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Healthwatch Northumberland Annual Survey 2020

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Tell us your NHS, health and care experiences from last year.

We are running our annual survey during February and March this year, asking you about the NHS, health and social care you received in the last 12 months – it might be a new year but your experiences from 2019 still matter. Health services include hospital services, GPs, dentists, pharmacists, mental health and ambulance services. Social care is care in the home or in a residential or nursing care home.

By telling us about the care you received and what’s important to you, you can help us set our work for the coming year so that we can be more effective on your behalf.

You can also come and talk to us and tell us what you think of health and social care services at one of our public events below. Let us know about your experiences, what went well and what could be improved, and together we can help make care better for everyone in Northumberland.

If you are unable to come to one of our events you can leave your feedback via our online survey or get in touch to ask for a postal copy with freepost return.

 

Come and see us in your area!

Monday 3 February: Age UK Northumberland, Round House, Ashington NE63 9JZ: 10.00am – 1.00pm (part of the Northumbria Cancer Patient and Carer Group public drop-in)

Tuesday 4 February: Amble Youth Project NE65 0DT: 10.00am – 11.30am (Bridge Project Employability Hub)

Wednesday 5 February: No 28 Community Project, Hexham NE46 1DJ: 11.00am – 12.30pm (Bridge Project Employability Hub)

Thursday 6 February: Concordia Leisure Centre, Cramlington NE23 6YB: 1.30pm – 3.30pm

Thursday 6 February: Cheviot Centre, Wooler NE71 6BL: 2.00pm – 4.00pm (in partnership with Wooler patient participation group)

Wednesday 12 February: Rothbury Practice NE65 7UW: 10.30am – 12.00pm

Thursday 13 February: Northumbria Hospital (cafe area, lower ground floor), Cramlington NE23 6NZ: 10.00am – 12.00pm

Thursday 13 February: The Village Surgery, Cramlington NE63 6US: 3.00pm – 4.00pm

Thursday 13 February: Forum Family Practice, Cramlington NE63 6QN: 4.15pm – 5.15pm

Friday 14 February: Spetchells Centre, Prudhoe NE42 5AA: 10.00am – 11.30am (Bridge Project Employability Hub)

Wednesday 19 February: Seaton Delaval Community Centre NE25 0BW: 10.00am – 1.00pm (part of the Northumbria Cancer Patient and Carer Group public drop-in)

Wednesday 19 February: Adapt (NE) Community Information Morning, Hexham NE46 3HN: 10.30am – 12.30pm

Thursday 20 February: Morpeth Library NE61 1AF: 3.00pm – 5.00pm

Tuesday 25 February: Riverside Leisure Centre, Morpeth NE61 1PR: 1.30pm – 3.30pm

 

Wednesday 4 March: Morpeth Town Hall NE61 1LZ: 10.00am – 1.00pm (part of the Northumbria Cancer Patient and Carer Group public drop-in)

Monday 9 March: Hexham General Hospital NE46 1QJ: 10.00am – 1.00pm

Wednesday 11 March: Blyth Library NE24 2DJ: 10.30am – 12.00pm

Wednesday 11 March: Blyth Sports Centre NE24 5BT: 1.30pm – 3.30pm

Thursday 12 March: Haltwhistle Leisure Centre NE49 0AX: 1.30pm – 3.00pm (Bridge Project Employability Hub)

Thursday 12 March: Haltwhistle Methodist Church NE49 0AX: 5.00pm – 7.00pm

Wednesday 18 March: Wansbeck General Hospital, Ashington NE63 9JJ: 10.00am – 1.00pm

Wednesday 18 March: Ashington Leisure Centre NE63 9JY: 2.00pm – 4.00pm

Thursday 19 March: Berwick Library (first floor) TD15 1DB: 12.00pm – 2.00pm

Monday 23 March: Bedlington Community Allotment (behind Chester Court Care Home) NE22 7LD: 11.30am – 1.30pm

Friday 27 March:  Gallery Youth Project, Alnwick NE66 1SX: 11.00am – 12.30pm (Bridge Project Employability Hub)

 

 

 

 

BID Services Northumberland

BID Sight Loss Drop In Service

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BID Services is a charity working in partnership with children, young people and adults and their families and carers. It supports people who are deaf, hard of hearing, visually impaired or have a dual sensory loss. Specialist service areas include advocacy, employment, British Sign Language interpreting and training, rehabilitation and mobility training, specialist equipment, residential care, social work, support for tinnitus and housing related services.

