Agenda and minutes

Councillor J Kaufman           (OWBC)

Nickolah Ibbetson              (Leicestershire Adult Learning)

Les Gill                             (Helping Hands)

Alison Barnes                     (Local Offer Coordinator-LCC)

Vinod Ghadiali                    (OW Hindu Association)

Roger Thompson               (Action on Hearing Loss)

Roger Allsopp                             (Churches Together)

Chris Huscroft                             (Oadby and Wigston Food Bank)

Jo Knight                          (Women in Oadby and Wigston)

Jan Bryars                         (OWSW Multicultural Group)

Reverend Leslie Gill             (Helping Hands)

Peter Owers                      (Christians Against Poverty)

Fred Jennings                              (Christians Against Poverty)

Caroline Holden                  (Age UK)

Sara Kelsan                       (Working Aged Adults Learning Disability)

AnjanaVaja                       (Loros)

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting. Introductions were conducted and apologies noted.

The minutes of the previous meeting were accepted as a true record by those who had attended.

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Colleagues were reminded that at the previous meeting, discussion had taken place about how funding from the Council might be accessed in relation to funding joint projects. These projects would address the needs of vulnerable people in the Borough.

This issue will form part of the agenda for the meeting to be held on Tuesday 12 March 2019.

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The NOCN (National Open College Network) Level 1 Award in Community Development will start in Spring 2019. Seven people representing a range of diverse agencies have expressed a desire to attend.

Accreditation will take place with the support of the PCYA (Pakistani Community Youth Association).

This free course covers a ten week period, for further information contact the Community Engagement Officer by emailing: veronika.quintyne@oadby-wigston.gov.uk or telephone Oadby & Wigston Council on (0116) 2572648.

Oadby and Wigston Borough Council’s Community Engagement Forum hosted the first Disability Confident Breakfast event, which was attended by those representing Business, Private, Public Sectors and Third Sector agencies.

Thanks to the provision of the event, breakfast was extended to Delifrance Wigston.

The Deputy Mayor, Councillor Mrs Lynda Eaton introduced the event and provided a supportive and relevant speech. Councillor Mrs Samia Haq acted as the event Chairperson on behalf of Councillor Jeffrey Kaufman, who was unable to attend.

There were a range of speakers during the morning including:

·         Mr Mark Esho MBA of Easy Internet

·         NnadiriNjideka and Harshida Ghaghda from the Department for Work and Pensions

·         Krystyna Frampton from Leicester Employment Hub

·         Mr Bhavin Gohil, a local resident who represented the Mosaic Charity, in his role as Trustee and Oadby and Wigston Borough Youth Council.

Presentations and written speeches were used to illustrate the event topic ‘Disability Confident’.

The speakers gave an overview of the barriers faced by people with a disability and how with available Government funding and support, employers can be supported to recruit people with a disability into the workforce.

The Disability Confident scheme aims to help employers make the most of the opportunities provided by, employing people with a disability. It is voluntary and has been developed by Government agencies. The scheme has three levels that have been designed to support employers on the Disability Confident journey. Employers must complete each level before moving on to the next. The scheme is the main vehicle for supporting employers to offer job opportunities to people with a disability and or health issue. Funding to support the employer to do this was highlighted.

The societal prejudice and unconscious bias, which exists, was shown to be a hindrance to the employment of people with a disability. A personal perspective of how disability held back a person from accessing employment was shared. The main message from the presentation was that, a disability cannot be allowed to hold back personal and career aspirations as it could lead to low self-esteem and poor mental wellbeing of the individual. Myths about employees with a disability were shared and debunked. Discrimination against employing people with a disability in the workplace was said to be a missed opportunity for building societal economic value from which everyone can profit.

In Mark Eshos business fifty percent of people work remotely. He himself is a sufferer of Polio and at times needs to use a wheelchair. He emphasised that not all disabled people use a wheelchair. For others who use a wheelchair there is an unfounded perception that they cannot walk. There are many types of disabilities in society including those, which are unseen.

The following solutions were suggested for offering people a chance to work:

·         Offer them an interview.

·         Do not be afraid to ask questions.

·         Never make assumptions and make reasonable adjustments.

Leicester Disability Hub explained how to be a Disability Confident employer; how to make reasonable adjustments in the workplace using Access to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

There was no other business discussed.

Tuesday 12 March 2019, Time: 1:30 pm to 4:00 pm.

The venue for all meetings is Oadby and Wigston Borough Council Offices, Bushloe House, Station Road, Wigston, Leicestershire LE18 2DR.