Representatives
from VCS organisations will be in attendance to provide the Scrutiny Panel with
information regarding their experience of working through the Covid-19
pandemic; the work undertaken with the Local Authority; and potential next steps
for the recovery phase.
Minutes:
Representatives from various VCS organisations had been invited to
attend the meeting to provide the panel with further information regarding the
current topic. Present at the meeting
were Kim May, Operations Manager for Streets Ahead for Information, and Jenny
Bryson, Regional Services Manager for Recovery Connections.
The representative for Streets Ahead for Information provided the
following details to the panel:
·
With
regards to the present COVID-19 situation, it was felt that things were
returning to a state of ‘normality’, but exactly what that entailed had caused
confusion for people.
·
Streets
Ahead for Information provided a one stop service for residents to receive
advice and support. It was indicated
that since the start of the pandemic, the organisation had worked far closer
with other VCS partners to help support residents’ needs, which had become
significantly more complex. Membership
of the COVID-19 Champions Network had brought VCS organisations together and
encouraged them to share information and work together, which had been very
useful.
·
A
variety of work was taking place in supporting residents, with particular
reference being made towards the cost of living crisis and the impact that this
would have on vulnerable groups.
·
One of
the VCS’ strengths was the ability to provide support to ‘hard to reach’
groups; the example of holding two vaccination sessions in a community hub and
successfully reaching out to individuals, who would never have been contacted
previously, was provided.
·
Streets
Ahead for Information had received sustainability grant funding during the
pandemic to assist with projects, which included providing people with tablets
to remain connected and able to access support.
It was explained to Members that many residents in the Newport and
Gresham areas were not readily connected to digital services, either because
they did not want to be, did not know how to be, or did not have accessibility:
broadband accessibility was an issue. A
further project involved the employment of an Outreach Officer to door knock
and check on peoples’ wellbeing. The
panel heard that following the announcement of the first national lockdown,
some individuals took to their homes and had not re-emerged. Work was currently taking place to
reintegrate these individuals back into local communities.
·
Street
Wise was a monthly newsletter and web information source that was produced by
Streets Ahead for Information in collaboration with Middlesbrough Council and
Cleveland Police. The newsletter, which
informed about a wide range of Newport issues, was delivered to every residence
in the area, circa. 3500 homes. Generally
comprising 4-8 pages, the resource had been acknowledged as an excellent way of
reaching residents, as technology was not always available or the most
appropriate method. It was indicated
that language barriers had posed an issue in some instances.
·
COVID-19
flyers had been produced to provide information to residents in respect of such
matters as current guidance and regulations; vaccination advice; and reminders
that Streets Ahead for Information was available for other support services,
such as collecting prescriptions and running errands. It was highlighted that as a member of the
COVID-19 Champions Network, representatives could approach other VCS
organisations for information / advice where required.
·
A
Community Connectors group with a purpose of conveying information to all in
the locality had been planned to commence just as COVID-19 hit. However, it had since launched and was
working well. It was explained to
Members that the group operated on a recurring six-person contact basis, i.e.
initial contact was made with six people, who then subsequently linked to a
further six people, who then subsequently linked to a further six people and so
on. The group continued to grow.
·
The
issue of resuming ‘‘normality’’ had resulted in a project working closely with
Public Health. This had commenced very
recently and therefore no feedback was available as of yet. The project focused on vaccinations and
encouraging people to get vaccinated, as it appeared that many felt this was no
longer important. It was felt that a
particular strength of the VCS was to make contact with groups and individuals
that others had found it difficult to do so.
During the discussion that followed, Members raised
a number of queries. In response, the
following information was provided:
·
With
regards to the type of support provided to people experiencing financial
issues, it was explained that an advice drop-in centre was operated by Welfare
Rights. Work was currently taking place
to determine how a referral service could be established. The Street Wise publication had recently
focused on rising utility bills and provided advice regarding this. It was commented that vulnerable people did
not always know how or where to access information. Financial-related advice and support would be
a key focus for Streets Ahead for Information over the next three-to-six
months.
·
In
terms of issues with language barriers, Members heard that English for Speakers
of Other Languages (ESOL) classes were being undertaken in order to help
overcome these. Classes had been held
via social media channels during the pandemic.
