Minutes of the Outreach/Community Development Network

15th May2012 12.30-2.00

The Studio – Dolphin Centre

Present:Julie CurryPFIS

SheilaCrawfordD.A.D

Jane HesfordCDDFT

Carol HoughtonDBC Libraries

Jo PriceDarlington Credit Union

Maureen JacksonCAB

Jenny LeemingAlzheimer’s Society

Liz McAllisterSamaritans

Gloria WilsonSamaritans

Catherine LowdonDurham Deafened Support

Mika RowanRichmond Fellowship

Nicolas WhiteTVRCC

Margaret WeeksTalking Newspaper

Laura HeatleyStroke Association

Andrea JohnsonStroke Association

Wendy TarelliRevenue & Benefits (DBC)

Peter FreitagMIND/Interfaith Forum

Apologies:Anthony MacmasterCD/D NHS Stop Smoking Service

Rob DentPeople & Families Team

Claire HarrisonCD/D NHS Stop Smoking Service

Sarah CowleyCruse Bereavement Care

Mark WilkesWRVS

Sandra HaydonVictim Support

John BossonStrategy & Performance (DBC)

Sue CaseDarlington Town Mission

Margaret HarrisonTalking Newspaper

ActionBy / TargetDate
1.Welcome and Introductions
2.Apologies
As above
3.Minutes of last meeting and matters arising.
3.1 Healthwatch will now be overseeing the network and all future notes will be in the format of an action log.
3.2 Information Service Leaflet. Some updates have been received. People need to forward any further information so the booklet can be updated. A summary of what your service provides and contact details. / All / Next Meeting
4.Guest Speaker
Wendy Tarelli – Revenue and Benefits Darlington Borough Council
Gave an overview on the changes to benefits. This included
  • Bedroom Tax
  • Council Tax Support
  • Social Fund
Wendy can be contacted on
5.Around the room updates
Healthwatch is the new name for organisations that help children, young people and adults speak up about health and social care in England. We will make sure that people who plan, run and check services:
  • find ways to listen to people who use these services
  • think about what people are saying
  • use this information to make services better.
The Healthwatch network has 2 parts:
  • Healthwatch England is the national organisation
  • Local Healthwatch works in local communities.
They work together to make sure people who use services are listened to by the government and in their local areas.
Also has an information and Signposting service
Freephone number 0808 801 0383
Signposting service will also be in the community at
Salvation Army - 1st Saturday of month 10.00-11.30
Maidendale House – 2nd Thursday of month 11.00-13.30
Cockerton Library – 3rd Thursday of month 15.00-17.00
Redhall Community Centre – 4th Thursday of month 9.00-10.30
Running July-August
Alzheimer’s Society
Dementia advisor supports people with recent diagnosis
Provides information and support
Signposts to services
Long term support
Dementia cafes
New Cafe running from St Herberts as well as a drop in service at
West Park.
Patient Experience Team - County Durham and Darlington NHS
Foundation Trust
New Family and Friends Test given to patients on discharge
Results will be publish on NHS Choices website
Credit Union
Full budget plan service
Offering a service where all benefits can be paid directly to Credit
Darlington Borough Council Library
Credit Union is in Cockerton Library Thursdays and Fridays
Mental Health Reading group – Fridays at 10.00, Cockerton Library
Baby Rhyme time
Groups for the visually impaired
DAD
Stronger Voices – peer led project
Information services – Drop in at the office at Horsemarket
Shopmobility, £10 per year membership
Direct Payments
Carers Support
Independent living hub
No befriending services at the moment but can be looked into on an individual basis.
New- Advocacy for individuals and carers, IMHA
Citizens Advice Bureau
Full time solicitor to deal with housing queries
Operating a gateway system
Debt drop in sessions (post gateway). First come first served.
New website launched
Continuing work in GP surgeries
Samaritans
24/7 listening service
e-mail, SMS and face to face support
Outreach at college, railways station, GP surgeries, police and West
Park
Durham Deafened Support
200 members
Provide support for people with hearing loss
Lip reading classes
Social groups
1-2-1 support
Hire out equipment
Information on benefits
Occasionally basic sign language
Support group Tuesday’s 13.00 at Havelock Centre
New website
Richmond Fellowship
Homelessness and complex needs
Housing, day services, drug/alcohol support and debt advice
Service user training
National and local newsletters
On call service for evening and weekends
Tees Valley Rural Community Council
Support to rural communities
Funding fair 4th June at Fire Station
Families Information Support Service
Information and support
ASC 18+
Children and Young People’s Directory (Info for parents/families/carers)
Outreach events
Parent Partnership Services
Special Educational Needs
Schools and advice
Online directory – Peoples Information Point darlington.fsd.org.uk
Darlington and District Talking Newspaper
Continually provide weekly recordings for the visually impaired
Record Darlington Together
Referrals can be made by the client, social services or GP’s
Services are also offered to people who may have difficulty holding paper
Free service
200+ clients
Services can now also be accessed via the website.

Stroke Association
National charity
Self refer or referrals from CDDFT
Visits on wards and at home
Emotional support and signposting, 12 months post stroke
Happy to be guest speaker at meetings
6.Information Directory – Update for 2013-2014
6.1 Andrea to e-mail template for directory
Please send back information so directory can be updated / AG / August
7.Name Change
7.1 Suggested name change for the group
Ideas included
Community Work Together (to benefit you)
Community Outreach
Darlington Working Together
Darlington Organisations Together (DOT)
To be decided next meeting / All / August
8.Any other business
Mark Wilkes RVS to be next meetings guest speaker
9.DATE, TIME AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING
28th August, Dolphin Centre, Seminar Room, 12.00-14.00