Wellbeing Network 13.2.18 - News Update
Thanks to all who attended the Denbighshire Wellbeing Network on 13th February 2019. All presentations from the meeting are available here:
The Network is an open meeting for third sector organisations, Denbighshire County Council, other public sector organisations and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board to share information on local, regional and national initiatives. It provides an opportunity to raise issues and explore opportunities for joint working and meaningful collaborations.
In the meantime, read on to find out what we discussed, and what actions we agreed!
At the start of the meeting, Helen Wilkinson provided a verbal update of an email exchange between Helen and Sally Baxter, Director of Strategy at the Health Board about the ongoing consultation in relation to Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) Third Sector Strategy Consultation process. BCUHB is in the process of developing this Strategy to be consistent with their three year plan 2019-21. The engagement process commenced in August 2018. Sue Wright, Wellbeing lead for DVSC’s Third Sector Influencing Group, gave an update on what had been discussed at the Stakeholder meeting with BCUHB.
The Network was advised that discussions between BCUHB and third sector colleagues has led to the suggestion that BCUHB develop a set of principles by which the Health Board works, and engages with the third sector, rather than a further strategy document. The idea is then that the guiding principles can be used to ensure that wherever BCUHB work with the third sector, representatives can hold us to account for working to those principles.
BCUHB have been looking at various examples of principles for partnership working and would like to explore these further. BCUHB is also discussing partnership working through the Regional Partnership Board which is now a major part of the partnership structure, and there is a recognition that BUCHB and other public service partners need to be sure that third sector colleagues feel fully engaged there and at the PSBs.
There has been a suggestion that BCUHB could work alongside Local Authority Compact meetings and BCUHB is going to explore this further. BCUHB have also met to discuss the third sector budgets and are looking to devolve those to be linked into the Area partnership arrangements. A North Wales Forum meets a couple of times a year to shape the overall approach and ensure there is consistency. BCUHB Finance colleagues are working on this and Sally Baxter has recommended internally that there needs to be third sector representation in that forum to ensure the sector’s views inform what BCUHB does.
Finally, Helen reported that Sally Baxter had said that BCUHB was hoping for confirmation of the transformation bid with Welsh Government in the near future, and that there is a tranche of funding for third sector support in that which hopefully provides an opportunity for BCVUHB and other public sector partners to ensure third sector are fully engaged in the integration work
Helen suggested that DVSC could invite BCUHB colleagues to the next meeting of the Wellbeing Network. Discussion was held on everyone’s thoughts on having the next Wellbeing Network as more of a workshop, specifically focused on ‘What are the Principles of good Partnership Working and how can we put this in practice’. There was support for this as an agenda item at the next meeting.
Helen also noted that DVSC’s Third Sector Influencing Group aims to influence all public service partners and that the suggestion of involving BCUHB in Third Sector Compact meetings would enhance collaboration and partnership working by bringing BCUHB into meetings between DCC and DVSC’s Third Sector Influencing Group and would be smarter use of people's time by reducing the number of meetings. Helen said that this was something that could be actioned promptly and Helen said that she would follow this suggestion up directly with DCC and include BCUHB in that communication.
Postscript: Helen attended the meeting of North Wales CVC Chief Officers the week after the Wellbeing Network, at which Sally Baxter from BCUHB was present. There was a consensus by third sector colleagues that there was a need to have a distinct third sector strategy, and that should be presented as one of the enabling strategies underpinning BCUHB’S 3 Year Plan whilst mainstreaming the principles of partnership working with the third sector in the main plan itself.
It was also recommended that further work needed to be done to focus on the partnership and engagement landscape to embed collaboration and integration and that there was a need to involve the third sector, citizens and service users but in ways that were meaningful and did not over-engage or duplicate networks already in place
Sue Wright gave an update on what had been discussed at the Stakeholder meeting with BCUHB.
The BCUHB presentation on the new draft strategy and engagement timeframe is here.
Key actions agreed in relation to this agenda item were:
DVSC to contact Sally Baxter, BCUHB to attend the next Wellbeing Network on Wednesday 19th June.
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In addition, there were presentations on the following:
Macmillan Cancer Support – “Advanced Care Plan” by Ros Johnstone.
‘My Health, My Care, My Decisions’ booklets handed out, their purpose is for the keeper of the booklet to document their wishes and preferences for future care, end of life care, funeral plans etc… People are encouraged to share some of the pages with others so they are aware of the individuals wishes.
The booklets are currently available from the Macmillan pods at; Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, Ysbyty Gwynedd and Ysbyty Maelor. In the future they hope to have them available in GP Surgeries and Memory Clinics. You can also download or print off your own copy of the booklet here.
