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Sevenoaks District Plan 2015-2016 1 Sevenoaks District Partnership Group Annual Report April 2015 March 2016 Supporting Valuing People Now to happen in Kent

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Page 1: Sevenoaks District Partnership Group District AN… · Sevenoaks District Plan 2015-2016 6 The ‘Community Chef’ delivered an interactive session where people prepared a healthy

Sevenoaks District Plan 2015-2016

1

Sevenoaks District Partnership Group Annual Report

April 2015 – March 2016

Supporting Valuing People Now to happen in Kent

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Contents page

2

Introduction …………………………………………………………......................... 4

Health Sports and Health event and Inclusive Sports........................................

Kent Wide Target……………………………………………………………………………….. Accessible Information Standard……………………………………………………….. Better access to health information ………………………………………………….. KCHT Easy Read Group ……………………………………………………………………….

5 5

8

8

9 11

Employment Kent wide employment target……………………………………………………………

13 13

Housing

People with learning disabilities and their families have less access to appropriate housing across the district ……………………………………….

15 15

Citizenship Keeping safe Kent wide target ………………………………………………………… Voting workshops………………………………………………………………………………. Listening workshops and listening event …………………………………………… Keeping safe events and workshops……………………………………………………

Independent Police Advisory Group ………………………………………………….. Swanley Gateway Event ……………………………………………………………………..

18 18 21

22

24 29 30

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Rural Communities Mapping Project…………………………………………………..

32

Personalisation Making it Real in West Kent ……….......................................................... Think Local Act Personal Event …………………………………………………………… Other Work

DPG Film……………………………………………………………………………………………. Adult Education Response Programme………………………………………………. South West Kent Newsletter ……………………………………………………………..

34

34

35

36 36 38 40

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Introduction

Community Futures manages the District

Partnership Groups in:

Tonbridge

Tunbridge Wells

Sevenoaks

It is part of the Kent Valuing People Partnership, a

group of organisations who support Kent County

Council to make Valuing People happen.

Each District Partnership has a Valuing People

District Worker who works with people to make the

District Annual Plan happen Charlotte Spirgel-

Sinclair is the Valuing People District Worker for

South West Kent.

District Partnership Groups look at the 6 main things

within Valuing People Now:

Health

Employment (jobs and getting ready for work)

Where people live / housing

Being in control of your life Personalisation)

Citizenship

Young people becoming adults (Transition)

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Health

Sports and health event and setting up inclusive sports activities

Aim To increase participation of people with a learning disability in inclusive sport. What we did The District Partnership Group in partnership with Sevenoaks District Council and Sencio Leisure set up a sports and health event to gather evidence to support future opportunities for getting people with a learning disability more involved in sport. People with a learning disability were involved in setting up this event, including planning what sports were available, designing the flyer and volunteering on the day. 60 people attended this event. The event included a taster session of: • Badminton • Tennis • Swimming • The gym • Boccia • Line dancing The Sevenoaks District Council provided the Smoothie bike, which lots of people used and learned about healthy eating. Nutritional information was available for people to look at and take home.

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The ‘Community Chef’ delivered an interactive session where people prepared a healthy meal. We surveyed 20 participants to find out what types of sport they wanted to see at their local leisure centre.

The results - 16 people said that they would like boccia - 12 people said that they would like curling - 10 people said that they would like line dancing - 8 people said that they would like bowls - 6 people said that they would like tennis - 5 people said that they would like badminton - 4 people said that they would like swimming

What changed or happened as a result? The District Worker met with the leisure centre and the Council to discuss the findings of the survey. The following actions were agreed:

16 people with learning disabilities were involved in checking access to the main leisure centres;

Provision of inclusive sports sessions, by or through promoting existing programmes. For example, Aqua-fit, swimming, gym use, dancing;

Provision of monthly inclusive sports sessions including boccia, line dancing, and gym;

Discussions with Kent Adult Education regarding the delivery of healthy cookery courses for people with learning disabilities;

Delivery of inclusive archery sessions achieved through a shared funding application;

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Further consideration to staff training looking at reasonable adjustments for disabled customers within the main leisure centres.

