Minutes:
John stated that he had not attended for a while as it often clashed with another meeting but had an interest as his wife had suffered a stroke in 1997. He thought the Forums were very important.
Cllr Chantler stated that his residents relied on him to keep them informed but they were often surprised when he turned up in a wheelchair. He had been brought up to carry his cross proudly.
Eleri – told the group that her area had similar parking issues, cars parked on the corner, half on half off the pavement. It took long time to get the neighbourhood team interested but then they did a good job and spoke to owners, who, when they realised what an issue they were causing, moved the vehicle.
Heather explained she had an issue in that she cannot renew her blue badge as she fell outside categories and didn’t qualify. This had gone to review and her local Cllr had got involved but it was still refused. Other issues experienced included taking 6 weeks to renew, having to renew when it was a lifelong debilitating issue and also that some areas of the country had an automatic blue badge for those on the higher rate PIP. Cllr Chantler stated he was initially refused a blue badge and would raise these issues.
Kit had recently talked about peer support training with those who had lived experience of mental health etc being trained to support others The next wave of training would take place in July and they were starting to recruit in May. There were lots of paid jobs coming up in NHFT around long term disability and mental health issues. For an informal chat and to find out more, please contact Kirstie Mycroft, Peer Support Co-ordinator, on 07842 301573 or email admin.peersupport@nhft.nhs.uk
Carl asked if a charity would be able to do this as they had a lot of members and they were all different. Kit stated that the training was intensive and interactive so was not sure how that would work but to have a conversation with Kirstie.
Carl asked if anyone was aware of any hydrotherapy pools, they had used the one at Moulton but were not allowed to use it any more.
Graeme gave some links for hydrotherapy pools he was aware of:-
Hydro Pool for Hire - Northgate Academy | Northgate School Arts College | Northampton
Other updates from Graeme –
Northants Carers taking on disability sports at Daventry Leisure Centre with 2 hour sessions of various sports then a swimming. Thanks to WNC, Maisie Summers-Newton won the Inspirational Woman Special Recognition Award.
Four Northants Swimmers Selected in Great Britain’s World Para Swimming Championships Squad Including Visually Impaired Twins Scarlett & Eliza Humphrey Who Will Be Making Their Debuts
Thirty-strong team named for World Para Swimming Champs | Para-Swimming News | British Swimming
Two Programmes of Interest for People to Watch on BBC iPlayer Regarding Disability Which Show the Positive Impact Sport and Physical Activity Has Had on Them Over the Years
BBC iPlayer - Silenced: The Hidden Story of Disabled Britain
BBC iPlayer - Ellie Simmonds: A World Without Dwarfism?
Northants Carers Have Taken on the Running of DISC (Disability Inclusive Sports Club) at Towcester Centre for Leisure and Regularly Had 50 People Attending
Disability Inclusive Sports Club (northamptonshire-carers.org) Contact Rose Kelly if you’d like to find out more about it, attend sessions as a participant, or volunteer on Rosek@northamptonshire-carers.org 07706346943.
Sport4Fitness Disability Family Fun Day
Their disability fun day is at Fernie Fields on June 26th. They’re looking for stall holders and activity providers. Please email info@sport4fitness-cic.co.uk if interested. Forthcoming Events – Sport4Fitness CIC (sport4fitness-cic.co.uk).
The Challenge Hub
This article on The Challenge Hub and its mental health / disabilities agenda came out last week in Disability Horizons magazine: https://disabilityhorizons.com/2022/03/the-challenge-hub-enabling-anyone-with-disabilities-or-mental-health-issues-to-reach-their-potential/
Activity Alliance Who says Campaign
The “Who Says’ campaign is well under way and Activity Alliance are looking for people to promote it by producing short videos to be posted on social media dispelling long held myths regarding disabled people and physical activity.