Minutes:
Housing: A comment was raised during the meeting that the report did not reference Housing. It was suggested that more recommendations will come out of this piece of work, however these are the findings identified within the allocated timeframe.
Funding bid: The Consultation in Public Health confirmed that the team at Leicester University are preparing a bid entitled the South Wigston Community research project. She also stated that we should be mindful that whilst Oadby has the most affluent areas, there are pockets of deprivation within Oadby, it is not just Wigston and South Wigston.
Primary Care Networks: Dr Varakantam provided information about the new Primary Care Networks (PCN) being introduced, to tackle health inequalities (population health), which will need time to bed-in.
Transport: A Member confirmed that the Council has tried to negotiate with Arriva for many years; however there is little demand for the service by users in South Wigston, and hence not commercially viable. ‘Arriva Click’ was also mentioned, particularly how this service was being delivered in Leicestershire. The head of Community & Wellbeing confirmed that this service was connected to the new Lubbesthorpe housing development, in lieu of there being no public transport available in the area. It was confirmed that there is a community transport scheme run by the Oadby and Wigston Community Action Partnership, with moderate charges. However a number of attendees stated, that rather than providing transport from South Wigston to the Oadby area, increasing access to services in South Wigston was important, not encouraging them out of the area. Access to facilities for individuals (community centres, halls and schools) in the area is key to ascertain how they can assist with engagement, and regenerating the community from grass roots upwards by brining public and volunteer sector together to bring about change is also key.
The locality manager of the Children and Family Wellbeing Services, confirmed that Leicestershire County Council closed the Children’s Centre at the Bobbin Factory in South Wigston, as part of their cost cutting exercise. It is also worth noting that individuals in South Wigston are not interested in crossing the bridge from to Wigston, therefore the provision of services in South Wigston is important.
Tribe App: The Consultation in Public Health mentioned the Tribe App, which is a volunteering app which could be used as a community catalyst, where volunteers can link up people to drive forward community capacity. The Local Area Coordinator (LAC) for South Wigston is involved in this initiative. The LAC for Wigston confirmed that Rutland set up a Good Neighbourhood scheme in relation to transport, and helping individuals travel to places where they volunteer to do jobs, such as grass cutting.
Communication: Those in Wigston and South Wigston should know about the statistics, particularly young people and how they can change what they are doing. Updating and informing the South Wigston Ward Councillors was key, in order that they can help aid this behavioural change amongst residents.
Education: There is a need to engage with the youth from an early age in school settings - good healthy behaviours; less smoking/drinking is the message. The first 1000 days is paramount (from pregnancy to a child’s 2nd birthday). The school Academy status was also mentioned, which should be driven forwards. The School Sports Partnership Manager confirmed Primary schools have access to the Pupil Premium Grant which can be as much as £18,000 per school, this is additional funding for publicly funded schools in England to improve the academic outcomes of their pupils. The key issue is engaging with Secondary Schools who have limited funding. The libraries have also struggled to engage with Secondary Schools. The School Sports Partnership Manager confirms he sits on the Secondary School Head Teachers group and will take this information to the next meeting.
Support: There are various organisations providing support in the area e.g. Senior Citizens group who hold various events at local venues such as the Salvation Army. Helping Hands which provides advice and signposting support, and the Cedar Centre who delivers mental health recovery support.
Making Every Contact Count (MECC) was developed by Public Health England. It is a holistic behaviour change approach that utilises day to day interactions that organisation and people have with other people to encourage changes in behaviour that have a positive effect on the health and wellbeing of individuals, communities and populations.
First Contact Plus is an information and advice services for self-referrals or referrals from a health professional/ individual or organisation. It is delivered by Leicestershire County Council, in partnership with GPs, the Police, health organisations, voluntary groups and social care departments, and local Councils working together to make access to services much easier. Both MECC and First Contact Plus need to be promoted and embedded more by all organisations.