H o l y w e l l C o m m u n i t y C e n t r e , C h a f f i n c h L a n e , T o l p i t s L a n e , W a t f o r d , H e r t f o r d s h i r e W D 1 8 9 Q D

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Website:

www.wacas.org.uk

Email:

hello@wacas.org.uk

Telephone:

01923 216957

Services Include:

Elders Project

Supplementary School

Carers Support Group

Befriending Scheme

Sickle Cell &

Thalassaemia Support

Group

Disaster Relief

Watford African

Caribbean Association Annual Report 2012/2013

“Together We Can Achieve” Charity Number 1144021

Company Number 07618383

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Contents Page

Directors/Trustees

2

Chairman’s Report 3

Administration Report

4

The African Caribbean Elders Project Report

5

Watford African Caribbean Supplementary School Report

12

Watford Sickle Cell & Thalassaemia Support Group Report

14

Thanks & Acknowledgements

16

The Watford African Caribbean Association is supported by:

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Directors / Trustees in 2012/13

Clive Saunders – Chairman

Leslie Billy – Vice Chairman

Valerie Osborne – Secretary

Amidou N’Jie - Treasurer

Karen Ali (retired July 2013)

Cynthia Dixon (retired July 2013)

Ira Douglas (retired July 2013)

Sandra Fullerton

Sebastien Joseph

Althea McLean OBE

Arthur Mclean

Pearline McFarlane

Theresa Williamson

Daisy Peets (appointed July 2013)

Francis Nwofor (appointed July 2013)

Core Staff in 2012/13

Noel Akers

Maxine Morley

Olabisi Onanuga

Enid Saunders

Recognition Lunch for the Association hosted by the Freeman of Watford,

Mr N Tyrwhitt & Mrs Tyrwhitt

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Chairman’s Report 2012/13

WACA is now 37 years old. We have served the community in Watford and the surrounding

areas since 1976. The founders started an organisation that could provide for the social,

cultural and educational wellbeing of the community. The profile of the community has

changed over the years; however the challenges that existed then may have changed to some

extent but remain as important and significant today as they were back in 1976.

The last year has been another challenging one for the Association. You will recall that the

Association lost its local authority funding at the end of the 2011/12 financial year. We were

pleased to have negotiated a transitional fund of £20,000 from Watford Borough Council. For

the first six months of the last year we operated with very limited staff. Fortunately I was in a

position to offer some additional support until October, when we recruited two part time

members of staff; Noel Akers (Finance Administration and Development Co-ordinator) and

Maxine Morley (Project Co-ordinator). Maxine and Noel joined our two permanent members

of staff, Enid Saunders, (Luncheon Club Co-ordinator) and Olabisi Onanuga, (Carers Support

Worker) to complete the Team. We have continued to gain the benefit of the services, on a

part time basis, of Rose Sappleton as the (Assistant Cook). We continue to work on recruiting

a Cook and have recently started the recruitment process.

In May 2012, we had to make the difficult decision to move from our offices at Clarendon

Road to the Holywell Community Centre. The move was a great upheaval as there was so

much of our history associated with that address. We now occupy offices on the top floor at

the Holywell and we thank Watford CVS for accommodating us. The new location comes with

the advantage of also being the location for the work of TACEP, our Elders Luncheon Club.

Our Befriending Project has also moved and now operates from Leavesden Road Baptist

Church. We are grateful to the Church for accommodating us every Wednesday.

We extend our thanks to LloydsTSB, Henry Smith Charity, Herts County Council and Watford

Borough Council, who have all provided us with financial support, expertise and otherwise. I

personally extend my thanks to my fellow Trustees for their commitment and support over the

last year, and for remaining steadfast even when we were faced with significant challenges. I

would particularly like to extend my thanks to the Grants Officers and the Legal Services

Department at Watford Borough Council, who provided us with valuable support during the

year. The valuable contribution from our Volunteers, has enabled us to continue delivering

high quality services, given our shrinking staff base.

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Administration Report

At the time of writing, I have been working part-time for and volunteering at the Association

for six months. I have been impressed by the dedication, commitment and enthusiasm shown

by Volunteers, Members, Staff and Trustees. Even in these challenging times, I firmly believe

that the Association services continue to be needed and that by working together we can

achieve our goals.