Quote from Adam Perry, Director of Community Services, Sencio Leisure ‘It is always a joy to find partners who represent their client group with such passion and commitment. Working with the Sevenoaks District Partnership Group has helped Sencio understand the learning disability agenda much more clearly and has allowed us to develop some very useful partnership initiatives.

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Health Kent Wide Target Accessible Information Standard

Aim To support the new NHS England Accessible Information Standard which becomes law in July 2016. This law means people with disabilities and their carers should receive information that is clear and easy to understand.

What we did We approached Dr Howard Leicester, Health Watch, West Kent Clinical Commissioning Groups and Kent Community Health Trust to raise awareness of the Accessible Information Standard and partnership working. We submitted an application to NHS England and Sevenoaks District Council to produce an easy read guide that professionals can use to help them produce easy read information.

What happened as a result? The funding bid to NHS England was unsuccessful.

However, we have been added to their Accessible Information Data Base.

Our application to Sevenoaks District Council was approved and will fund an updated version of our easy read desk guide to be circulated to 500 community organisations.

The district worker has been invited to be part of the Kent Community Health Trust Planning Group, overseeing the implementation of the accessible information standard.

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People with a learning disability have better access to health information Aim To have better understanding of the information people with a learning disability need to better self-manage their health.

What we did We undertook semi structured interviews with a sample of people with learning disabilities living in SW Kent. 37 people with a learning disability were surveyed to find out about what easy read health information is required. The topics were:

diabetes

healthy eating

keeping fit

health checks and

stress management

smoking, drinking and drugs

cancer

sexual health

heart attacks and strokes

end of life planning

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What has happened as a result?

Findings from the survey revealed that easy read information was needed on the following topics:

diabetes

eating well

health checks

stress management

This information was reported back to the Good Health Group and to Kent Community Health Trust as part of a larger programme of work to enable patients to better self-manage their health.

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Kent Community Health Trust (KCHT) Easy Read Group Aim To support KCHT with the production of easy read information concerning local health walks.

What we did We held a KCHT easy read reference group in Sevenoaks at the Mulberry. This group looked at information on health walks produced by health trainers. Julie Wells a health trainer from KCHT attended to explain to the group where the information will be used and what it will be used for. 6 people with a learning disability attended this and put their views forward on how the information presented to them on Health Walks could be easier to read.

What has happened as a result?

Kent Community Health Trust incorporated the group’s recommendations into their final health walk document.

The information is now available on Kent Community Health Trust website.

The Trusts is monitoring increased uptake of health walks and the diversity of membership.

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Quote from Charlotte Wood, Kent Community Health Trust “Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust has been working in partnership with the DPGs for about 2 ½ years. This has given the trust an opportunity to work with groups of people with a mild to moderate learning disability and test whether the information is clear and easy to understand. Over the years the trust has been able to develop and improve their information based on the valuable feedback received from the focus groups. It has also supported the trust to identify certain pictures and meanings that are used each time for continuity. The focus groups have had a positive impact and has empowered people with a learning disability to feel confident to share their ideas”.

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Employment People with learning disabilities face significant barriers to employment and are under-represented in the work force Aim To work with Job Centre Plus to better understand the barriers faced by people with a learning disability who are looking for paid work.

What we did We held listening events for DPG members across Sevenoaks district. We supported members to identify significant barriers experienced in job searching. We supported Job Centre Plus and KVPP to plan employment road shows for delivery across Sevenoaks. We promoted and signposted people with learning disabilities to Job Centre Plus work experience programme. What has happened as a result?

Views on employment and barriers encountered were gathered with 150 self-advocates;

Barriers were recorded and submitted to KVPP for Kent wide assessment;

One person was registered on a Job Centre Plus work experience programme;

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Volunteer positions were secured for two self-advocates at the Swanley Link.

