Forum Meeting - 7th June 2012

HAVACE FORUM MEETING 07/06/2012

Present  Rev Martin Coppen MC, Pat Jones PJ, Rev John Scott JS, James Croser JC, Terry and Ruth Hemming TH,RH. Val Kennett VK ,Lyn North LN

Apologies  Kerry Meaden, David Ankcorn, Dodie Marsden, Caroline Hoyes, Bill and Win Coventry

Report from Village Agents.

The I yr trial sponsored by Age Concern finishes at the end of June  (our agents started in September)

VK and LN felt that it had not taken off as expected, it had not reached the target market of the vulnerable. Despite this they had motivated some people to pursue things that they would not have, without help and they had given people confidence to proceed. They had encouraged people to get their entitlements. In some cases they had done the work for the clients, this was not their remit.

Having a specific day when they could be reached had not worked. Most contact at the lunch, coffee morning and in street! Also, by word of mouth.

There was some conflict with age concern on what they should be doing. They had not worked in the same way as other village agents. All villages worked in a slightly different way. Some ran talks and computer courses some just sign posted. VK and LN tended to be more hands on, mainly because of the kind of people they are.

VK and LN felt they could no longer continue under the age concern umbrella, the frequent courses offered , monitoring and visits from age concern took a lot of time ,more than the originally agreed hours. They also felt there were restrictions with the computer due to lack of WI-FI.

MC paid tribute to them both for taking the project on in the first place.

They said they were happy to carry on in an informal way but not under the age concern umbrella. Age concern is anxious to try to recruit a replacement.

There was discussion around them carrying on under the umbrella of HAVACE or Neighbour care it was felt they should talk to both the Parish Council and Eve at Neighbour care.

There was a discussion around VK and LN’s vulnerability CRB checks etc Neighbour care is already set up.

It was decided to put a note in the Hill and Valley to explain change in the village agents’ scheme.

MC and everybody present gave VK and LN a big thankyou.

MC updated us :-

A)    Fuel syndicate now has 200 people but needs more, possibly thinking of a leaflet drop throughout area. The village hall seems to have a group of people that combine with it for deliveries on the same day. 500 litres is minimum delivery. The question is can this be smaller if several deliveries all on the same day? As it stands it helps the better off people, but not those who can’t afford a large amount in one go.

B)    Is there an alternative for buying coal? The depot is now in Chandlers Ford and with a small number of buyers and sellers, less chance for competitive pricing.

C)    The question of bungalows for elderly in affordable housing was asked by Caroline Hoyes. (This is covered in the update on the investigation by HaVACE into total care scheme. Below.

D)   Martin and Maddy Winter visited Brendon Care Knightwood at Valley Park, Chandlers ford. This has been set up on the principle that nobody should ever have to move to receive the care they need, apart from when hospitalisation is required . This is a large setup: 30 apartments, 7 Bungalows and a nursing home. Restaurant, salon, leisure facilities  resource centre and housing local community nursing for PCT.

Can Brendon Care be a partner for us? Possibly interested in a domiciliary type service . The CEO of the Brendon care home pointed out that it was cheaper to build from scratch than convert an old property and it cannot be done without the support of the community.  Communities need to work out their own answers. The first thing to be done is establish that there really is a need.

How many people manage to stay in their own homes until they die? Would people move if they had an alternative easier place to live in? These questions need addressing.

            No further business was discussed.