Close links had also been formed with Nite
light CIC to assist with the provision of help and support (meal and drink
provision) to vulnerable groups. It was
indicated that Eastern European communities were structurally different to
other communities in that there were no specific individuals or leaders that
could be approached in order to link in, therefore work was continually being
undertaken to approach using different methods.
It was highlighted that Streets Ahead for Information would do their
utmost to provide help and support to vulnerable individuals and groups.
·
Regarding
lessons learned from the pandemic, the representative indicated that, as a VCS
organisation, if a need had been identified then it was vital to step-up. During the first lockdown, for example, when
the building was closed for three weeks Streets Ahead for Information staff
dealt with enquiries and provided support from home. In terms of the VCS, it was felt that there
was a requirement for organisations to work closer together and improve
communications between themselves and other sectors. The strength of the community was a key
benefit and the Community Connectors group was working well. It was highlighted that electronic
communication methods did not work in every community – print material was
preferable and more successful. It was
important that organisations remained flexible in their approach to reaching
out to residents; Streets Ahead for Information provided as much information as
possible within their print publications, but did use social media channels
too.
·
A
Member commented that the coordination between VCS organisations had improved
and it was important to keep the momentum going and continue to develop
that. It was queried whether there were
any current forums that allowed organisations to come together. In response, it was explained that volunteers
at Middlesbrough Voluntary Development Agency (MVDA) operated a meet-up group,
but those sessions tended to focus on one key issue. It was indicated that the COVID-19 Champions
Network had allowed representatives to meet together for discussion, with
meetings being operated virtually (which provided flexibility and saved travel
time). Members heard that the VCS sector
was underfunded and short staffed.
Reference was made to National Lottery funding, which had been difficult
to acquire due to the number of organisations (in particular larger voluntary
agencies which had needed to close retail outlets during the pandemic), seeking
sustainability funding – and sustainability continued to be a problem.
·
In
terms of potential ways forward, the representative indicated that the grant
funding provided by the government / Council had been invaluable. It was felt vital to maintain the links
between the different VCS sector organisations that had been created during the
course of the pandemic; creation of a forum to facilitate meetings and
provision of funding to continue ‘grass root’ activities would also assist.
The representative for Recovery Connections provided the following information
to the panel:
·
A
background of Recovery Connections and the work undertaken in relation to the
recovery element of drug and alcohol addiction was provided. It was explained that the organisation
operated a quasi-residential rehabilitation facility in Middlesbrough; the
contract for services was awarded to Middlesbrough Council in April 2021.
·
During
the pandemic, the client intake number had been reduced from eight to six, as
two of the facility’s rooms were double occupancy. The building closed its doors and the café,
event space and florist temporarily closed.
However, although the community element of the centre did close for a
short while, rehabilitation work continued on a fully staffed basis. Recovery Connections had been flexible in
adapting activities quickly, reacting to government guidance and transferring
to online delivery within two days of the first lockdown.
·
Receipt
of grant funding allowed for provision of tablets and telephones, although
groups did need to be restricted as not enough devices could be procured.
·
Recovery
Connections was part of the COVID-19 Champions Network, which had been very
positive for opening up communications.
·
As food
banks had not been readily available during the pandemic, 5000 meals had been
delivered through social enterprise.
During the discussion that followed, Members raised
a number of queries / comments. In
response, the following information was provided:
·
Regarding
the number of individuals accessing services and the success rate, Members
heard that Recovery Connections worked with partners in the Local Authority to
receive referrals. It was indicated that
the number of people requiring short term intervention, particularly in
relation to alcohol use, was increasing.
The most recent measurement for the rate of success was taken
immediately prior to the pandemic, and stood at 55%. This was similar to other areas. It was explained that a new system had been
implemented during the pandemic in order to provide data on how lives had
improved.
·
In
relation to barriers, adapting to new ways of working, following guidance to
maximise use of the organisation and whether anything would change going
forward, the representative explained that during the pandemic, services had
been led by those being supported.
Reference was made to the compilation of an online timetable for
activities - although individuals had stated that this was what they wanted,
the actual participation figures had dropped day on day. It was indicated that face-to-face contact
with individuals in recovery was better than virtual connection; technology was
not the way forward in this regard.
The Chair thanked the representatives for their
attendance and contributions to the meeting.
NOTED