Wandsworth Care Alliance

Going Geen – Online Conference – Wednesday 8 March

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Going Green – Wednesday 8 March 2023

There is no denying the climate emergency. Extreme temperatures, droughts, floods and air pollution aren’t just distant issues in the future, they are happening here and now.

For a sector that takes pride in working towards a better world, charities have been surprisingly slow to commit to more environmentally friendly working practices within their own organisations.

But expectations and pressure on the sector are mounting, and charities, large and small, are waking up to the challenge. If doing the right thing isn’t motivation enough, there are more and more financial incentives to take your climate impact seriously: from donor expectations to funder requirements, the need to demonstrate your charity’s sustainability track record is increasing fast.

We know it’s difficult to commit time, resources and effort to improve your climate impact, especially with a cost-of-living crisis putting the sector under strain. But it is a necessary journey for all of us and time is of the essence.

Join us as we’re bringing together charities at various stages of their sustainability journey to discuss and explore how we can all do better on this vital issue, no matter where we currently stand.

Who should attend?

This conference is for anyone interested in making their charity more environmentally friendly. It has been designed with both larger and smaller charities in mind and will include useful information for those just starting out on their green journey as well as those looking for more advanced ideas on improving their sustainability.

The conference will be especially relevant to:

  • Charity leaders and senior decision-makers
  • Those in charge of operations of a charity (HR, Operations Directors, etc.)
  • Those in charge of charity reporting (finance, accounting, impact)
  • Charity trustees

More information and to book your tickets: https://www.dsc.org.uk/event/going-green-online-conference-2/?dm_i=6S7,86Q8V,40I2DX,XK29X,1

Voicing Views – Mental Health Needs Assessment

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The Voicing views project has always been actively involved in understanding the existing mechanisms, networks and organisations which already support, develop, and connect the Charity sector organisations to the Integrated Care board (ICB) to ensure the local communities service users Mental Health needs are seamlessly met.

In late 2022 the first Wandsworth Mental Health needs assessment was undertaken in over a decade, and It’s fair to say the Mental Health landscape has changed significantly since the last one.

During this time the nation’s economic climate has changed, and we are now living in the era of ‘Permacrisis’ driven by Brexit, The Covid-19 Pandemic, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the cost-of-living crisis.

The Covid-19 Pandemic heightened risk factors associated with poor mental health – unemployment, insecurity, and fear – whilst simultaneously depriving individuals of the usual coping mechanisms to mitigate this uncertainty, including social connection, daily routines, physical exercise and attendance at school or work. This has led to a significant and unprecedented worsening of the population’s mental health.

Faced with all these debilitating future defining events it’s of no surprise Substance abuse and Mental Ill health accounts for 21.3% of the total burden of disease in England. The estimated cost to the UK is £118 billion a year, equivalent to 5% of the GDP.

On a positive note, the past decade has seen the profile of Mental Health go from being synonymous with the pariahs of society, to a more acceptable term for most members of society who are struggling to cope with adverse life experiences, although some negative preconceptions still exist.

The aim of the Mental health needs assessment is to:

  • Understand the level of mental health need across Wandsworth borough and how this being met by services.
  • Inform policy and commissioning intentions for mental health services over the next 5 years.

The objectives of the assessment are as follows:

  • Estimate the scale of mental health need in the Wandsworth population, including in groups at increased risk of mental ill health.
  • Estimate levels of unmet mental health need.
  • Understanding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of the Wandsworth population and whether any specific groups have been disproportionately affected.
  • Develop recommendations for more effective and efficient services that better meet the mental health needs of the population.

The needs assessment covered the following cohorts

  • Childhood and adolescence (0-19)
  • Working age and adults (16-64)
  • Older people aged 65+

Having been given the opportunity to work directly with Stakeholders across the borough there has always been demand for services to adopt a needs-led approach rather than the historic approach of diagnosis followed by a specific support pathway.  The Needs assessment echoes this but also looks at ways to ensure service users remain pivotal to the Wandsworth Community Mental Health transformation in the coming years.

Amongst a multitude of changes required is the need for ‘eco pods’ across the borough that allow for service users to be supported in more community-based settings without losing the expertise or dynamism they may get in other parts of the borough.

This is an important document which identifies the considerable range and scale of the mental health issues facing our community and sets the scene for the planning of services over the coming years.

Through the report there are many common themes like the effects of Covid-19 on services, Waiting times, Increased prevalence, limited resources, and limited time to support service users.

The one common theme which is missing which resonates with Voicing views, is through all the events of the last decade it is mainly the Charity based organisations that have been able to quickly pivot and adjust from one crisis to another and have still been able to engage and sustain a good level of mental health and wellbeing for the community they serve.

The Wandsworth Mental Health Needs Assessment is available to read at:

https://wandsworth.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/public-health/public-health-publications/other-public-health-publications/mental-health-needs-assessment/

Healthy Community Grants

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WCA’s Voluntary Sector Coordination Service is offering small, time limited grants for up to £8000 for community groups to recruit community health champions – volunteers who will run programmes of activity which help their users to access the COVID vaccine, healthy living strategies and take charge of managing their own long term health conditions.