We supported KVPP and Job Centre Plus with the design and creation of the Job Centre Plus employment passport.

.

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Housing People with learning disabilities and their families have less access to appropriate housing across the district Aim Development of a housing strategy specifically for people with a learning disability. The involvement of people with learning disabilities and families in the production of the strategy. Provide opportunities for people with learning disabilities to share their stories.

What we did

We held workshops in Sevenoaks and Swanley for families and people with learning disabilities. Gavin Missions, the Housing Policy Manager, attended from the District Council to inform everyone about the work that has been happening on housing in the district. 30 people attended these events. 11 parent/carers received information from the day as they were unable to attend in person. 2 people with learning disabilities spoke about their own experiences of having their own home and how they had managed the transition.

What has happened as a result? A £600 external grant was secured to fund the workshops.

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Increased awareness was made amongst elected members of the housing needs of people with a learning disability. £100,000 was awarded to a local housing association to refurbish and remodel housing for people with a learning disability in the district as a result of partnership working. Sevenoaks District Council is formally considering a change to current policy allowing people with a learning disability to remain on the housing register for more than one year.

The District Partnership Group will continue to work with Sevenoaks District Council, West Kent Housing and KCC to look to develop the housing strategy. We learnt from family carers that there aren’t any opportunities for people to view what is on offer to them with regard to housing schemes.

Family carers said that there was a need for local housing in the district especially for people that don’t drive. There is also a need for a supported living schemes where there are communal areas for people to meet.

Quote from Lyn Webb – Carers First

“People who attended had the opportunity for 1:1 support, both in terms of information and emotional support, and seemed to benefit from this. I am aware that one of the attendees has used information from the workshop to start to think about her daughter leaving home and becoming more independent.

Through our newsletters and email updates Carers First promotes the work of the DPG to the carers of those with LD on our database”.

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Quote from Gavin Missions, Housing Policy Manager, Sevenoaks District Council

‘’On behalf of Sevenoaks District Council, I have continued to work closely with Charlotte Spirgel-Sinclair and the DPG through 2015/16 and this has, once again, proved to be invaluable in our development of related strategy. We continue to work up strategy with the help of the DPG and this is helping to raise awareness of learning disabilities issues. In fact, and as a direct result of the increased awareness amongst elected-members, we have just awarded a local housing association with £100,000 to help refurbish and remodel its learning disabilities facility here in the Sevenoaks District. The DPG is also an essential route through to clients and these consultation opportunities help us to gain a much better understanding of the issues experienced by people with learning disabilities and their families and carers. Being such a specialist area of housing strategy, I rely on the support of Charlotte and the DPG.’’

Citizenship Keeping Safe (Kent wide target)

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People with a learning disability have less access to mainstream community resources and ability to access public and community services.

Aim To support the roll-out of the Shop-Safe Scheme across Kent.

What we did We supported the extension of the Shop Safe Scheme across Kent. We are doing this by:

we worked with Community Liaison Officers in the district to map venues to be part of the scheme;

we consulted people with learning disabilities through DPGs on where they would feel most comfortable in asking for assistance;

we contacted the Kent Dementia Friendly Communities Programme to avoid duplication and build a partnership;

we provided 2 keeping safe events involving the emergency services, trading standards and the Independent Police Advisory Group.

What has happened as a result?

DPG representation has been made at four meetings of the Independent Police Advisory Group for SW Kent.

