Minutes:
Tina, NRC - Started running survivor workshops for women and girls aged 14 years plus to give a voice to that community. The next one was at the Umbrella Fair on Saturday.
Lauren Fire & Rescue – The Fire Service now has a crisis line for firefighters past and present with mental health concerns, PTSD and as a response to the misogyny reports from London. It wasn’t specifically for women, but it was somewhere those with the protected characteristics could go for support.
Manni, Ramgarhia Board Northampton – Looking forward to IWD and had booked a stall. They were currently looking for an activity for children during half term, somewhere they could walk to from their base in Cromwell Street which was a registered Welcome Space and open to all. They had a senior citizens café / hobby morning, run by older ladies, which was getting interest from other ages. A free meal was provided with activities such as knitting. They were currently looking for support with yoga.
Elona – Albanian community event in Leicester Street hub every Wednesday 9am – 1.30pm with activities such as warm space, coffee, language for Albanian mums. Also getting other nationalities. Traditional Albanian activities on Sundays 2.30-5.30pm.
Sally – Women’s Business Networking events had been really successful with the next one planned for 25 April, everyone welcome. Lovely atmosphere with a good balance of business and community. Meetings were hybrid but more to be gained through attending and networking in person.
Sarah – Promoting service to all those affected by gambling, their own or someone else’s. There was no waiting list and people were generally contacted within 48 hours of referral. Those impacted did not have to wait for the person themselves, but could be accessing support straight away. Trying to take away the stigma as people do not want to talk about it. Always happy to attend community events and would be attending IWD again this year. Also happy to attend community meetings to talk about the service. Statistically every community has people who are impacted, it was completely hidden. Gamcare had been around for over 25 years but still many people have not heard of it.
Emma, Royal and Derngate – Currently have the co-production of The Frogs and the Clown Theatre with accessible, BSL and caption performances. Looking ahead, they are collaborating with BBC Radio Northampton, NHS and UoN on the annual Headfest to support and inform people around mental health and wellbeing. The Derngate hosted last year but unfortunately, with RAAC in the building, there was not enough space so it would be held at the Riverside Campus on 22/23 June with a few events at the Derngate.
Lorraine, Lewis Foundation – The Grosvenor Centre shop had started as a way of raising money with donated end of line stock but had found a new purpose. Every Wednesday and Friday students from Northgate were getting workplace experience by working in the shop, doing everything, to prepare them for paid work. The shop was open Monday – Saturday 9.30-5.30.
Dawn – writing the strategy for year. This year would be the PCC elections and a General Election which would affect the funding and where it came from. Always trying to raise the profile in the community including violence against men and boys who made up 8% of clients. Non binary made up 0.5%.
Debs, WNC now had 102 Welcome Spaces across all communities.
Two years since the invasion of Ukraine and they were looking to mark it in some way on 24 February. The newsletter went out to 1,800 people including community leaders so if anyone had anything to be included please send to forums.nbc@westnorthants.gov.uk by 25th of the month latest.
Future of the Forum – Debbie said that the previous year had seen a dramatic dwindling of members attending meetings, so much so, the future of the forum was in doubt. Was it still fit for purpose or should it just concentrate on the International Women’s Day event? We want your views, please complete this short anonymous survey - https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZWCM6PP