Agenda and draft minutes

Everyone was welcomed to the meeting and introductions were made around the screen.

Apologies were received from Cllr Anna King (CoChair), Neelam Aggarwal, Rachel Duncan and Mavis Mundirwa

The minutes were agreed as a true record.

The last meeting had to be cancelled due to unavailability of the Co-Chairs.  The next meeting was scheduled for 10-11.30am on Tuesday 8 March.  Any one who is interested in joining the group please contact Jane.Houston@voicenorthants.orgto be added to the list.    Eleri Stated that DS Clare Harvey would be attending the meeting to answer questions. 

Laura Boatwright

The project was set up to be a multi-agency one stop shop to support women at risk of exploitation to county lines/sex trade.  A lot of good work was already going on but it was not joined up and required agencies to signpost to each other.  Since SWAN had been disbanded in 2013 there was no specialist support for women who wanted to exit the sex trade.

Partners already engaged included

Change Grow Live

West Northants Council

NAASH

C2C Social Action

NHFT

DWP

Bridge

Hope

Cases were taken on if they fulfilled 1 or more of the following criteria but they needed to be ready to make the change:-

·         Customer stated they were at risk

·         They had historical links to county lines/sex working

·         They had current links to county lines/sex working

·         Situation they were in put them at risk (ie drug use, homelessness)

·         Their behaviour indicated they were being exploited

Monthly case conferences shared information to identify the customer was at risk and provide the support they needed immediately and the provision would be bespoke to the person.  They would ensure the person was claiming the benefits they were entitled to so they had their own money, help into accommodation if necessary and to get other types of support as appropriate. They currently had 12 cases for discussion at the next meeting.

Funding had been secured for a 6 week session where they could learn the signs they were being exploited and how to gain self-confidence.  This included an away day with activities.

Tina asked if referrals could be made and if the project would ultimately get funding if successful.  Laura responded that currently only the partners involved in the project but asked if anyone knew of anyone to send details and she could speak to the partners to see if they were known.  Also, it was hoped the project would attract funding for a full time role as it was currently being undertaken alongside Laura’s normal job.  Kettering had already expressed interest.

Pauline stated that it was a great project, going out to women in crisis rather than getting the women to go to the various services.  She also asked if there any room to extend to include community organisations.  Laura stated that yes, she had reached out to partners asking for any organisations they knew who were providing support, and asked that they be put in touch.

Irene stated that it would be good to link with Laura as gambling was a hidden harm and these women would be at high risk for gambling to try and get a bit win, or to be forced into sex trade to earn money to pay for someone else’s gambling.  She asked that anyone they came across to get in touch with Laura providing the person gave consent.

Eleri was concerned that police were not engaged and thought it would be something perhaps for CIRV.  Laura stated that they had been asked but they had concerns that it could be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

Cllr Stone thanked the Council for celebrating national days in the way they did and stated that not many local Authorities did this at all or not as well.  The only small criticism was that there were many women who could be making the Inspirational Woman presentation – this will be fed back.

Debbie stated that the plan was still to run a scaled down event at the Guildhall.  In order to give more space and keep people as safe as possible it was not possible to provide refreshments or live entertainment.  This gave the Court Room as well as the Great Hall  for stalls so they could be more spaced out.  There would be some entertainment and interviews played over the big screens in both rooms.  The Inspirational Woman awards would be by invitation only in the Jeffrey Room but would be filmed and relayed down to the big screens so no one need miss anything.  It would also be live streamed on the Council’s You Tube channel for those at home and available later as a recorded video.  There had been 63 nominations for Inspirational Woman with a fairly even split across the 2 categories.

Diana’s role at NHFT was Equality and Engagement Manager and it was a treat to have a women’s group. She was more than happy to lend support to this group if required and Forum members we welcome to contact her directly - diana.belfon@nhft.nhs.uk.  There were some brilliant women out there and she agreed we should celebrate us!  Within the NHS she was working on the mandatory vaccination requirement which, if brought in, would impact on not only existing staff but volunteers, future staff and contractors. 

Laura reported they were holding several events including a youth hub at Northampton Library for 18-24 year olds.  There had been a decrease in Universal Credit claims for that age group.  Face to face appointments were being reintroduced as from Thursday.  They were being approached employers desperate for staff, offering increased wages and flexible working hours which was good for women who have the main care responsibility.  Previously employers had said no to offering flexible working times but they were now changing their minds.

April reported that Creating Equalz and NDAS were starting a DA recovery tool kit programme on 21 February for black and brown women who had left an abusive relationship.  It had been specifically tailored for cultural needs and was a trauma informed programme.  It would be online, on Mondays at 10-11.30am and last for 12 weeks.  It was not just for women in refuge or who appeared to have complex needs, but any black or brown woman as long as they had left the abusive relationship.  This would be led by April and she was also training other professionals to train. Divya would be the NDAS support and she said she was very glad to be on board and would be trained to take group work.  https://creatingequalz.co.uk/domestic-abuse-recovery-toolkit/https://twitter.com/CreatingEqualz2/status/1485871250073432068?s=20

Alex – gave an update on funding available - as always, if anyone needed more information or support, please contact Alex@ncf.uk.com

Global Goals Fund for Northamptonshire

The Global Goals Fund for Northamptonshire aims to help build a sustainable and safe future for Northamptonshire communities. The fund will focus on the following themes in 2022 which aim to address: decent work and economic growth; reduced inequalities; sustainable cities and communities; peace, justice and strong institutions.

This is a rolling programme meaning you can apply at any time and the maximum funding award is £3000, for more information please visit - http://www.ncf.uk.com/grants/grant-finder/global-goals-fund-northamptonshire

Arts Council Let’s Create Jubilee Fund

The Let's Create Jubilee Fund will support voluntary and community groups to develop creative and cultural activities as part of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June 2022. This fund has been created by Arts Council England (ACE) with funds from the National Lottery. It is open to voluntary organisations with charitable aims and working towards a common goal which does not have to be based solely around arts and culture.

Groups can apply for amounts between £750 and £10,000. Projects must:

• Focus on art and creativity
• Engage with at least one of the artforms  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

Tuesday 29 March 11am - Teams