30 people with learning disabilities have received information on keeping safe in the community;

30 people with learning disabilities are aware of when and how to report crime;

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30 people with learning disabilities understand what a hate crime is, and what to do should they encounter a situation that they find threatening or uncomfortable;

Sevenoaks District Council has very recently announced the Shop Safe Stay Safe Scheme. To make this scheme unique to the district they are working in partnership with Kent Fire & Rescue Service who will do home safety visits for any resident that joins the scheme, to help make their home safe and secure. The scheme gives people the confidence if they are feeling unwell, lost or confused or have come apart from their companion. They can enter any shop, business or pub that has the shop safe sticker in their window and ask for help. It also helps families have peace of mind that their family member or friend can shop safely and receive help if needed. All businesses that have opted into the scheme will be displayed on the Councils website and also have the chance to have free training on being dementia friendly. ASDA and the Stag Community Theatre have already signed up. Any person resident in the district can join by filling out a simple form, or a carer can do it on their behalf. Forms can be requested from [email protected] The scheme will be free for businesses and residents. Each person that is signed up has a designated key fob with an identification number on it and they business will contact Sevenoaks District Council who hold your details on a database and if they are contacted they will pass your details to the shop who will contact your designated person to come and meet you or an

emergency service depending on the situation.

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Voting workshops

Aim

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To increase the number of people with learning disabilities understanding and using their right to vote.

What we did We delivered a voting workshop to raise awareness of voting and how to vote. This was held in Edenbridge in April. At the workshop people learned: • About voting • How to vote • How to sign up to the electoral roll • How to find easy read manifestos The workshops used easy read information and were interactive. Participants took part in a practice a mock vote and got involved in practical activities to aid learning. We gathered information about who was already registered and gave out information about political parties and how to identify them.

What happened as a result?

25 self-advocates attended the workshop and received information on the voting process, and what to do at the polling station;

Easy read manifestos were provided and printed;

8 self-advocates who were not registered to vote received support to sign up to the electoral roll.

To hold listening workshops and a listening event Aim

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To enable people with a learning disability to decide local priorities for the District Partnership to work on.

What we did The District Worker held 6 listening workshops to look at what was working well, and what isn’t working so well in the Sevenoaks District. Workshops were held at:-

- Emily Jackson Close - St Johns Cottage - Home Farm Trust - Sevenoaks Day Service - Swanley Day Service - Life Choice - Evolve Some of the subjects that were covered at these workshops include:-

- Transport - Access - Support - Employment - Housing - Health care services

What happened as a result? These workshops were attended by 60 people and the information collected at these workshops were reported at shared event that was held in September. 50 people reported into this event from across all of the Sevenoaks district. Findings were presented by people with a learning disability.

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The Sevenoaks District Council Community Planning Department attended this event as part of the wider public consultation on local priorities. The 3 main points that came out of the listening events and workshops were that there are many issues around transport, access and the fact there is no Job Centre within Sevenoaks District. Findings from the listening events were submitted to the Planning and Projects Officer for Inclusion into the draft Sevenoaks District Plan. John Taylor, the Chair of Sevenoaks District Partnership Group will be featured as a community champion within the Community Plan. We will be acting on these issues as part of our district plan next year.

Mystery Shopping Arts, Heritage and Culture Services in Sevenoaks District Aim

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People with learning disabilities have increased access to arts, culture and heritage sites.

What we did We trained 6 people with a learning disability to be mystery shoppers. The training included teaching people about:

Being a customer

The role of a mystery shopper

What to look out for on a mystery shop

Creating a check list The group also took part in a mini mystery shop at the training venue to put their practical skills to the test. We worked with a commercial mystery shopping company to deliver an access assessment of Hever Castle, a major Kent and international destination.

What happened as a result? A report of findings was delivered to Hever Castle management committee and recommendations for change were made. Our recommendations included:

Hever Castle management committee are currently considering twelve specific changes relating to facilities including public information, improvement to paved areas and reasonable adjustments for people with mobility or sensory impairments. The management committee at Hever Castle are currently considering an ongoing partnership with the commercial mystery shopping company and quarterly visits by disabled people.

Swanley Link

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Our mystery shoppers have recommended that the Swanley Link introduce more tables and seating. Further to introduce easy read information and

communication aids for older and disabled people.