During my short time, I have listened to comments from users and other stakeholders within

and outside the organisation. I found that communication is equally important as service

delivery, and to that end, I have created several cost-effective and efficient digital platforms to

inform, educate, recruit and raise income for the Association. This includes a new website,

www.wacas.org.uk, which contains features such as our services, the latest news, a short

survey for users, events and ways to get involved. To stay in touch, the Association is active

on Twitter, Facebook, Google Plus and Yammer, not to mention issuing regular e-Newsletters.

For our users and members that prefer communications in a hardcopy format, these continue

to be available by visiting our offices at the Holywell Community Centre, contacting a Trustee

or by approaching a member of Staff at the services we run across Watford. These innovative

ways of communicating with members is partly driven by the increase in the cost of postage,

printing and paper. We have now adopted a policy of only sending critical communications by

post.

Improvements are occurring on the back end side of our operations as we transition from a

paper-based organisation. We have introduced Online banking together with a new accounting

software, both of which will come online to assist meeting our contractual, regulatory and

legal obligations with funders, the Charities Commission, Companies House and others. The

software will also help Trustees plan for the future and identify potential efficiency savings

which can be redirected to improve the services we offer. The Association is also embracing e-

Commerce through our partnership with Herts County Council.

Going forward, I believe that the sustainability of the organisation is in our hands. Although

the road may be unclear at times, renewing partnerships, building relationships, innovation,

adapting to change and working together will be important as WACA approaches its 40th

anniversary.

Noel Akers - Finance, Administration & Development Co-ordinator

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The African Caribbean Elders Project Report

As our client base grows older, it is noticeable the many changes in their needs is becoming more pronounced on an individual basis. One such need involves helping them to make appointments for a variety of ailments. Throughout the year, many users were hospitalised or too ill to attend sessions. Contact with them is very important and could take the form of visits or telephone calls Many of the users have made meaningful relationships that are applied within and outside the club. These relationships have proved therapeutic – “I am so happy that I attend the Luncheon Club as I have made lots of friends who I can call when I can’t attend “one of the users commented. Outings Users enjoy going to the theatre, the cinema and shopping, which they generally find therapeutic. Activities Users like to engage in playing dominoes, a very strategic game and they also take great pleasure in teaching other members the game. This encourages much banter and laughter. Many people have learnt to play the game and the teachers take much pride in teaching the game to new users. Most users own a Word Search book and derive much stimulation from them.

New members Men Women 4 1 3

Seminars Throughout the year, various topics which fit in with the local National Health events calendar, are scheduled. This includes Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, National Salt Awareness Week, Prostate Cancer Month, National Smile Week, Carers Week, World Alzheimer’s Day, all topics which are relevant to the needs of our users. They find these sessions very beneficial and informative and look forward to these events. One user commented that “. . by attending these sessions, I gain much knowledge and I am able to ask relevant questions”. Following the session on Obesity more users have looked at their diets and made positive changes such as consuming more fish and vegetables and reducing their salt intake. They are given much encouragement and support with these issues Presently there are five users are Dementia sufferers who regularly attend the Club and always look forward to seeing other users. Their activities include: reminiscing, listening to

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music and playing dominoes. One user enjoys helping in the kitchen with the dishes and general tidying up.

Collaborative work Some discussions are on-going with two churches to partner us in looking at ways of working together. This will be mainly around craft ideas and Dementia initiatives.

No. of sessions No. attending 92 2000

Together we can achieve We saw the film The Help which showed us many aspects of life We walked in the grounds and admired its beauty We ate and drank and reminisced We went to the shops to get new stock We listened to the talks watched the slides We did it all together If we continue together We can and will achieve I would like to thank the funders, users, volunteers and all who made this year achievable despite the cuts. Enid Saunders – TACEP Co-ordinator

Our former office at Clarendon Road

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Carers Support Worker’s Report

Over the past year, the support for Carers in our community continues to focus on support services available in the locality. Our mission is to support the issues that Carers and the people they care for present. I present this year’s annual report, as one that acknowledges that much still needs to be done to ensure that caring families stay at the forefront of the service. It also demonstrates that their needs should be understood and responded to, amidst the reforms currently taking place. In the past years there have been significant changes for Carers and their families in areas of their health and wellbeing needs. The statistics for the overview of Carers are as follows:-