BID Services Northumberland is trying to further promote services across the community by having promotional tables at a range of venues for people to come along and discuss sight loss. There will be equipment on display and information leaflets available on different sight conditions. The people manning the table are qualified professionals within the sight loss area and are able to answer any questions you may have. Please see below where you can go and when to have a chat with the BID Services team.

For more information call 01670 293150.

 

Prudhoe Waterworld

Monday 17 February, 2.00pm – 4.00pm

Thursday 25 June, 2.00pm – 4.00pm

Friday 23 October, 1.30pm – 3.30pm

 

Wentworth Leisure Centre, Hexham

Monday 17 February, 11.00am – 1.00pm

Tuesday 25 June, 11.00am – 1.00pm

Friday 23 October, 10.30am – 12.30pm

 

Swan Centre, Berwick

Monday 20 January, 10.30am – 12.30pm

Wednesday 20 May, 10.30am – 12.30pm

Thursday 24 September, 10.30am – 12.30pm

 

Willowburn Leisure Centre, Alnwick

Monday 20 January, 2.00pm – 4.00pm

Wednesday 20 May, 2.00pm – 4.00pm

Thursday 24 September, 2.00pm – 4.00pm

 

Ashington Leisure Centre

Monday 20 April, 2.30pm – 4.30pm

Wednesday 19 August, 2.30pm – 4.30pm

Friday 4 December, 2.00pm – 4.00pm

 

Riverside Leisure Centre, Morpeth

Monday 20 April, 11.30am – 1.30pm

Wednesday 19 August, 11.30am – 1.30pm

Friday 4 December, 11.00am – 1.00pm

 

Blyth Sports Centre

Wednesday 25 March, 11.30am – 1.30pm

Thursday 23 July, 11.30am – 1.30pm

Friday 20 November, 11.00am – 1..00pm

 

Concordia Leisure Centre, Cramlington

Wednesday 25 March, 2.30pm – 4.30pm

Thursday 23 July, 2.30pm – 4.30pm

Friday 20 November, 2.00pm – 4.00pm

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cancer Information Events

Cancer Information Events Northumberland

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The Northumbria Cancer Patient and Carer Group is holding a series of events across Northumberland, where you can share your ideas and experiences as a patient or carer of someone with cancer. There will also be a mix of organisations with information stalls offering advice and support. All the events start at 10.00am with lunch at 12.00pm.

 

Monday 3 February: The Roundhouse, Ashington NE63 9JZ

Wednesday 19 February: Seaton Delaval Community Centre NE25 0BW

Wednesday 4 March: Morpeth Town Hall NE61 1LZ

Wednesday 11 March: United Reformed Church, Market Place, Rothbury NE65 7UW

Thursday 26 March: Hexham Mart, Tyne Green Hexham NE46 3SG

 

There’s no need to book but if you have any queries about the events please email: info@ncpcg.org or call: 07817 515265.

These events are supported by the Northern Cancer Alliance and working with Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and the Empowering Communities Project team at Northumberland County Council.

 

 

Action on Hearing Loss logo

Alnwick and Morpeth Hearing Support Groups

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The programmes for the first half of 2020 are now available – please note that the programmes are subject to change so please check before you go along.

The Alnwick group meets on the last Wednesday of the month, 2pm – 4pm, at St Paul’s Court, Prudhoe Street, Alnwick NE66 1XY.

The Morpeth group meets on the second Wednesday of the month, 2pm – 4pm, at Northumberland County Blind Association, Reiver House, Staithes Lane, Morpeth NE61 1TD.