This could be building on something your organisation already does or be completely new! Potential activities could include communication, training volunteers, peer support groups, simple community based self-management activities or other creative approaches.

Your idea should aim to target individuals experiencing health inequalities associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cardiovascular disease (CVD) and those underrepresented within the COVID vaccination programme to date.

  • COPD (respiratory disease) happens when the lungs become inflamed and damaged, usually caused by smoking. The breathing problems tend to get gradually worse over time and can limit normal activities.
  • CVD (heart disease) is conditions that affect the heart or blood vessels. It is one of the main causes of death and disability in the UK, but it can often largely be prevented by leading a healthy lifestyle.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to Polly by email polly@wandcareall.org.uk or mobile on 07599133681 for further information or to access an application pack. 

The Advocacy People – Advocacy for Children and Young People in Wandsworth

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“It’s about listening to the young person, taking time at their pace to discover what they need and want, and making sure their voice is heard.”

Independent charity The Advocacy People is now supporting children and young people in Wandsworth.

But what is advocacy?

“Advocates work alongside young people who might need support to have their voice heard,” explains Matthew Hilton, CEO at The Advocacy People.

“We take time to find out who the young person is, what they feel, what’s important to them, and how they would like their life to be. We make sure their wishes are represented, and their rights are upheld, particularly when it comes to decisions being made about their accommodation, their health and their social care.

“Advocacy is also about helping the young person develop the skills and confidence to be able to speak out and express themselves as best they can: to take an active role in shaping their own life.”

The Advocacy People have provided services to children and adults in many parts of the South of England since the charity was founded in 1994.

“We’re really pleased and excited to begin working with young people in Wandsworth,” said team manager Jo Jarman.

“Over the years we’ve already been delivering advocacy in places like Bromley, Bracknell Forest and Kent, and we’ve established some great partnerships.  I’m proud that we are trusted to take on this new contract, and we’re very much looking forward to working with the excellent, vibrant groups supporting children and young people here.”

The Children and Young Person’s Advocacy service is there for 0–25-year-olds, including those who are looked after or privately fostered, young people leaving care, and children who want to make a complaint about their care. Advocacy support is also available for children who are disabled or have special educational needs, young carers, children on mental health wards, and children who are subject to Child Protection procedures, as well as 16–17-year-olds at risk of homelessness, and young offenders.

Together with partners in the borough, The Advocacy People will reach out to those groups whom they know would greatly benefit from advocacy, but who may not be aware of the service.

“It’s really significant for us, to be providing advocacy for Children and Young People,” said Jo.

“Part of our role is to equip young people with the skills to self-advocate that will see them through into adulthood.

“The advocates will be a stable, consistent presence, which is a good thing for young people, particularly around that age of 18 when other adults such as teachers and social workers may change or no longer be part of their lives.”

Child Protection is just one of many scenarios where an independent advocate is there to support.

When a Child Protection case is progressing, it is a traumatic time for all members of the family. The advocate’s role is to understand the child’s needs and wishes and represent these as a case is being considered by the local authority – and to be a support to a young person to speak up for themselves, if appropriate.  

Advocates spend as much time as is necessary with a child, observing them in different situations, and using things like games, drawing and role play to open up communication.

“It’s really important to recognise that children have their own needs,” Jo explains.

“Our role, no matter which type of advocacy is being provided, is to make sure the child’s voice is being heard, in the midst of what can be an awful lot of noise and clamour all around them.”

Professionals, families and children and young people themselves can make a referral to The Advocacy People by texting PEOPLE to 80800, by calling 0330 440 9000, by visiting the website www.theadvocacypeople.org.uk or by emailing info@theadvocacypeople.org.uk

Wandsworth Council launches Citizen’s Assembly on Air Quality

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Letters have been sent out to a cross-section of Wandsworth residents to join the new Citizen’s Assembly on air quality.

Wandsworth has pledged to review its Air Quality Action Plan and will set ambitious new targets to clean up the borough’s air.

It has set up the Citizen’s Assembly in order to hear the views of local people. A group of randomly selected residents will meet to learn more from experts, discuss what can be done to improve air quality and make recommendations to the council.

The process will be led by a team of independent facilitators with expertise in convening a Citizens’ Assembly from the social enterprise and community interest company Shared Future.

Letters have been sent to a cross section of local people. Anyone who receives a letter and is interested in joining should let the council know by the end of this month using the contact details on the letter. A representative mix of around 50 people who are interested will then be chosen to reflect local diversity.

They will attend for four sessions and will be paid a fee. Towards the end of the sessions they will reflect on what they have learnt and discussed and will write a series of recommendations and priorities.

Cabinet member for the environment Judi Gasser said: “Cleaning up the borough’s air is a top priority for us, and we want to ensure Wandsworth residents have a chance to shape the action we take. We all know pollution is harmful to our health and the wellbeing of our communities. Now we need to come together and come up with a robust, shared plan to do something about it.”

There will also be an opportunity for other residents to share their views with the Assembly before they come up with their recommendations. Details on how to do this will be given in due course.

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