Agenda and minutes

Attendance: Michael Macleod (MM, NBC), Debbie MacColl (DM, NBC), Morcea Walker (MW, Individual), Rachel Packman (RP, Northants Police), Lucy Somers (LS, iDID Adventure), Paula Whitworth (PWh, Womens Institute), Mavis Mundirwa (MMu, Individual), Cllr Anna King (AK, Co-Chair), Pauline Woodhouse (PW, Co-Chair).

Apologies: Kate Scott, Ann Bodsworth, Pindy Chahal.

Minutes accepted.

ACTION: AK to arrange with Martin O’Connell for the Youth Forum to learn more about the WaSH, possibly a visit.

Organisations such as Zimwomen have had to move from the Portfolio Innovation Centre at the University, many women’s businesses have had to move.

2^nd winner of the inspirational women’s award is the founder of iDID.

Take referrals for rock climbing for people with mental health issues. Free course, 6 weeks. Fully funded through children in need – funded for 3 years. Using adventure sport as a platform to help increase confidence, self-awareness and peer relationships. Also a fun new skill to learn. 4 courses each academic year and 6 to 8 people for each course. Referrals come from many different avenues. 1 on 1 basis. This is to help them build peer relationships and gradually have attendees climb together.

Another programme, inclusive climbing club £15 per session, this runs Sundays during term time, available to anyone. This can include anyone who has any social, physical, sensory, learning or communication issues. There is a fee for this one but it is for those who do not think they could learn the sport or access the sport who would not do this under ‘normal’ circumstances.

These services are about to occur in Corby and the idea is to branch out to different climbing centres to be more available for all.

The long term goal is to become self-sufficient.

PW - it is worth getting in touch with Esther Simpson who runs young Healthwatch.

DM - 3^rd December IDD would be great if you could come to promote your organisation. 11am-3pm.

LS - I also work with Deaf Connect who would be great for IDD.

25^th November til 10^th December.

The aim is to hold various events throughout these days. Days at the one stop shop, the walk and another film are all possibilities.

ACTION: DM to contact Northampton Filmhouse about screening a film.

MW this could link in with the IDD.

Diwali happening in the town centre.

MM Autism event this Saturday, parents coming in to share their story and professionals to share their knowledge.

Kingsthorpe community hall – 4pm-9pm Autism event.

19/9/18 is national memory day in the Grosvenor centre. MM has sent out flyer.

Next month, black history month event – 20^th October. Looking to invite event organisers or community leaders.

ACTION: MM to send out information from Mavis once received.

MMu looking for professionals and young people to come and talk about gangs and knife crime. Between 1pm and 6pm in November sometime.

MW We should all be cautious about spreading ourselves too thin, if there are 2 or 3 events which are covering a similar topic, partnerships would be more suitable. This results in better information and for the attendees to not have to pick and choose.

Food poverty/food hunger exhibition taking place at the Derngate.

NADASA looking to hold talks about domestic abuse, mainly for employers, looking to take place mid next year.

MW thank you to AK for all the help with the carnival float. Please go onto the website and look at the pages on the scrutiny groups.

PWh is there a chance to have a women’s only disco event in Northampton with all funds going to a women’s charity? Could be connected to the international women’s day – maybe at The Platform.

ACTION: MM to add CLS and CAB to a future agenda.