Northants Fire and Rescue Service
Stefan Gardener-Potter
Minutes:
LGBTQ network established in the service and recruitment beginning in the New Year. Looking to reach out into different communities – seeking help to share this message and reach out and represent the wider community.
Amy to liaise to arrange informal ‘have a go days’ for
young people/adults pitched at different levels (fun/career). Stef
looking to open up Mounts for these days
as not been used in the past. Action: Aimee to share details
with forum from Stef/Amy.
Session would be an open drop in not formal. John offered to host NFRS on the radio and to cover any ‘have a go days’ – Action: Aimee to put Stef/Amy in touch with John (NLive) and Jacqui (Northamptonshire Carers).
Community Mental Health
Adam Smith (NHFT)
Minutes:
Adam Smith, Assistant Director and Crisis Pathway manager at NHFT: Teams are working hard to coordinate effective countywide mental health care countywide. However, this does not always meet the needs of the wider community and they are trying to engage with community groups to gauge experiences of mental health services from forum members, and/or members of their organisations.
Most people described GP or hospital as the place they would go for support. This is historically correct but there have been some changes:
MENTAL HEALTH HOTLINE: 0800 448 0828 (free phone number) or www.thementalhealthnumber.me for issues at any level. The service is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and provides conversational service, practical support over the phone and can access additional support for the caller.
The service has taken over 70,000 calls in its first year.
There are also several crisis cafes across the county – in Northampton, Anchor House with Northampton Mind. Additionally, two crisis houses providing respite in the county referred through these options. The service is also working with a wide range of partners across the voluntary sector, police, courts and A&E where people may need access to crisis support. NHFT recognise that this doesn’t always meet the needs of certain groups, in particular minority groups. If you know any places that could offer a space for crisis café the team can work with them and train staff.
Carly Galpin – Perinatal Mental Health Service Manager:
This service has been established over the past 3 years for those who experience or are at risk of worsened mental health during pregnancy or after birth. Extended for those experiencing neo-natal loss. The impact of covid means that many new parents have been unable to make links with other families and this has impacted mental health and the team are seeing an increase in referrals.
The service has worked with same-sex partners but no-one from trans community at this time and want to promote their service to this community to ensure it is accessible to all who need it. The service trys to provide an individual approach and use language related to that person but comms to wider audiences is a different matter. Lots of conversations are taking place around language and inclusivity and how this can be improved. The team would welcome comments and guidance to ensure their messages are continually inclusive.
Please contact Adam or Carly with any feedback: