User & Carer Working Group
This group is open to individual service users and carers with an interest in health and social care issues, as well as representatives from Social Work Services and NHS Borders. The agenda focuses on joint work in these fields between Scottish Borders Council (SBC) and NHS Borders. The group also concentrates on work around older people – in particular the Transforming Older People’s Services (TOPS) recommendations and their progress. BVCCF representatives on the User and Carer Working Group attend other planning meetings in areas such as homecare and telehealthcare. Guest speakers are invited along to update the group, or consult on new ideas and projects.
Mental Health & Wellbeing Forum
This group is open to interested individuals and service users in the area of mental health and wellbeing. The agenda has an ‘open forum’ where individuals can raise concerns and issues and report back from other meetings and projects in which they may be involved. Then staff and individuals give information updates from various planning and working groups, as well as updating on changes to projects and services within mental health. Guest speakers are invited from Scottish Borders Council and NHS Borders mental health services, as well as some third sector providers of mental health services, such as the Scottish Association for Mental Health and Re:Discover Borders. The group also hosts one-off events on particular topics which are raised in forum discussions, such as transport.
The Carers Planning Group
The Carers Planning Group is open to any existing or former carers who are interested in supporting the needs and rights of carers in the area. The group is linked to the original Scottish Borders Carers Strategy, and now also the Short Breaks Strategy (Respite), Young Carers Strategy and is currently looking at the New National Carers Strategy from the Scottish Government. The group has officers from both SBC and NHS Borders, as well as support from the Princess Royal Trust Border Carers Centre. The Carers Planning group is responsible for monitoring the progress of the various strategies to support carers in the Scottish Borders and scrutinises the work of both SBC and NHS Borders to this effect. The group also has representation from leads for carers within both SBC and NHS, and represents a partnership approach to supporting carers.
Individual volunteers can claim back any travel expenses for attending all meetings.
If you are a service user or carer using health and social care services, we need to hear from you! You are the only one who can tell the services how things are working for you. We would be very pleased to hear from you – please call 01896 757290 or admin@bvccf.org.uk for more information.