One in eight adults (around six million people) are carers. By the year 2037, it is anticipated the number of carers will increase to 9 million Every day another 6,000 people take on a caring responsibility - that equals over 2

million people each year. 58% of carers are women and 42% are men Over 1 million people care for more than one person

Financial challenges continue to plague Carers and their families in their everyday life. The present trend of events in the country has not made things easier for Carers hence the need to support them in money advice. It is evident that:

Carers save the economy £119 billion per year, an average of £18,473 per carer Over 3 million people juggle care with work, however the significant demands of

caring mean that 1 in 5 carers are forced to give up work altogether. The main carer's benefit is £58.45 for a minimum of 35 hours, equivalent to £1.67 per

hour - far short of the national minimum wage of £6.08 per hour (2012-2013 figures) People providing high levels of care are twice as likely to be permanently sick or disabled:

625,000 people suffer mental and physical ill health as a direct consequence of the stress and physical demands of caring.

1.25 million people provide over 50 hours of care per week All the above indicates that Carers continue to need all the support they can get. This can be achieved through effective advocacy, spontaneous referrals and quality programs through community activities which respect and enhance the needs of Carers as well as the person they care for.

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Caring is often an isolating activity that can limit the carer’s own opportunities and development. Many Carers neglect their own needs and can become socially excluded from traditional support networks such as family, school, friends, work and the wider community.

Our aim is to ensure that Carers are recognised, informed, involved and supported in their caring role. Carers continue to play a vital and central role in the provision of care, making an enormous contribution to supporting people in the community.

This previous year has seen our commitment to carers with the following priorities:

Carers Support Groups Health and Wellbeing – Health Awareness seminars and talks Advocacy Consultation and Involvement Breaks and Leisure Activities

Carers Support Group provides on-going support for carers, and also provides a forum where Carers’ expertise and experiences can be collated to bring about a positive change. It is obvious that the personal experiences of Carers are one of the strongest influencing factors in improving the services provided to Carers. We offer information on new legislation concerning Carers and offer necessary support in getting the right information on issues concerning Carers on a one to one basis. Assessment of needs continues through referrals by home visits or via TACEP or The Befriending Project. Promoting wellness physically and mentally with carers is our goal. Befriending Project Our Befriending Project, in its second year continue to provide a break for Carers to combat isolation, stress and boredom from the monotony of caring. This project is user-led, enabling Carers to have the opportunity to discuss and design the project and also contribute to its running. Most of the Carers using this service, bring along their individual rusty skills which after being re-invented help to stimulate them emotionally.

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Summary of Support Services 2012/2013

Home visits 85 Telephone calls 1350 Referrals 45 Befriending Project 1600hrs (3hrs and 506 sessions) Leisure outings/activities 5 (52 sessions and 242hrs) of break Breakfast morning 6 sessions and 18hrs Young carers break 18 sessions and 54hrs of break Health Awareness Talks 6 Advocacy 4

Partnership Working Our funding from Hertfordshire County Council supports and enables our work with Carers through referrals for needs to service users. The Primary Care Trust actively supports the care of diabetic users in the community with various programmes such as “diabetic foot care pathways”. We continue to receive support from West Herts Hospitals Trust (WHHT) in our Health and Wellbeing programmes especially the health awareness. Special thanks to the Endoscopy Department for their Bowel Cancer Awareness programme. Our gratitude also to the Patient and Public Involvement Department (PPI) for their strong support with general issues presented to us by people within the community. The PPI team also involved us in issues and changes in the hospital that will benefit people from our community. The Taster Session for their improved “steamplicity menu” involved two members of our community. The hospital now offer African Caribbean menu. However, we have taken up issues with WHHT on the equality criteria for the menu in relation to the needs of the African community. These views have been discussed with the Head of PPI.

