Minutes:
COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS UPDATE
Cllr Haq invited community organisations present to provide an update on their current work, in particular during the Pandemic.
V Ghiadli said that his social group at St Paul’s Church in Oadby returned initially from the Pandemic in July, and is returning back in February. Active Oadby and Wigston have been to the group twice to host community consultation and health advice.
L Green said that, over the festive season, Oadby Foodbank has provided 35 food parcels to Pupil Premium students and their families who attend the foodbank. During the pandemic, the foodbank was giving out roughly 60 food parcels per fortnight. The foodbank has received several enquiries about fuel poverty/electricity, to which they have referred individuals to Helping Hands. Work has been done with Leicestershire County Council’s welfare van to offer support to residents. L Green commended the work of the volunteers at the foodbank.
L Thornton said that Helping Hands are now returning to more face-to-face sessions, yet these are on an appointment basis. Helping Hands has been able to offer phone and internet appointments to service users.
Reverend S Bailey, representing the Anglican Church, said that online services have been offered as much as possible during the pandemic. St Peter’s Church offered weekly newsletters who couldn’t make online services. The Church has been a collection point for foodbank.
M Barton from LAMP Advocacy: Mental Health Care & Support Leicester introduced the work of this charity. On the basis that access to GPs has been challenging, especially during the Pandemic, LAMP work with service users to dig deeper and provide service users with other options following what GPs may be able to provide. LAMP help service users to articulate their needs and interests, acting independently. LAMP aims to help those with existing mental health diagnosis and ensure that their needs within the community are met. LAMP aims to improve community capacity to support those with ill mental health.
S Renton addressed that a mental health forum is being set up by the NHS for the Borough, this will be in early Spring 2022.
J Cloke addressed that a study of mutual-aid groups during the pandemic, conducted by Hull and Sheffield University will have publically accessible findings. The group in Oadby supported residents with prescription collections throughout the pandemic.
L Green said that work was being done by Plastic Free Oadby and that contact will be made to invite them to next meeting.
Shireen addressed the work of the Muslim Association’s Community Plodders, who support individuals by going on daily walks. Classes are now taking place in the building of the Association, in addition to online. Preventing isolation was identified as a key priority.
S Measures introduced the work of GoLearn!, this is Leicestershire County Council’s adult learning offer which provide full range of courses on employability, ESOL, independence skills. S Measures is keen to promote these services as much as possible. GoLearn! can offer bespoke sessions for a group with an identified need. S Measures happy to share the brochure but keen to show full range of what we do.
Action: S Measures to share with the group GoLearn!’s brochure.
P Fielden introduced the group to her Nordic Walking group. The main aim of the group is to increase physical activity but have found that the good community spirit of the group is good. Top down information from key services was noted to not always be so strong, and so encouraged more information on events and activities coming from the bottom-up.
Dr Latif, from the Royal College of Psychiatrists, then presented on mental health. He stated that in addition to those with existing ill mental health, the pandemic has resulted in a surge of new cases of ill mental health. Dr Latif discussed the importance of social prescribing, as a non-medication based treatment for mental health, for instance “prescribing” craft groups to combat social isolation.
The top three tips to improve one’s mental wellbeing were suggested by Dr Latif to be:
· Keep the mind busy with hobbies- eg. reading, maintaining the things we are interested in
· Physical activity- the release of endorphins being cited as so important for our wellbeing
· Have a nutritious diet- what we eat is inextricably linked to our mental health- 80% of serotonin is manufactured in the gut wall.
M Flynn noted the work of Local Area Co-Ordinators, who are there to support the individuals within the community to solve problems. Anyone can have the contact details of LACs who can also support build social capital in communities or signpost to other who can support. If anyone wants to know more contact details are mary.flynn@leics.gov.uk
M Taylor-Rai, via the Chat function, offered this narrative of the work of Buddhi by M: We provide holistic support for residents and have been part of the hub and support group from the beginning of the pandemic. We have a number of groups for Mental Health, Domestic Abuse, Men's Support Group, Violence Reduction, Alcohol, Drugs, Resilience and Emotional Regulation. We require support with referrals from professional and OWBC, pathways, raising awareness of what we do and funding. Email BuddhiByM@outlook.com
Z Sheikh outlined his interest in opening up facilities for community usage. Z Sheikh also thanked Cllr J Kauffman for his attendance at a recent event.
Foqia discussed the importance of addressing digital deficit amongst communities, and how funding availability was a barrier to long-term programmes.
T Malik, via the Chat function, brought attention to the Sangham ladies group, which does “a lot of different activities and gentle exercise supporting elderly women”.
A Dingley noted that the group had a budget of £1,900 to spend before April.
Action: Advice of applying to this grant will be made publicly available.