Agenda item

AB: Women’s services strategic group in Northampton has not met up for over 12 months. NCC published article saying all women’s services are funded, when they are not. Over 30 families housed in the county whose accommodation may be in jeopardy. OPCC/NBC/NCC – none are responding or taking the matter seriously.

DT: We have to go out of the county to get funding – time we are spending to source funding should be spent on service users. Also the premises needs to be vacated but with the uncertainty at the minute, it is hard to forward plan.

AB: The new hub planning is not going well.

Q: Who is the strategic lead?

A: Nicki Marzac.

ACTION: Invite to the May forum after the upcoming meeting when funds are finalised.

Q: Could we write a letter?

A: Yes it could be done after more discussion.

DT: Sexual violence forum never meets so many do not have a true understanding about the true statistics and consequences about sexual violence.

AK: Could we push this through the community safety partnership?

AB: NBC spent money (£50,000) on research from Warwick University with no results ever coming back.

AK: To find out more information about this.

Q: What has happened to national funding (DCLG) that was announced?

A: Could be announced in November but not sure and it does not necessarily cover sexual violence.

AB: The DCLG expected each organisation to set out a strategy to their standard. If they look at Northampton, they will see nothing has been done which may put future funding at risk.

SB: Money often goes to places which it shouldn’t. Public have raised awareness about how unnecessary some ideas are and they are often ignored.

DT: We need to work better with community groups and build better relationships which allows more effective results.

AM: Anyone who would like to receive the new newsletter will need to fill out a new form.

LM: Northampton has a Dementia Action Alliance – Information sharing alliance. LM gave the forum her business card and info sheet. It is very useful to find out what is going on, especially for those who are supporting people with dementia.

DS: Been at the food poverty network. Women and children are most affected.

Errol Flynn are showing Made in Dagenham. They are only going to take the cost of showing the film. The proceeds will go to the Domestic Abuse Services and Rape Crisis.

ACTION: MM to circulate details to all Forums.

AB: Errol Flynn need 28 people to make their money back.

DT: Continuing to apply for funding outside the county. St Andrews are having to take back one of the offices. In talks with PCC about sharing Warwick house but it may not accommodate needs of both parties. May have to revisit and look at other options. Date is not set as of now.

DS: Town of Sanctuary event at Abington Park bowling green. Fundraiser to raise funds for refugees.

£10 for tickets at 7:30pm on 17^th February.

IB: Aquarius – are funded for the education of drug and alcohol abuse for the next few years. Also Aquarius are relocating in April.

PC: E-mail address has changed.

PC: Market sanctuary story sharing event and tea/coffees. Sunday 4^th March is a possibility.

SP: To update Naomi about the crime scene event.

KS: Palestinian women from 4 different towns visiting from 20^th to 22^nd March. Six women are coming in total, the women are professionals with families, holding various jobs, e.g. engineer and head teacher. Organising Women’s discussion forum, will be on 21^st or 22^nd.There will be a Palestinian meal at 5:45pm, before the meeting at the Quaker house a.

SB: Still going ahead with centenary of women’s vote celebration. 7^th July. Very keen on opening guilds for younger women. Could be worth putting leaflets in local undertakers for those ladies who find themselves alone later in life.

AB: MHA look to visit lonely adults which could be beneficial.

DT: There are lunch clubs that you could contact with more information too.

SB: Looking to start different groups and the funding is there to do it but it is very hard to set up.

PW: Are there refuge services for men who are victims of domestic violence.

AB: Yes, opening up in two weeks. More information on NDAS.

DS: It would be interesting to see who the perpetrators are against both genders.

AB: It is a fantastic opportunity that we (NDAS) have been given, we are not losing focus on women but there are men who need help too and cannot be neglected.

SB: Help for children disappears when they turn 16 as they are no longer a child and are then treated as an adult.

PWo: There are many issues affecting different communities of each gender, but unless they do not say anything it is a guessing game. The more we work together, the better we can do as a whole.