURGe members are representing Voices 4 Choices at meetings etc.
• Advocacy and empowerment service is available to all Service Users.
• Patricia explained about an Arts and Care Workshop, Leamington Spa, 30^th October 2008. Workshops included are music, dance, poetry, drama and comedy. (Unfortunately this falls on the same day as the October SURGe meeting.) Robert Greaves was interested in attending.
• Guest speakers will be visiting SURGe meetings and giving presentations on topics relating to the personal development to SURGe and it's members.

4.  Core Strategy Group update

Lisa gave a brief outline on how the Core Strategy Group works:

• Service Users are pro-active in helping where services are needed
• How funding is worked out
• Service Users do get involved
• SURGe feedback is taken to Core Strategy Group by Service Users

• Lisa is now working with Warwickshire's Police Community Support Officers and the Police. She also added that anyone is welcome to speak to her if they needed any advice.

•5.        Group Activity 1: Narrowing the gap

• More support from district council's for people leaving supported accommodation. People need to be aware of help.

• To have a drop in centre for those who have moved on or in need of help/ support users to be made aware of training/ educational opportunities. Schemes are available, but people are not aware.

• Signpost to other support/ counseling for complex needs/issues (include into plans)

• Designated worker for work and employment or signpost to "progress to work"

• Information for homeless ie Direction, advocacy.

• To make people more aware that there is help/support out there.

 

•6.        Group Activity 2: What do you want SURGe    

To include?

• Services providers' workshops networking.
• More projects down by the coast.
• Day centres
• More group activities in Rugby
• Equal opportunities.
• Inform us about new projects
• Talk
• More placement within organization
• Put people with epilepsy in there own project.
• Service users to visit other boroughs
• Service user days out

7.  Group Activity 3: Training needs analysis

 

• Training in meeting etiquette
• Benefits, how to get, where to get etc.
• Support- Mental health, alcohol, elderly etc where!
• Befriending help groups- how, where etc.
• Courses on diversity, ethnicity, etc.
• Moving on courses, eg, interview techniques, housing help, c.v production, computer basic's etc.
• Stress management, meditation techniques.
• Budgeting- Amenities- how to access, insulation ok.
• Good cooking techniques- on how to cook healthy on a small budget
• Training in: 1) Housing

                        2) DIY

                        3) Home Maintenance

                        4) Correct health/ hygiene

                        5) Reading and form understanding/ filling in.

                        6) Hot to deal with/ in strange, strenuous                               

                            Situations

                        7) Time Management

                        8) Creative writing or other activities to keep you         

                             active.

                        9) Uses of gym's etc- How to maintain health,                                                   

                             both physical and mental.

                       10) How to access and use your G.P surgeries,                              

                             other support networks.

                       11) Job applications- How to fill in and what to

                              say?

                       12) Energy use- Low energy bulbs, Etc.

• Talks with council members
• Talks with police, Amenities
• Talks with housing, waste, bins etc

9.  Any other business:

Amanda asked whether any SURGe members would like to participate as ‘mystery shoppers' to go out as a potential Service User needing a variety of services.  You would then be asked to report your findings back to Voices 4 Choices and Supporting People.

10.  Date of next meeting:

Thursday August 28^{th 2008}

10:30am-12:30pm

The Gap Community Centre