Discussions have taken place concerning the introduction of name badges for all staff and the provision of disability equality training to front of house staff.

Quote from Mark Perkins, Managing Director, Shopper Anonymous "It has been a pleasure to work with Charlotte and her team on the recent mystery shopping activities at the Leisure Centres and Hever Castle. We have gained many benefits from working with Charlotte, especially the understanding of how businesses treat people with learning and physical disabilities. The feedback sessions that I attended, that were organised by Charlotte, were eye opening and identified how commercial opportunities are being missed by businesses to appeal to people with physical and learning disabilities. Our association with Charlotte and the team spans three years plus.

Keeping safe event Aim To ensure people receive advice and information on

local services available to help people stay safe in

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the community, increasing awareness of hate crime and how to report this.

What we did We held a keeping safe event at St Luke’s Church 32 people attended this event. We had lots of different services there to give out advice including:

Fire and rescue team.

The police.

KCCs Vulnerable persons/safeguarding team.

Jigsaw Project

Trading standards

IPAG (Independent Police Advisory Group) Jigsaw Project did a presentation and a keeping safe in the community workshop they also shared their video:- Hidden Consequences, this can be seen here:- http://www.mcch.org.uk/jigsaw/index.aspx We advertised the disability hate crime awareness sessions that we are putting on in April. 12 people have signed up for this.

Keeping safe workshops Aim

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To support people with a learning disability to be safe in their community and know what to do if they feel like they have been a victim of crime. Jigsaws 'living in fear' 3-year research project told us that almost half of those surveyed experienced victimisation. Although the impact of crimes and incidents could be serious and long lasting, 62% didn't report incidents to the police. The workshops cover: - Disability Hate Crime Awareness. - E Safety sessions. - Keeping Safe in the Community. We plan to develop further sessions with other groups of people in the community including: - Parents and Carers. - Support workers. - People with higher support needs. - Young people. This will be an ongoing project in partnership with the Jigsaw Project; the Jigsaw Project is the first project in Kent to raise awareness of disability hate crime against people with autism and learning disabilities.

What we did The District Worker has worked with Julia Limbrions from the Jigsaw Project to plan a series of workshops to be delivered in the next financial year. 12 people have been identified and learning plans have been put in place. The first workshop will be taking place in April we will use monitoring and evaluation forms to demonstrate impact and will report on this in the 2016-2017 annual report.

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Quote from Julia Limbrions – Jigsaw Project MCCH “This past year, the Jigsaw project has been present at most of the DPG meetings held around Kent. Without these events, it would prove difficult to ensure that people, who are sadly often victims, would have limited access to the very important information we are giving on Disability Hate Crime, how to report it and how to keep safe. It's a fantastic opportunity for people to hear about us and be able to book our free workshops. We are also attending listening events and at these we are promoting the film we produce on bullying, that will be introduced to all secondary schools in Medway and Kent. In addition we are working towards setting up third party reporting hubs in various venues, we can offer training and a complete start up pack, as well as ongoing support. Again the DPG and listening events are vital in spreading the word and getting involved”.

Independent Police Advisory Group (IPAG)

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Aim To engage with and become a member of the Independent Police Advisory Group (IPAG) and be a critical friend. Ensuring people with a learning disability are represented within this group. What we did

The District Worker supported a member of the DPG to apply to become a member of the IPAG. The District Worker supports a member of the DPG to attend meetings and feed into the work that the IPAG does. What has happened as a result?

The District worker created and shared an accessible meeting guide and the easy read guide produced by Community Futures. The IPAG have attended 2 community events that the DPG have set up. The DPG have built an ongoing relationship with the police and members of the IPAG.

Kent County IPAG - Quote from Gurvinder Sandher Can you please pass on my thanks to Charlotte Spirgel-Sinclair for sharing the guide around accessible meetings. This is a really good piece of work and will no doubt help many colleagues including myself in the future.