Group members share day to day experiences as well as their knowledge of hearing loss over a cup of tea, plus there are talks and discussions as outlined below. A £2 contribution per sessio is requested to cover costs.

For more information please contact Andy Griffin: andygriffin66@gmail.com, 01665 581244.

 

Alnwick Programme

29 January: A Possy of Percys, Andy Griffin

26 February: 1958 Memories and Music

25 March: Ageing Well, Lorraine Henderson, Northumbria Healthcare

29 April: Right Royal Occasion – group discussion

27 May: Housewife’s Choice – group discussion

24 June: Around the World – group discussion

 

Morpeth Programme

8 January: A Possy of Percys, Andy Griffin

12 February: Around the World, Faith Lowery

11 March: Ageing Well, Lorraine Henderson, Northumbria Healthcare

8 April: Cresswell and ‘Needles’, Barry Mead

13 May: Right Royal Occasion – group discussion

10 June: Mental Health Issues, Brian Main

 

Permanent move agreed for Whalton Unit

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The decision was taken this week that the Whalton Unit will be permanently relocated to Wansbeck General Hospital. Northumberland County Council’s health and wellbeing overview and scrutiny committee has agreed with the recommendation from Northumberland Clinical Commissioning Group’s (CCG)s governing body and the trust to retain the unit at Wansbeck hospital where it has been temporarily based since December 2018.

Below is the full press release from the CCG, released 5 November 2019.

NHS Northumberland Clinical Commissioning Group and Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust have today welcomed the decision that the Whalton Unit is to be permanently relocated to Wansbeck General Hospital.

Northumberland County Council’s health and wellbeing overview and scrutiny committee has agreed with the recommendation from the CCG’s governing body and the trust to retain the unit at Wansbeck hospital where it has been temporarily based since December 2018.

Members were informed that the relocation of the unit from Morpeth to Wansbeck hospital had improved a number of aspects of patient care and safety and eased nurse staffing pressures.

The committee decided that the move was not a substantial change in service delivery given that the service still exists for local communities to access.

Members, however, sought assurance from the CCG and trust that there would be planned improvements to community and palliative care in the Morpeth area and that the privacy and dignity of patients would be taken into account.

In addition, improvements are to be made to the ward environment at Wansbeck hospital and transport support for relatives and carers to travel to visit patients will continue.

The decision follows an extensive period of engagement during September which saw around 800 people give their views through independent research and a series of drop-in sessions. Committee members also called on the CCG and trust to carry out on-going engagement in the community over the next few months.

Dr Graham Syers, clinical director of primary care at the CCG, said: “Our governing body firmly believed that due to the improvements in patient care that have resulted from transferring the Whalton Unit to Wansbeck hospital that it should remain in the new location, and we are pleased that our decision has been backed by the health and wellbeing overview and scrutiny committee.

“We would like to reiterate our thanks to the campaign group and members of the community for their contributions throughout this process and, while this decision is not what they wanted to hear, we are particularly grateful for their input during the engagement which replicated what a full public consultation would look like.

“Working closely with the trust, we will now press ahead with joint plans to improve care in the Morpeth community and in people’s own homes, including delivering specialist palliative care in nursing homes, while supporting work to enhance the environment at Wansbeck hospital.”

Marion Dickson, executive director of nursing, midwifery, allied health professionals, surgery and community care at Northumbria Healthcare, said: “We welcome today’s decision by the health and wellbeing overview and scrutiny committee and will now progress our plans, in partnership with the CCG, to better support our patients in Morpeth in the community and at home and make improvements to the Whalton Unit’s permanent home at Wansbeck hospital.

“We would like to remind the public of our transport service and would urge people who would find it difficult to travel from Morpeth to Wansbeck hospital to visit relatives in the unit to make use of it by speaking to the ward team.While there have been significant improvements in patient care and to nurse recruitment and skill mix since the unit moved to Wansbeck hospital, we remain committed to ensuring that this continues to the case and that our patients receive the highest standards of care.”