Collaborative Working In July 2012, we took the lead in organising a “Health Lifestyles Seminar” which brought together various groups in the community. It was well attended with over 140 people taking part in the featured several activities, such as keep fit and health awareness talks. The seminar was a success and more of such collaborative seminars will be planned for the future. An extensive analysis of the event based on evaluation responses was outlined for our funders HCC to enable us access better ways of supporting people with diverse needs. Future collaborative work is anticipated for WACA as well as other organisations.

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Health Awareness Our health awareness programmes continues with the focus on high risk areas of the communities health needs and also on the national health awareness calendar. We are able to arrange such seminars with support from WHHT and through community engagement. Last year, we were privileged to have two seminars from a local Dentist Dr (Mrs) Idy Osibodu of High Oaks Dental Practice, St Albans on “Smile” and “Mouth Cancer. A talk on Diabetes was held in May 2012 by Dr Colin Johnston, Consultant Endocrinologist and Medical Director West Herts Hospitals Trust. The seminars were well attended and proved to be well informative. Mrs Bisi Adeoti, Bowel Cancer Screening Nurse also conducted two awareness sessions last year.

The Befriending Project continues as a ‘user-led’ group while the crafts based sessions are led by the users. The group has been making beautiful cards which they have sold. Many other handmade items such as cushions, chaise-lounge musical box are to be auctioned to raise funds. The group visited ‘The Ideal Home Exhibition’.

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Overall, my job is focused on meeting the needs of Carers, which is ever changing and looking out for hidden Carers. There is a need to work closely with the places of worship which is mainly churches in the local area, to raise money for some of the needs of Carers and to promote the job being done by the group. Because of the need to tread on the equality and diversity pathway, I held a coffee morning at Holy Trinity Church, Leverstock Green, to support the needs of Young Carers. Funds was raised at the coffee morning as well as at the breakfast morning, Jury’s Inn. Olabisi Onanuga – Carers Support Worker

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Watford African Caribbean Supplementary School Report (WACSS)

In the summer of 2012 the long standing presence of WACSS at Westfield Community

Technology College came to an end. Westfield School had previously announced that form the

autumn term we would no longer be able to use their facilities.

Fortunately WACSS was able to arrange an alternative facility at West Herts College.

We thank West Herts College for accommodating us. Both parents and children have

appreciated the facilities available at the College. Nevertheless, we extend our thanks to

Westfield School for the help and support we received from all Staff whilst at the School. We

wish the School well in the future and hope that children will continue to be encouraged to

participate in the activities of WACSS.

On moving to West Herts College in September 2012, attendance was averaging

approximately 20 children per week. By the end of March 2013, the average attendance had

risen to 30 children per week.

The school’s financial position remains challenging. During the year, income received

amounted to £1,800 from a £500 grant from Herts CC and parental contributions. However,

the School’s expenditure was £5000 which was used to cover teachers’ expenses.

We have had some disappointment too. Our low numbers at the beginning of the 2012/13

academic year meant that we did not have the critical mass of children to sustain our

Christmas Concert in 2012.

WACSS has made significant contributions to the academic achievements of our children over

many years. That is illustrated by the achievement of one of our pupils in the 2012 GCSE

Examinations. Nicholas Joseph, who has been a regular at WACSS from primary School,

achieved 8 A’s and A* 2 B’s and a C. That is a significant achievement which is of course,

primarily a reflection of his hard work, his mainstream school and the support of his family.

However, it is also rooted in the support and, encouragement provided by WACSS over the

years.

During the year, WACSS a number of our children entered the Hertfordshire Music

Competition. We were able to organise with Herts CC a very successful series of Music

Workshops at which Naomi Kapondoro and Manny Odion were runners up in the urban music

section.

We extend our congratulations to them both for their achievement and to all the children for

their participation.

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We also engaged in a number of other activities including:

Attending the pantomime – ‘Jack & the Beanstalk’ at the Theatre Royal Stratford in

January 2013.

Drumming session facilitated by Herts Music services was held in March 2013 for

parents and children

Visiting the Palace Theatre to introduce the children to the activities taking place at the

theatre

Received a number of visitors.

We have settled into our new surroundings at West Herts College and we love the access that

we have to a range of facilities not previously available for which we are grateful. One real

drawback at the College is the lack of storage space.