For more information please contact Ros Johnstone on: rosalynde.johnstone@wales.nhs.uk
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Public Health Wales – “Screening for Life” by Hannah Lloyd.
National Screening Programmes in Wales available in Wales fall under 3 categories; Cancer, Non-Cancer and Maternal & Child. Hannah spoke about What Screening is and why is it offered – Screening looks for early signs of disease or condition in people who do not have symptoms, to be able to increase the survival rates by catching the disease or condition early.
Hannah focused on Breast Cancer screening, why it is offered, what it looks for and who is invited. Women aged 50-70 years who are registered with a doctor will automatically receive an invitation to attend a screening every three years.
Screenings will take place either on a mobile unit or at their local breast screening centre. The screening vans are due to be in the local area at; Denbigh, Ruthin and Corwen soon, dates will be publicised on our network and social media platforms once we are made aware.
As part of the screening process, Public Health Wales are also looking for Screening Engagement Volunteers, all information of the roles and who to contact can be found on the poster here.
You can find out more information on screening in Wales at: http://www.screeningforlife.wales.nhs.uk/ or by contacting the North Wales Screening Engagement Team on: 01978 726 703
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ASD info Wales - The North Wales Integrated Autism Service by Jack Rowson. This initiative is funded by the Welsh Government through to 2021, providing access to Autism Diagnosis and Autism Support, including parent/carer support. Along with Autism consultation advice and training to all local agencies, information/advice drop in’s throughout each county and a resourceful website where you can also undertake Autism Awareness E-Learning: https://www.asdinfowales.co.uk/
The referral form for the North Wales Integrated Autism Service can be downloaded here.
Jack also ran through the ‘Can you see me’ campaign – new Autism Awareness scheme hoping to promote understanding and acceptance, amongst communities in Wales in order to improve access to facilities and reduce stigma that many autistic individuals, their parents and carers experience.
ASD have produced a variety of promotional material to promote the scheme including; a range of posters providing tips for community provision, along with leaflets for GPs and dentists. There are a series of resources to help individuals let others know they have autism (should they wish to), these include a wrist band, card, smartphone screensaver and a car window sticker. You can view more information on the campaign, including the promotional video here.
JR also touched on the ‘Keep Safe Cymru’ scheme launched by North Wales Police. The scheme is designed to make vulnerable people more aware of their personal safety, to encourage reporting of a crime – especially hate crime – and to seek help if they need it. It works on the premise of the vulnerable person registering for a card that will hold basic information about the individual such as how they communicate, if they have any health issues and any emergency contacts such as parents or carers.
To find out more about the scheme or to download the registration form go to:
For more information on the North Wales Integrated Autism Service please contact: jack.rowson@flintshire.gov.uk
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Denbighshire Community Transport Hub – Overview on the current situation of the transport aids available in throughout the county at present - broken down into each area; North, South and Mid Denbighshire.
Project proposal 2019 – to develop Community Transport Hub for Mid Denbighshire, linking Community Transport in Mid Denbighshire with the existing options in North, South and beyond; which would offer wide range of options for residents of Mid Denbighshire to access Health Services, Leisure, Shopping and Social opportunities
Your help is needed to support the Community Transport Feasibility Survey: Community Transport Feasibility Survey to be conducted throughout February 2019 to gauge and evidence need for community hub development, hope to gather at least 200 responses from a diverse group of people from across the county, who will help to shape these services into the future. Please distribute the Survey to your clients / participants, and support them to complete and return these to Debbie Neale at DVSC by 1/3/19.
The online survey can be found here:
Cymraeg - https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/D37JTN8
English - https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/XWKYQX3
To get involved, or to find out more about this new initiative, please contact:
Michelle Clarke – michelle@ctauk.org / 07504 778433
Jane Walsh – jane@ctauk.org / 07747 020369
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Further Information -
Dementia Grants – Money is still available! DVSC are currently running our Dementia Aware Community Led Grant Programme and are welcoming applications from both individuals and organisations.
So if you have an event, activity, or training session which can raise awareness about dementia within our communities, and wish to apply then please download and complete the application form and return to DVSC via post or email. All criteria and information regarding the grants can be found at the top of the application form.
DEADLINE for this round is: 28th February 2019.
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ICAN – BCUHB and the Third Sector are working in partnership developing three ICAN Centres across North Wales which will be based at the Maelor, Glan Clwyd and Bangor hospital sites for an initial 4 month period to undertake Proof of Concept testing.