The improvements to patient care and safety following the move have included patients receiving more timely and thorough investigations, fewer transfers of patients back to The Northumbria hospital for emergency care and fewer episodes of harm associated with incidents due to greater observation of patients.

While the original move was instigated due to nurse staffing issues and an expected increase in activity over the winter period, more nursing staff had been recruited for the unit since the relocation and more consistent nursing care is now provided through an improved skill mix across the team.

The trust and CCG are to improve care in the Morpeth community including jointly investing in more community matrons to support additional nursing home beds in the town and allied health professionals to better support frail elderly patients within their own homes to prevent unnecessary admissions and facilitate earlier discharges home.

They are also jointly developing a palliative care bed model to enable patients to receive end-of-life care in local nursing homes with specialist nursing support. The improvements to the ward environment at Wansbeck hospital will include areas for rehabilitation and multi-disciplinary working.

Permanent move recommended for Whalton Unit

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NHS Northumberland Clinical Commissioning Group’s governing body has agreed with Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust’s recommendation to take steps to permanently relocate the Whalton Unit to Wansbeck General Hospital.

At a meeting in Morpeth held in public, the governing body made the decision to retain the unit at Wansbeck hospital where it has been temporarily based since December 2018.

The governing body was told that the relocation of the unit from Morpeth to Wansbeck hospital has improved a number of aspects of patient care and safety. This has included patients receiving more timely and thorough investigations, fewer transfers of patients back to The Northumbria hospital for emergency care and fewer episodes of harm associated with incidents due to greater observation of patients.

While the original move was instigated due to nurse staffing issues and an expected increase in activity over the winter period, the meeting also heard that more nursing staff had been recruited for the unit since the relocation and more consistent nursing care is provided through an improved skill mix across the team.

The recommendation will now go to Northumberland County Council’s health and wellbeing overview and scrutiny committee which will decide whether the move is a significant variation in service and a public consultation is required.

Read the full report

Whalton Unit Morpeth

Whalton Unit Drop-in Sessions

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Whalton Unit,  Morpeth

People in Morpeth and the surrounding area are being given the opportunity to have their say about the temporary relocation of the Whalton Unit to Wansbeck General Hospital.  NHS Northumberland Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) in partnership with Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, is holding public drop-in sessions in Morpeth and carrying out independent research to find out the community’s views.

 

Public drop in sessions

11 September: Corn Exchange, Morpeth Town Hall, 10am – 2pm

11 September: Corn Exchange, Morpeth Town Hall, 4pm – 7pm

12 September: Morpeth NHS Centre, 10am – 12pm

13 September: Morpeth Leisure Centre, 11am – 1pm

24 September: Morpeth Leisure Centre, 10am – 12pm

26 September: Morpeth NHS Centre, 12.30pm – 2.30pm

1 October: Wansbeck General Hospital, main reception 10am – 11am, south entrance 12pm – 1pm

3 October: Corn Exchange, Morpeth Town Hall, 3pm – 7pm

 

People are also able to complete an online survey

 

Background

The Whalton Unit provides specialist care and rehabilitation for residents, predominantly frail older patients. It was temporarily relocated from Morpeth to Wansbeck hospital in December 2018 due to nurse staffing issues and an expected increase in activity over the winter period.

This decision was reviewed in April 2019 by the trust and there was an agreement to extend the temporary location pending an updated report to enable a longer timeline for the impact analysis, with a specific focus on the experience of patients.

Prior to making any long term recommendations the CCG and the trust have agreed to this programme of public engagement and independent research to understand the views of the local population in more detail. The findings from both the independent research and engagement activity will be collated and shared with the Northumberland Health and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee in November.

Morpeth Memory Cafe

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Morpeth memory Cafe is held at Morpeth Methodist Church and Centre for the Community. The cafe is for people with memory problems or dementia, and their family and friends. Come along for a chat, to pick up information and to enjoy some social time with others in a similar situation to your own. No need to book,  you can just drop in.

Refreshments will be available.

