Agenda and minutes

Apologies received from John, Lee and Ben.

No minutes were produced for the last meeting due to no attendees being present.

Skills for Care work with the Adult Social Care workforce, ensuring staff are skilled up. They are currently working on a Dementia and Diversity resource, in conjunction with communities and the workforce. Skills for Care want to ensure that a person centred approach is taken, and that the needs of different communities are taken into account, such as the LGBTQ community, BME community, and people with early onset dementia. Currently, there are a variety of guides available which can be downloaded from the Skills for Care website.

Christine asked the forum what should be included for an LGBTQ resource. Ian questioned why a specific pack is needed for LGBTQ and BME clients, and commented that he felt the workforce should be culturally aware of various different communities anyway. Christine commented that although often care workers are culturally aware, not everyone will be aware of different cultural issues, and a resource pack such as this will aim to address this.

Matthew said that, from experience, he felt that there is room for guidance for carers and others working in the care sector to understand the experiences of LGBTQ people. For instance, there were times when it was illegal to be gay, and when a person memory regresses in time due to their dementia, they may feel threatened and afraid. Matthew also raised that a guide about LGBTQ carers would be useful. Carole commented that with care workers coming from other countries and different diverse communities, many may come from societies and cultures where it is not acceptable to be gay, so training around LGBTQ communities and equal rights could be very useful, especially in domiciliary care.

Matthew informed Christine that both Age UK and Stonewall gave produced studies about the standard of care for LGBTQ patients in both care homes and domiciliary settings, which would be useful for this resource. ACTION: Matthew to pass on the details of these to Christine.

On the issue of training, Christine informed the forum that there is a workforce development fund, which in Northampton can be accessed through LGSS. A contribution is made of £15 per credit towards accredited schemes. This can be accessed through the employer. Cllr King commented that smaller organisations need to be targeted to ensure that they are aware of this fund.

ACTION: AM to send through details of International Women’s Day to Christine, for information.

ACTION: Forum members to feed back to Christine any thoughts about the resource pack (e.g. content, style of delivery).

Forum attendees made Christine aware of the Straight Allies campaign in Northampton, which could be used as an LGBTQ friendly ‘quality mark’ for organisations. ACTION: AM to send Christine the link to Straight Allies video.

School of Life is a three year lottery funded project, run by Voluntary Impact Northamptonshire. The project focuses on intergenerational learning and skill swapping. It encourages social inclusion, the sharing of valuable skills that are developed through an older person’s life, but often not used, and aims to challenge stereotypes. Through the School of Life project, Voluntary Impact Northamptonshire will be creating a tool kit to support groups to set up their own intergenerational projects once the funded scheme has finished, creating a legacy for the intergenerational approach and ensuring the continuation and development of new experiences and new networks between older and younger generations.

School of Life activities can be any worthwhile activities. Examples include Allotment Action (grow together, learn together), a knitted ‘street’ project, and an Inspirational Woman skill swap.

Forum attendees discussed opportunities for LGBTQ forum involvement. A discussion was held around an experience sharing project between young and older LGBTQ people, looking at LGBT role models for young LGBT people, and Northampton’s gay history. This could take the forum of poetry or storytelling, which brings to life experiences and could be toured. ACTION: AM to include of the forum action plan for 2016.

Hate Crime survey to be shared with networks.

To be discussed at next meeting.

Ian is now working for Northampton Town Football in the Community. Through this work, Ian is looking to work with footballers to encourage a culture of acceptance, and stand alongside footballers who may be gay.

Carole reported that numbers are down at the Lesbian Line drop in. The committee are looking at how to take the organisation forward, and how to increase attendance. Matthew suggested that Lesbian Line increase the amount that they are asking for from NCF, in order to incorporate an amount for marketing and activities. Ian suggested that Lesbian Line use a room at eh Pavilion – Ian to discuss with his committee about Lesbian Line using the Pavilion space for free.

Matthew reported that at Diwali, a lady from the community approached him and told him that her daughter has come out, but is finding it very difficult in her community. Matthew passed on his details for the person to contact him for advice and support. This was further evidence that LGBTQ people in diverse communities need support. It was agreed that the forum look into how we can reach out and support LGBTQ people from diverse communities.

Reminder - World AIDS day will be taking place on Tuesday 1^st December. A ceremony will be held in the Courtyard at 12 noon, followed by refreshments in the Court Room.

Karina – Sexual Health Outreach Team are very aware that some LGBTQ groups feel that sexual health services are not approachable. The team are trying to do more outreach to make sure that this changes. Currently are linking with University of Northampton, and Lowdown LGBT youth group, and other groups to ensure people know they can come to the GUM clinic etc, and that staff are approachable and friendly. The team are also learning more about Transgender sexuality, in order to ensure the service meets the needs of this community also. ACTION: AM to invite Sexual Health Outreach to International Women’s Day event.

Matthew – Solar have now folded as an organisation. Matthew has been meeting with a group to develop a new support service, which will look different from Solar but will meet the need of HIV support in Northampton. Trans support group is also in development.

Tuesday 26^th January 2016

Tuesday 15^th March

Tuesday 10^th May

Tuesday 19^th July

Tuesday 20^th September

Tuesday 22^nd November

Next meeting -  Tuesday 26^th January 2016.

PLEASE NOTE – It was agreed by attendees and the Chairs that the January meeting will be a social meeting, held in the Lamplighter (66 Overstone Rd, Northampton NN1 3JS). Parking on street can be difficult, however St Michaels multi-storey car park (http://www.northampton.gov.uk/directory-record/168/st-michaels-multi-storey) is 3 minutes’ walk away.

Following meeting dates:

Tuesday 15^th March

Tuesday 10^th May

Tuesday 19^th July

Tuesday 20^th September

Tuesday 22^nd November