The learning gained from this trial will inform how the roll out of the ICAN centres will progress across the community and away from the hospital settings. The scheme started at the end of December 2018 and is currently running throughout all three hospital sites.
The centres will be staffed by Third Sector organisation staff and volunteers.
Full information on the ICAN Centres, what support they can offer, who is eligible and how you can volunteer can be found here:
For more information please contact: meinir.evans@mantallgwynedd.com
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DCC Community Support Service, Healthy Carers – Jo Dixon introduced herself as the new Healthy Carers Worker for DCC’s Community Support Services. The scheme supports unpaid carers and those that do not recognise themselves as carers, in Denbighshire. Carers are assessed and given support to help and assist them, this includes help with; stress, manual handling, their own health etc…
They also have courses coming up in the next few months for the Dementia Virtual Tour Bus.
For more information on the service please contact Jo Dixon at: joanne.dixon@denbighshire.gov.uk or on 01824 712953
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RCS Wales – Provide a range of services to support people with health barriers to enter, sustain and flourish in employment.
The current “In Work Support Service” provides support for those living or working in Denbighshire, Conwy, Gwynedd or Anglesey, who suffer with a low to moderate health condition and find it is impacting on their work or they are on sickness leave due to it. It is aimed at those who do not have access to Occupational Health services.
Referrals will receive fast track to counselling, physio etc… and receive 6 free sessions.
The RCS also deliver a range of training for employers/managers as well as employees. Details on their upcoming training sessions can be found below in the ‘Dates for your diaries’.
For more information on the service please contact Angela Watt at: Angela.Watt@rcs-wales.co.uk or via phone on: 01745 336 442 / 07747 040 155
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Dates for your diaries:
RCS Wales -
Managing Sickness Absence on Thursday 7th March 2019 9:30am-12:00pm at Porth Eirias, The Promenade, Colwyn Bay
Wellbeing Interventions for the Workplace on Tuesday 19th March 9:30am-12:30pm at Hwb Dinbych, Smithfield Road, Denbigh. More information regarding these courses and how you book your free space can be found here.
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Connect Buddies –
‘Burger and Bowl’ on Wednesday 13th March, 6:30pm - 9pm at The Ffrith Prestatyn. This event is volunteer led and is free for adults with learning disabilities, living on the coast who would like a ‘buddy’. To book on to this event contact Celia on: 07734 507 435
‘What’s Next?’ on Wednesday 20th March 2019 10am - 2:30pm at Colwyn Bay Cricket Club. Fun interactive workshops and discussion about friendship and relationships with speed dating and lunch! To book a place call: 01492 536 486
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North Wales Women’s Centre -
Yoga Group - every Wednesday 3:00pm-3:45pm at North Wales Women’s Centre, Rhyl. £1 per class.
For more information, please contact, Miriam Kisby at: Miriam.kisby@northwaleswomenscentre.co.uk on phone on: 07809 537 176.
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As part of the ongoing joint commitment of the Wellbeing Network for everyone to take responsibility for keeping informed, sharing information and encouraging others to get involved:
Please like/follow DVSC on social media, @DVSC_Wales, and via our Facebook page, DVSC subscribe to the News Updates and blog. Deadline – Ongoing for everyone
If anyone has any specific agenda items for future meeting or wants to deliver a presentation at the next meeting please email – engagement@dvsc.co.uk. Deadline – Ongoing
If you have news, information or case studies you want to share, email us – engagement@dvsc.co.uk and we can promote the information via our blog, social media or include in the next edition of the Wellbeing Bulletin. Deadline - 2nd August 2019.
As the membership body for the third sector in Denbighshire, and the leadership body promoting wellbeing, voluntary action and social enterprise in Denbighshire, we very much welcome your views and opinions on key issues.
We would also love to increase the number of participants attending this Network, so join us and become part of a movement for change in Denbighshire.
The next meeting of the Wellbeing network is 19th June 2019 at 1pm – 4pm at DVSC Offices, Ruthin. Please email engagement@dvsc.co.uk to confirm attendance and please encourage others to come along.
In the meantime, keep connected, and please spread the message about all the great work being done by DVSC, and its members to enhance individual and collective wellbeing in the County.
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As part of our service commitment to promoting and supporting individual and community wellbeing in the County, we share the information below with you.If you believe this is a priority area for further discussion at DVSC’s Wellbeing network meetings or Membership Forum do let us know. In the meantime, please read on, and make your views known. If you want to find out more about infoengine, a platform developed by the third sector for the third sector, then visit our infoengine page.
