Eastern Region Parent Partnership Meeting

Local Offer User Forum

St Christophers Family Room
Minutes
22nd February 2017
ITEM / Notes and Action
Welcome to meeting / Present:
Sherriden Baker – Parent – Little Heroes
Lucy Bissell – IS
Julie Davis – LA Lead on Local Offer
Kim Drake – Founder of Little Heroes
Angela Ejoh, Strategy & Commissioning Manager
Sam Rolfe, Tourettes Action
Apologies:
Trudi Carey – IASS
Mike Wilson – Southend Family Voice
Angela Ejoh, Short breaks /

Angela shared details about the short break grant funding with members. Children and young people with severe disabilities have benefitted from the range of resources and opportunities that have been developed under Southend’s Short Break grant funded programmes. They fund community based projects and examples include cinema, swimming, arts and music projects. There are two grant opportunities for 2017 - 2018:

Short Break Grants to a maximum of £10,000 – Round 2 will be allocated in July 2017.
Community Access Grants for groups, organisations and individuals to a maximum of £500 – these will be available throughout the year.
Action: AE to send details about swimming project for JD to put on the Local Offer.

Sam Rolfe, Tourettes Action /

Sam set up a local support group with her son after realising that there was no local support for people living with Tourette’s in Essex. The group meets 6 weekly at Leigh Community Centre and they have received a bursary from Leigh Town Council to support with the running of the group. The group supports anyone living with Tourette’s and their friends and family in Essex. Sam also volunteers on the helpline and with the befriending service for Tourette’s Action. Sam shared with member’s details about 2 therapies for Tourette’s which she would like to see available in Essex.

Action: SR to send through support group meeting dates and JD to add details to the Local Offer.

Cross Boundary Evaluation / Julie told members about the cross boundary evaluation which involved Eastern Region Local Authorities reviewing each other’s Local Offers. Southend evaluated Thurrock and Luton evaluated Southend. Julie circulatedthe findings from this and said that it was positive exercise.Julie has been working on the findings of this and updating the Local Offer.
Action: All members to send JD any comments/feedback on the Local Offer.
Local Offer Membership/Promotion / Lucy told members about the new Local Offer facebook, this is in its early stages and Lucy will continue to develop the page. The Local Offer flyers have been sent to all SENCO’s and Children’s Centres. Angela offered to make some enquiries about the distribution of this to GPs.
Action: AE to contact LB with details about the distribution of flyers to GP’s.
It’s my page / Lucy/Julie told members that they now have access to ‘it’s my page’ a website for children and young people, this was originally a website developed by Mencap and Laura Clarke. Lucy and Julie met with the website designer and will start work on this project. Angela mentioned that she has a contact that may be able to help with the website design as the programme/page is rather outdated.
Action: AE to make enquires about web design and contact JD/LB.
Local Offer Conference / Members all liked the idea of a Local Offer conference and it was agreed that this will be held in July at Tickfield approximately 10am-2.30pm. It was suggested that we avoid the last week of term as this can be a busy time for schools. Ideas included a local offer presentation, workshops about sleep and sensory needs and an opportunity for parents/carers to share their views.
Date of next meeting: / Tuesday25th April 2017, 10.30– 12.30 St Christopher’s Family Room