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Local Engagement Round Up
Hikmat Devon
Hikmat are currently busy with well attended groups. Art and craft activities have had approximately 160 attending. International woman’s day had very busy corner at the Phoenix Centre Exeter, quizzes about countries were popular.
They are also working with Devon County Council (DCC) resettlement team to help fulfil roles by teaching and learning skills. Nrvan has been very busy working hard on the training programme.
Learning Disability Partnership Board update
The board had a celebration meeting in March 2024, reflecting on the amazing work the members have done between 2023/2024.
Health and social care Group have had been involved several pieces of work including: meeting with a DCC Disability Lead to help them identify reasonable adjustments that could be offered before planned reviews, session on making them aware of the reasonable adjustments when voting and having input on the new Learning Disability Helping overcoming Problems Effectively (HOPE) programme.
Learning Disability Friendship Group update
Devon People First gave an overview on the history of the Friendship Groups and explaining that the groups first started to help tackle loneliness for isolated adults with learning disabilities.; the groups included quizzes/games to help find out group members interests.
They have had 12 guest speakers attending the groups to address important issues such as : health checks and what is important, bus passes and completing forms in Easy Read.
Co-production Working Group update
The co-production working group have been involved in 9 co-production projects over the past year, this has been received well as majority of feedback has been it is a great way to work and could really see the benefit of working co-productively.
They have ran 3 awareness sessions including a general session, Career Ambassador’s session and NHS staff working with users who are struggling with drug addictions.
Safeguarding Community Reference Group update
They have been involved working with the new mental health unit being built in Dawlish, firstly they would like to organise steering groups for those with lived experience to present what matters most when creating this unit.
Work around annual health checks to make sure they are the best they can possibly be. Groups have been organised in Exmouth, Plymouth and North Devon asking learning disability specialists and GP’s where they would rate topics that come up during health checks.
Oliver McGowan training
Torbay, Plymouth and RDUH have started doing training once a week , feedback has been very positive from trainers and those who have participated . North Devon have not started delivering training as they are waiting to find a venue.
Still waiting of confirmation for the funding from the NHS to continue to deliver this training for the rest of the year.
Devon Carers Ambassadors
Anne’s last meeting, gave CA update – need for housing for people with LD and/or autism, overview of Devon Carers different interest groups and Dying Matters week
It was one of the Carer Ambassadors’ last JEF meeting, members took a moment to thank the work this individual did and the contribution they gave to the group.
The Carer Ambassador report was shared with members which highlighted recent concerns including:
- Lack of training – Carers not having appropriate training such as behaviour management or mental health awareness for new cared for.
- Supported housing/living – having the lack of choice in choosing where service users live and the poor conditions of their living space.
6 – 12th May is ‘Dying Matters Week; end of life care needs to be remembered for people with learning disabilities which includes awareness about reasonable adjustments.
Autism Involvement Group (AIG)
Talkworks attended the April AIG, where a presentation was shown explaining the services Talkworks offer and what requirement a person needs to request support; there was designated time at the end for members to ask questions they may have, any later questions could be sent via email and will be answered at a later date.
Dimension For Autism (DFA)
DFA are having 200+ contact with members weekly, through day/event meetings both online and face to face.
They have a community group outing in May at Autism Woodland Project in South Molton, its a place of nature for people to go if needing respite. This is open to all those in autistic community and it was advised to members to share this information with people they feel would benefit from this.
DFA will be attending the Respect festival in June.
Age UK Devon
The key message of this topic was the concerns around communication, including contacting adult and community services, as there are long waiting lists and messages to go online. This is impacting organisation’s are they are unable to provide the appropriate support for the users they care for.
Older people and carers need advice about their rights in social care, around social care assessments and payment top ups.
Jargon Busters Film
A film was shown to JEF members that was created by the group “Jargon Busters” that is made of adults with learning disabilities who shared their stories on when they have worked co-productively. This was received well by members as it was a great example at the benefits when people work co-productively together, the challenges and also the negative impact on what happens when you don’t work co-productively.
Front Door Consultation
Living Options Devon shared a presentation that covered:
- Perceptions of Adult Social Care
- Barriers / challenges
- Experiences of receiving ASC services
- What is working well?
- Suggested Improvements
The consultation was about individuals accessing service support asking to explore experiences and how wellbeing has been supported. It was highlighted recurring themes then went on to clarify the Pinpoint issue; it was never discreet adult social care resource but a wider community one, but the main casualty’s are adult social care service users and people trying to provide services to them.