Swanley Gateway Event

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Aim To learn about the new Gateway and the services it provides, suggesting support services that will support people with a learning disability and their families.

What we did We applied for some funding from Swanley Town Council. We held an event at The Woodlands in Swanley to look at the designs of the new Swanley Gateway and to look at how it will be used.

Claire Cormack, manager for the new Swanley Gateway, came along to talk to the group about what will be in the new Gateway. The new Gateway is going to be called Swanley Link - this was chosen by people of Swanley. There will be lots of different services going into the Link including: Library, Café, Post Office, West Kent Housing, Job Centre Plus, Sevenoaks District Council, Swanley Town Council, Changing Place, Meeting Room, MIND, and Citizens Advice Bureau. This will be a one stop shop for the Swanley Community.

What has happened as a result? A family member raised a privacy issue that she has had with the new Swanley Link overlooking her property. This issue has now been resolved and the family is very grateful for the DPG supporting them and giving them the opportunity to raise it.

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One of the members of the DPG raised that she had been working at the previous café for 10 years and now that the refurbishment has taken place she has lost her job. Following this event this person had an interview and has been appointed as a volunteer working within the café.

Quote from Vivienne Smith ‘I am so happy to be back here again’ Another person that was looking to gain experience in an employment setting has been successful in applying to the Swanley Link as a ‘computer buddy’ and has now started in his new role.

Rural Communities Mapping Project

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Aim

To better understand the needs of people with learning disabilities and their families living in the rural parts of Sevenoaks District.

What we did We applied to the Kent County Councillor grant scheme for some money to do some work in the rural areas of Sevenoaks. Councillor Pearman funded this project. Our project aim is to establish the number of people with learning disabilities living in rural South Sevenoaks and learn about their lives, need for support, and connections to the community and specialist support services. The District Worker worked with the Parish and Town Councils, Edenbridge Friendz, Kent Parent Carer Forum and other community services to find people within the following areas: - Edenbridge - Cowden - Hever - Mark Beech - Penshurst - Fordcombe - Leigh - Chiddingstone - Charcott - Four Elms We held a listening event in partnership with Kent Parent Carer Forum to find out what the barriers and issues are in local communities for people with learning disabilities and their families.

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What happened as a result? 30 people came to the event that we haven’t engaged with previously and shared issues and experiences. Stall holders gave out information on services that are available within the district, stall holders included:- - IMAGO - J&S Opening Doors - Common Work Bore Place - Sevenoaks District Council - Edenbridge Friendz - Health Watch A report was written and sent to Councillor Pearman.

Personalisation

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‘Making It Real’ in West Kent Aim To ensure people with a learning disability have a voice at the ‘Making It Real’ event. On the 23rd September the District Worker supported 3 people from Sevenoaks District to attend the West Kent Making It Real Event held by Kent County Council. Those that attended had the chance to feed back about issues that affect them with regards to personalisation and fed into a West Kent action plan. Since this time a successful Awards for All grant for almost £10,000 has been received and will be used to fund six workshops on the subject of person centred planning.

Think Local Act Personal Event -

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Building Community Capacity - Empowering and engaging communities 2/7/15 Aim To ensure people with a learning disability have a voice and to share our experiences and work with others. On the 2nd July the District Worker supported a member of the DPG to attend this event. At this event we were able to ask questions and feed into discussions around personalisation and community connecting. We met new people and shared our work with others.

Other work

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DPG Film

Aim To promote our work through the production of a DPG film.

What we did We held an easy read group, mystery shopping training day and a big sing event – at these groups people were interviewed about the DPG and how they felt it was making a difference to people. To showcase the film we held a film premier on the 26th January in Tonbridge and 71 people attended this: 21 Staff members 2 parents and carers 48 people who have a learning disability Quotes from the day:-

“Everyone should have a voice, on the film everyone did, we should all be encouraged to speak up.” A quote from a member of Tunbridge Wells DPG. “The world is changing for the better this just proves it it’s important for us all to come to things and put our opinions forward, the world is not perfect but it’s getting better.” quote from Tonbridge DPG member. “The film was great, and shows us what work is going on in Kent.” Quote from a parent carer from Tunbridge Wells.

