During the summer, new representatives joined the working group which has been involved in a wide range of discussions about SBC’s Review of Older People’s Services. Senior Social Work planners leading on the Review, including Calum Morrison, Bob Howarth and Barbara Harrison, have attended the working group to discuss and present proposals on the Review. This has included the Home Care Review, Day Care Review, Intermediate Care, Accommodation with Care and Access to Services Review of the Social Work Duty System.

…CONSULTATION PROJECT
As part of this Review, BVCCF staff facilitated independent discussion groups with service users and carers in 9 day care centre across the Borders. People who currently use day services and their carers were able to consider future proposals around day support and how this might be provided to meet the needs of the growing elderly population. Feedback from these consultation sessions has been collated and submitted to SWS.

The Carers Planning Group (CPG) made comments on the Scottish Government’s Respite Care Guidance and the BVCCF submitted a joint response on behalf of the CPG. The Princess Royal Trust (PRT) Borders Carers Centre made a successful application to the Moffat Trust to set up a Carers Support and Training Project which will assist with the implementation of the NHS Carers Information Strategy by placing Carers Centre staff within the BGH.

The MHWBF has focused on proposals around the integration of health and social work services, the review of adult mental health day services and the future of the Crisis Service. Representatives have been supported to attend the Mental Health Joint Commissioning Team, Day Services Working Group, NHS Nursing Review and discussions about the joint NHS and SAMH Crisis Service. Representatives report back to members of the MHWBF at each meeting.

…CONSULTATION PROJECT
As part of the consultation on the Review of Adult Mental Health Day Services, the BVCCF facilitated independent discussion groups within day services with service users and collated the feedback for the review. BVCCF staff supported service users/carers and other stakeholders to attend a special event about the Review held in September at Tweed Horizons. Issues following the closure of Springboard have also been discussed and followed up through a series of meetings with staff and service users facilitated by the BVCCF.

Officers attending MHWBF meetings to discuss various proposals have included Ruth Glassborow and Kevin Sanderson, Mental Health Services, NHS Borders and Elaine Torrance and Isobel Nisbet, Mental Health Planning Social Work Services. Mike Henderson, Senior Psychologist, NHS Borders also attended to inform members about the Integrated Care Pathway approach. Voluntary organisations have also attended to update members on the SAMH Crisis Service, the Borders Independent Advocacy Service and the Information and Support Service provided by the CAB.

From a Resource Centre within the expanded premises at Roxburgh House Court in Galashiels, the BDF provides an information drop-in service and runs the Gala Wheels project. The BDF supports user-led groups to address specific areas of interest, including the Borders Visual Impairment Network (BVIN) and the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Network (Borders). BVIN has been reviewing its way of working and the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Network has been attracting additional funding to expand the range of equipment available for trial on a home-loan basis.

The BDF Resource Centre has also provided a base for the Royal National Institute for the Deaf, ‘Hear to Help’ Project, which offers advice and support for people with hearing problems. Lesley Stewart, Development Worker, launched the service in March 2008 and the project aims to work closely with Health and Social Work Services to improve services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing across the whole of the Borders.

People First Borders held a successful Conference in June 2007. Members were informed about self assertiveness training and heard about local developments in Local Area Co-ordination. The ‘Getting Work and Being Included’ report was launched (see picture). This report was produced jointly by PFB and ‘Outside the Box’ and includes stories about the positive work experiences of people with learning disabilities in the Borders.

Members of PFB have been actively involved in the Citizens’ Panel and the Co-chairing of the Joint Learning Disability Board. Members have been involved in discussions about the Partnership in Practice Agreement and the ‘Making Choices, Keeping Safe’ policy and changes to day services and employment through ‘Ways 2 Work’. Members have been supported to attend events about Local Area Co-ordination and Self Directed Care and to participate in the Quality Network Review.

Members were consulted about the future relationship between People First Borders and People First Scotland and they decided that the Borders groups should remain affiliated to People First Scotland but be managed independently with support from the BVCCF. In February, a new Director from People First Borders was elected to the People First Scotland Board.