The School Committee members are: Esther Marcelle, Clive Saunders, Sebastien Joseph,

Carol-Ann Buxton, Joan Alison, Michelle Jervis, Marcia Johnson-Markland, Amanda Braithwaite,

Grace West, Michelle Green, Nicholas Joseph, Jeffrey Small, Noah Kaindama and Angela

Walford.

Our teachers and key Volunteers have been Trevor Moore, Angela Miller and Peter Igoche.

We extend our thanks to all our Teachers, Volunteers and Parents and all those who have

supported WACSS in any way over the last year.

End of Summer Term Walk July 2012 and Open Day September 2012

WACSS Committee

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Watford Sickle Cell & Thalassaemia Support Group Report

Part 1

On the 17th July 2012, the Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Support Group of Watford met near

the Harlequin Centre to promote the awareness of the sickle cell disorder. The Group

consisted of Mrs Dixon, Mrs McFarlane, Mrs Smith, Mrs Douglas, Mrs Nugent, Mrs Onanuga,

Mrs Blackwood and Mr McLean. Carol, a niece of Mrs Douglas, also assisted.

Refreshments and leaflets were given to the public who stopped for enquiries. They were

encouraged to learn more about the disorder and to support fundraising activities. The sum of

£28 was given from various individuals as donation for fundraising.

On the evening of 25th May 2013 at the Watford Seventh Day Adventist Church (Brixton Road)

a DVD of Pamela, a young lady who has Sickle Cell disorder was shown to an audience of

approx. 50 people consisting mainly of young people. This was followed by a discussion and

Eunice Blackwood was part of the panel who answered questions arising from the DVD.

Eunice Blackwood, Support Group Counsellor

Part 2

The last year has been very difficult for everyone and the Support Group is no exception.

However, there was a glimmer of light when, in July last year, the Group was informed that

funding had been secured by the Service Manager for Children’s Nursing for the appointment

of a Sickle Cell Nurse. In August, I was on the interviewing panel when the selection was

made.

Ms Phil Daly, Lead Nurse Specialist for Children with Sickle Cell Disorder, took up her post in

January of this year and is located between Watford and Hemel Hempstead. She is

responsible for providing Nursing support and advice for Children with Sickle Cell Disorder in

Hertfordshire.

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Phil met with members of the Watford Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Support Group and Olabisi

Onanugs the Carer’s Support Worker at The Holywell Community Centre on 30th April 2013 at

11:00hrs. The purpose of the meeting was to meet with members and gather information

about the Group. She was also informed about the work that had been done and our vision

for the future. It was decided that the way forward was to continue to bring an awareness of

Sickle Cell Disorder to the public. With that in mind, it was decided to have a Sickle Cell

Awareness Evening in September this year. The venue will be a place within the community

and Phil will be the Speaker. The date and time will be announced at a later date.

In March 2013, I gave a talk on Sickle Cell Disorder to a Group of Retired Doctors and Nursing

Staff at the Education Centre, Watford General Hospital. One of the Doctors worked with

individuals suffering from Sickle Cell Anaemia and told us of his experiences. We hope that

this year the Group will promote more awareness of the condition within and outside our

community.

Deloris Smith, Support Group Counsellor

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Thanks & Acknowledgements

The Association has survived a difficult and challenging year. That task though difficult, was

aided significantly by the contribution of a number of organisations and individuals.

We would like to acknowledge the following who have supported Watford African Caribbean

Association with its work over the past year:-

ASDA Watford Superstore

Helping Hands Watford

Hertfordshire County Council

Henry Smith Charity

Howard Wilson

Watford Borough Council

LloydsTSB Foundation

Watford & Three Rivers Trust

West Herts College

Our Staff

Our Volunteers

Our Directors/Trustees

Individuals, organisations and the community of Watford, who have supported, engaged and

participated in any of our activities over the last year.

Our sincere thanks to the Freeman of Watford Mr Norman Tyrwhitt and Mrs Tyrwhitt, for a

lovely summer afternoon tea at Cheslyn House in July 2012. This was a recognition and

reminder, that our work is noted and appreciated.

Last but not least, we want to thank all of you, the members and supporters. The work is

certainly not done and we hope we can continue to call on your involvement and support in

the future.

Many thanks.