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“The event was fantastic thank you all for your hard work, and the difference you are making for people with a learning disability, we will definitely be at your next event.” Quote from a parent carer from Tunbridge Wells. The film shown made people look at their own lives and many people said they could relate to the footage in different ways and generated discussion on things that people are able and empowered to do. At the film premier actors that were involved in the film were asked questions by the audience. Some of the questions included:- “How many takes did it take to make the film”? “Where is the film going to be shown”? Participants also got the chance to story board their own stories using DPG experiences and achievements as a prompt. Presentations included:- - Voting Work - An Individual’s independence and confidence - Health Walks - Ups and Downs Click on the link below to watch the film:- http://ow.ly/Xy37A

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Adult Education Response Programme Aim To increase uptake of courses by people with a learning disability.

What we did

The District Worker has met with Adult Education and West Kent Extra with regards to their response programme this is an inclusive programme where various training courses are put on for people in the community.

What happened as a result? 2 people with learning disabilities have signed up to the computer course which will help them in their volunteer roles. 1 person has signed up to accredited English and Maths. 1 person has signed up to self-esteem and confidence, healthy cookery, floristry courses. Those that have partaken in the courses feel more confident and are using the skills they have learnt on a daily basis.

Quote from a learner ‘’I am using the computer skills I learnt on the course as I am a computer buddy and work for the library, I also asked for homework that could help me in my new role, I really enjoyed the course and would like to do more in the future”. This person has gone on to do 2 more courses.

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Quote from a learner:- “The Tutor was fantastic she created a safe environment for me to learn in and went at a pace I could follow. I would recommend the course to anyone. Thank you for letting me know it was on and helping me sign up”.’ The scheme and the courses are being promoted widely we have built a relationship with West Kent Extra and Adult Education. West Kent Extra have referred three people on to the DPG to access information and services we provide. There is now an established link from the DPG to West Kent Extra and vice-versa.

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South West Kent Newsletter Aim To promote and share our work through the production of an easy read newsletter.

What we did The District Partnership Groups in South West Kent have contributed to a newsletter. We have sent out 2 so far the newsletters have information about up and coming events and promote the work that the DPG and community partners are doing. Someone with a learning disability has been in charge of interviewing people and working with the District Worker to produce this. The District Worker has supported this person in their role. The District Partnership Groups have also sent information to be included in the Kent Wide newsletter and 2 editions have been produced so far.

What happened as a result? Our work is being promoted far and wide and is sent out to 700 people. Local public community and voluntary services are sending out the newsletter to their contacts including:

Libraries

Leisure Centres

PCSOs

West Kent Extra

Councils

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Quote from South West Kent Libraries – Janet Davies “As Community Development Librarians, we have a good working relationship with the DPGs in Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells and Sevenoaks. Our Library Districts mirror theirs, for a start, which is an effective way to work. We are able to communicate with adults with learning difficulties via the newsletters for the different districts, which makes it easy for us to spread the message about library services that are relevant. We have been able to promote our Books Beyond Words stock and also to participate in the project to create new titles for this series. Without knowing our customers via the DPG, finding an audience would have been problematic”.

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Who we have worked with over the last year

Swanley District Council

Kent County Council

Kent Police

Libraries

Sencio

Hever Castle

West Kent Housing

West Kent Extra

Little Stirrers

Health Watch

West Kent Clinical Commissioning Group

Kent Community Housing Trust

NHS England

Avenues Group

Community Futures

Carers First

Kent Parent Carer Forum

Swanley Town Council

Anton Campaign Films

Adult Education Response

Swanley Town Council

Swanley Link

Shopper Anonymous

J&S Opening Doors

Common Work Kent Fire and Rescue