Minutes of Meeting

Wednesday 25 April 2012

People whowere there: Richard Tatem, Florence Garland, Kate Stone, Tracey Eldridge, Jan Mills, Charles Hodgson, Rita & Albert Kinsey, Jonathon Lenaerts, Hal Kennard, Katie Smith, Sarah Chatley, Tanya Kiff, Martin Lenaerts, Mary Bergin, Linda Burgess, Dawn Harris

Apologies:Lynn White, Kym Anderson, Steve Taylor and Rosie Stickland

Minutes of the last meeting and matters arising:

New Forest Mencap now has a new Clothing/textile recycling bin in the Nedderman Centre Car Park.

Steve Taylor could not come to this meeting due to urgent priorities. Will do his best to come in June.

Partnership Board matters

At the last Partnership Board we elected a new interim co-chair. It was a huge process and we are pleased to announce that Tanya Kiff is now the new interim co-chair of the Partnership Board.

Martha also discussed the new restructure within HCC.

Martha has now moved to Health, wellbeing and early prevention.

Steve Taylor from operations is now leading PB matters (Cllr Hindson will be co-chairing the Partnership Board meeting).

Some commissioners are now working under Steve Taylor’s team.

Emma is now leading on carers (generic role, not specific to LD).

Dominique Rawlings is part of the CCG (GP’s commissioning).

Linda Burgess and Florence Garland remain the same (under operations team).

Criminal justice system

Charles said that Choices Advocacy support a lot of people in the criminal justice system which can include police, courts, child protection etc

People can be abused, hurt, attacked (they are victims). However, some people with a learning disability can get into trouble too and need some support too. 50% of people in prison have some form a learning disability.

Charles is meeting with a lot of people to see how all the groups could work together. Tanya said she would like to help. Sarah Chatley speaks to solicitors very often as they don’t understand people with ld.

Currently the equivalent of 1.5 staff at Choices work on this matter. They help over 40 people.

Charles has asked for a grant for people with a learning disability who come out of prison so that they can help them. It is important that these people are helped otherwise they can reoffend.

Linda wondered how the Hampshire autistic society gets involved (alert card). Linda to email Charles.

Jonathon said he had gone to Southampton courts to have a look.

FestAble: 19th May 2012

  • There are 2 marquees one for poy passion, art projects, theatres, FRB and another one for workshops/poetry/story telling and art etc
  • Sailability is coming too.
  • Katie Smith thinks that the New Forest LD team will have a stall. Charles the same for Choices.
  • You Trust supported employment: Flo to contact (done and informed Christine)
  • Carers Together and PRTC should have a stand. Reps to confirm to Christine.
  • Jonathon would like to DJ but it is quite difficult as it is a festival. We agreed that Jonathon could show his skills and maybe give some business cards too.
  • Not sure about TQ21
  • Allen Mills the High Sherriff of Hampshire will open the event.
  • Norman Croucher (double amputee who has climbed several mountains) will do a talk too (the police is kindly paying for this).
  • Cooking skills and demonstrations + café
  • Dawn to check plants with Jacquie.
  • Christine said that the marquees and disabled toilets are quite expensive to hire. Disabled parking must not be in conflict with farmers market.

  • Car parking will be responsibility of Sunny fields this year.
  • Art competition: Albert & Hampshire police rep (Norman Croucher?) to chose winners.
  • Plan for the weather: not so sure! Cross fingers and bring wellies!
  • People who help out will have their lunch provided free of charge
  • Christine in touch with Flo

Charles mentioned that LIG communication money was available if needed. Flo said that currently there is no money available this year for top up. Charles will discuss with Steve Taylor.

Autism Strategy – Linda Burgess

The questionnaire is available on the internet. The consultation finishes in about 3 weeks. There were 2 events in the New Forest (45 feedback questionnaires completed so far). If you would like to know more, please email

Linda said that she would still be coming to the LIG until told otherwise. Her remit is still autism.

Anything else:

Annual health check: less than 50% of the people are getting their annual health check. It has been running for 3 years. We need to be able to have a list of GPs who can/cant provide this check in the future.

Jonathon is keen to invite MPs to our group. Charles would like an MP to come to our conference (Dr Lewis?).

Charles said that he is retiring at the end of June and we will need to appoint a new chair.

We decided to cancel the meeting in May (it clashes with holiday).

Jan mentioned that the gardens of SFHT are open on 12 and 13th May (see poster). She also said that they have received a LD friendship grant – New Milton). They would hope to start the group in June.

Kate from PRCT mentioned the flyer for their groups.

Dawn said that there is no safer place scheme in the New Forest.

Mary said that the LD week is the 3rd week in June. There will be street collections/sponsored walks for New Forest Mencap.

Martin said that they are at the Chelsea flower show this year with Furzey Gardens. It is Chelsea on a shoe string! They have 3 weeks to build a garden. One staff and one student will be meeting the Queen. Hugh Denis (from Outnumbered) is their celebrity for the event.

Tanya is looking forward to meeting new people. She would like to do a surgery type. Dawn can invite Tanya to the day centre. Charles reminded Tanya that there is funding available for a travel expenses via Choices.

Katie mentioned “Mate crime” (befriending by people who take advantage of you).

Anything to do with disability issues/cards/cinema – please speak to your local trading standard office.

Jonathon reminded us about his DJ-ing skills. Business cards can be available very cheaply though the internet.

Next meeting on 27th June 2012 (NONE IN MAY). Flo has informed Liz Feltham at Minstead Lodge.

2012 dates

All meetings at Minstead Lodge, Minstead, SO43 7FT

27-Jun – chairing the meeting from now on, FestAble feedback
25-Jul
none
26-Sep
31-Oct
28-Nov

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