Agenda item

R Levy introduced the Forum to the work of Oadby and Wigston Borough Council’s Community & Wellbeing team, branded as Active Oadby and Wigston. The team offer several health, wellbeing and physical activity programmes across the Borough, from group walks, Couch to 5K, to Walking Football. These programmes offer opportunities to engage with communities, and achieve Oadby and Wigston Borough Council’s Corporate Priorities, in particular RE:

·        “To improve the health of our residents, targeting those groups who have been identified as having health inequalities…”

·        “To improve the health of residents through bespoke health campaigns and interventions”.

Using Arnstein’s (1996) Ladder of Citizen Participation (see below, left), R Levy noted that Active Oadby and Wigston’s programmes do not merely represent a tokenistic engagement with the community. Rather, Active Oadby and Wigston’s programmes and campaigns are co-produced with communities themselves, with listening exercises such as pop-ups (see below, right) and surveys used by the team to determine the needs of communities.

Key ways to get involved with Active Oadby and Wigston’s programmes involve:

·        Searching for, and following Active Oadby and Wigston across social media

·        Visiting their website: www.activeoadbywigston.org.uk

B Gohil asked what inclusive offer was available through Active Oadby and Wigston’s programmes. R Levy said that programmes such as our recent Inclusive Tennis sessions for adults with disabilities demonstrates that team are keen to ensure as many people as possible are able to participate in programmes. R Levy agreed that more could be done to ensure that in marketing and communications of programmes, it is made clear that programmes are accessible and inclusive.

Action: R Levy to communicate to Active Oadby and Wigston team to ensure that inclusivity of programmes is made clear to audiences.

Cllr J Kauffman asked how what was being done besides using social media to promote Active Oadby and Wigston’s programmes. R Levy said that pop-up sessions in the community allow for conversations to be held with community members themselves who may not otherwise use social media. Posters and leaflets are also displayed in prominent areas.

Foqia discussed access issues at Uplands Park, in Oadby. In particular, access to toilets was mentioned, and how they were locked, and this is a barrier to using the park. Further, it was noted that loose dogs pose an issue to those of certain faiths. For instance, if dogs approach and touch those wearing religious garments, it means individuals have to change their clothes before praying. Thus, promoting messages around responsible dog ownership was suggested.

Action: R Levy to inform colleagues in Community Safety of this and for relevant signage/campaigns/messaging to be instated regarding responsible dog ownership.

Foqia also mentioned recently introduced parking charges as a barrier to accessing green spaces and health and wellbeing programmes across the Borough, and transportation in general around the Borough. The location of Brocks Hill Country Park being roughly 0.2 miles off the main road means it is further to walk to access, which can also be a barrier to accessing this green space.

Cllr J Kauffman responded to the comment about the location of Brocks Hill saying that there used to be a signpost meaning you don’t have to follow the access road round to the park, yet can do a cut through. It was asked whether this signpost needs to be made clearer.

Action: R Levy to liaise with relevant OWBC colleagues to determine if walking signpost needs to be installed.

Cllr Haq addressed that the toilets at Uplands Park has been a recurring issue, and for health and safety reasons, it has not been possible to open them.

B Gohil stated that there is a Community Transport scheme which can offer subsidised transport to and from community events.

Action: R Levy to send round information regarding Community Transport scheme to attendees.

R Mbedl asked what Oadby and Wigston Borough Council had done to communicate messages about the COVID-19 vaccine, with R Mbedl noting that she had not received any communication about it. R Mbedl stated that it is important for key messages, such as on the vaccine, to be culturally nuanced.

Cllr Haq noted that Oadby and Wigston Borough Council has been using social media to communicate messages on the vaccine, in addition to the work of the Council’s Community & Wellbeing team and Leicestershire County Council who have done stalls in the community promoting COVID-19 information and handing out lateral flow tests.