Transcript Eastern Region Forum Wednesday 8th August 2007 Holiday Inn
Minutes of the
Eastern Region Forum
on
Wednesday 30
th
April 2008
Red Lodge Millennium Centre Red Lodge, Suffolk
Hello
My name is Peter Rank.
I am the Chair of the Eastern Region Forum.
Welcome to the meeting
Peter welcomed everyone to the meeting.
People came from:
Bedfordshire Hertfordshire Cambridgeshire Luton Norfolk Suffolk Thurrock
Apologies were sent from:
Southend on Sea Richard told everyone the rules for the meeting. Copies of the rules were on every table
Theresa Ring and Hilda told us about the National Forum meeting on 7
th and 8 th February 2008
Most of the meeting of the National Forum was spent looking at how the National Forum was going to respond to the ‘Valuing People Now’ document.
There are lots of changes taking place that affect the National Forum: • Rob and Nicola leaving their jobs • The National Forum contract being renewed • ‘Valuing People Now’ The 2 co-chairs jobs are up for election. It was agreed that Richard and Karen will stay on for another 6 months to see some of the
changes happen
The Learning Disability Coalition is making a plan so MP’s can hear what the issues are for people with a learning difficulty Hilda’s Top Tip for National Forum meetings:
“Be prepared to meet lots of new people and be asked to do new things”
For the full minutes visit
www.nationalforum.co.uk
Richard told us about the Task Force meeting on 4
th March 2008
1. Rob Greig and Nicola Smith are working hard on Valuing People Now. It will be ready by July 2. Valuing People Now says there will be money for self advocacy groups to get stronger. The government will need to check self advocacy groups get local money 3. Family carers want more support and a louder voice in planning for people they care for
4. The Mansell 2 report: Some people are not part of
their local community because of their behaviour or they do not feel well in their mind. The Mansell 2 report gives good ideas about how to support people. The Task force will check the Mansell 2 report is working well.
5. Staff working with people with learning difficulties:
More staff are needed. Staff need training to support people well. ‘Skills for Care’ are writing new training for staff. 6. People with learning difficulties and family carers will be trainers There are new rules about being a trainer. The Task Force will write a letter to find out more about the new rules and say how important it is for people with learning difficulties and family carers to be trainers There will be a new plan saying how staff can work best to support people with learning difficulties. This plan will be ready by October 2008 7. The Nurses and Midwifery Council are thinking of changing or getting rid of the Learning Disability qualification. The Task Force will find out more about this as people were worried This is the end of my report
Thank you
for listening For the full minutes visit www.nationaldirectorld.org.uk
Richard talked about Transport
There were questions about bus passes and what times you could use them. Richard advised that people talk to their local councils to get changes made
After the break we worked in small groups on Transport
Norfolk is very rural. We can’t get to some villages Rural buses in Cambridgeshire is a bit rubbish Too many buggies are a hazard.
This is what was said about buses:
I would like to see the Liberty wallet used on Hertfordshire buses London have provided a large print bus route and timetable. The buses are listed in order of their routes I get the wrong information. They said I needed a risk assessment to get a bus pass The rules for bus passes are difficult to understand. It should be the same everywhere Some good service routes – bus runs every 20 minutes Beds CC should make an accessible bus route/timetable My new bus pass lets me travel anytime of the day I would like buses to make more room for people in wheelchairs
Training drivers to improve their attitude Some drivers are rude and nasty Taxi’s not on time Wrong sized taxi sent. Too small for wheelchairs Taxi’s need double ramps so 2 sets of wheels can get on. Strips used by Cambridge not ideal
This is what was said about taxis:
Some taxi firms need accessible vehicles Taxi drivers are usually friendly Taxi’s at Holt look after me brilliantly. Taxi’s pull your wheelchair up the ramp with new equipment Thurrock licensing train their taxi drivers before they get their license Taxis are heaven: Door to door. Use same firm. Feel safe When you ring they turn up straight away, on time, polite, will wait One driver in particular really knows how to help
Local trains only have 1 wheelchair space
This is what was said about trains:
Training for station staff by people with learning difficulties Not enough time to get on and off trains – makes me scared Platforms should be level with the train to make it easier to get on Food is revolting on trains They change times and timetables. That gets me muddled It’s hard to get a train on Bank Holidays I use trains for important stuff not just leisure days out (though this is important too!) Sometimes people help me at the station at Stowmarket Let more people know about rail cards/pass
Aeroplanes are not wheelchair friendly People don’t always listen
This is what was said about aeroplanes and mini buses:
Make me stand up out of my wheelchair to check I wasn’t carrying anything I shouldn’t. They also made me take my boots off!
We need more minibuses with bigger doors and for people who are blind Good service on an aeroplane. They put me first Why spend 4 hours on a minibus to go a few miles Some airlines are more helpful than others Minibus is good, we get to go to lots of different places
This is what was said about bikes and walking:
I enjoy walking. It keeps me fit I live too far away from town. It is dangerous, too many hit and runs I used to have a tricycle with 10 gears. It was a good trike. I used to put my puppy in the basket Using my electric wheelchair to get about keeps me healthy (out in the fresh air) and gives me independence
After lunch we heard from 5 people who had put themselves forward for the job of Eastern Region Forum representative to the National Forum. We then voted. ?
Janet Brandish won the vote and will represent the Eastern Region for 2 years
Well done Janet
And
Thank You
Alan, Mark, Carol and Hilda for putting yourselves forward
‘Your Say’
Thurrock
After a break we made posters to show the 3 main issues from our areas.
Bedfordshire 1. How to cope with death.
There is going to be a bereavement group to help people with their feelings
2. Boyfriends and girlfriends 3. Trips and socialising to meet more people 1. Transport 2. Health 3. Relationships
Hertfordshire Luton 1. Transport 2. We voted for a new Chairperson for the Valuing People Working Group 3. ‘Valuing People Now’ – we agreed the main priorities 1. Paid employment 2. The length it takes to be referred to get through the supported employment route 3. Housing
Cambridgeshire 1. Campaigning because we are unable to use bus passes before 9.30 in the morning 2. Lack of transport in the fens 3. A new project at Speaking Up all about politics and voting called:
‘Promote the vote’
4. People with high support needs now have access to a ‘Changing Places’ toilet but it’s in a horrible dark place and only open to 4pm 5. Stay up late campaign
Suffolk Norfolk People are moving out of hospitals: 1. People are starting to listen to us about where and how we want to live. It is still slow 2. Staff are being offered ‘values’ training 3. Transport conference in May 1. Health 2. Bullying 3. Advocacy groups need to be funded
All of the work done today will be taken to the next National Forum on the
20 th and 21 st
May in Loughborough. The minutes from the last Eastern Region Forum
were agreed 22 nd January 2008
Eastern Region Forum – Wednesday 30 th April 2008
Date of the next meeting Tuesday 22
nd
July 2008
7 14 21 28 Mon
Tue
1 8 15
22
29
July 2008
Wed 2 9 16 23 Thu 3 10 17 24 Fri 4 11 18 25 30 31 Sat 5 12 19 26 Sun 6 13 20 27 Red Lodge Millennium Centre Lavender Close Red Lodge Suffolk IP28 8TT
to