The café will run on the Thursdays shown below from 10.30am to 12.00pm in the coffee lounge at the Morpeth Methodist Centre, Howard Terrace, Morpeth. For further information please contact the church office on 01670 511078 or e-mail office@morpethmeth.org.

 

Memory Café Dates  June  – December 2019

June 6th and 20th

July 4th and 18th

August 1st and 15th

September 5th and 19th

October 3rd and 17th

November 7th and 21st

December 5th and 19th

 

Morpeth Hearing Support Group

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Morpeth Hearing Support Group meets informally each month. The group have a cup of tea and a chat, sharing their day to day experiences as well as their knowledge of hearing loss. There are also talks and discussions and the programme for the rest of the year can be seen below.

The meetings are held from 2.00pm to 4.00pm at Northumberland County Blind Association, Reiver House, Staithes Lane, Morpeth, NE61 1TD. A £2 contribution per person per meeting is appreciated to cover costs.

 

2019 Programme

Wednesday 10 July: Famous Deaf People – part 2

Wednesday 14 August: No meeting – summer break

Wednesday 11 September: Northumberland Fire and Rescue – no longer the ‘fire brigade’! Philip Nicholson

Wednesday 9 October: The Elderberries Programme at The Alnwick Garden, Tracy Jones

Wednesday 13 November: Music and Memories of 1958, Andy Griffin

Wednesday 11 December: Christmas Lunch (please pre-book)

 

For further information please contact Andy griffin on:

01665 581244 or at andygriffin66@gmail.com

 

 

Watering can and daffodils

Stepping into Spring Roadshows

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Stepping into Spring is a series of roadshows from Ageing Well in Northumberland. These are free events for older people in Northumberland and are a chance to talk to local organisations offering advice and information on staying well and keeping active. Call in for a cup of tea or coffee and have a chat about local events and activities, volunteering opportunities and keeping fit and healthy.

 

The Roadshows are happening at the following locations:

  • Ponteland, Merton Hall: Thursday 21 March, 9.00am – 12.00pm
  • Prudhoe, Waterworld: Monday 25 March, 10.00am – 1.00pm
  • Haltwhistle, Methodist Hall: Tuesday 2 April, 10.00am – 2.00pm
  • Hexham, Wentworth Leisure Centre: Friday 12 April, 10.00am – 2.00pm
  • Morpeth, Town Hall: Wednesday 1 May, 10.00am – 2.00pm
  • Blyth, Leisure Centre: tbc
  • Ashington, Leisure Centre: tbc

 

For more details about individual events please visit our events page

 

 

 

Events

Listening Event: Annual Survey Morpeth Riverside

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We are running our annual survey 2020 during February and March this year, asking you about the NHS, health and social care you received in the last 12 months – it might be a new year but your experiences from 2019 still matter. Health services include hospital services, GPs, dentists, pharmacists, mental health and ambulance services. Social care is care in the home or in a residential or nursing care home.

By telling us about the care you received and what’s important to you, you can help us set our work for the coming year so that we can be more effective on your behalf.

Let us know what went well and what could be improved and together we can help make care better for everyone in Northumberland.

If you can’t come and see us at one of our events you can share your views via the online survey or get in touch to ask for a postal copy with freepost return.

Listening Event: Annual Survey Morpeth Library

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We are running our annual survey 2020 during February and March this year, asking you about the NHS, health and social care you received in the last 12 months – it might be a new year but your experiences from 2019 still matter. Health services include hospital services, GPs, dentists, pharmacists, mental health and ambulance services. Social care is care in the home or in a residential or nursing care home.

By telling us about the care you received and what’s important to you, you can help us set our work for the coming year so that we can be more effective on your behalf.

Let us know what went well and what could be improved, and together we can help make care better for everyone in Northumberland.

If you can’t come and see us at one of our events you can share your views via the online survey or get in touch to ask for a postal copy with freepost return.

Cancer Patient Event: Morpeth

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Cancer Information and Engagement Northumberland

The Northumbria Cancer Patient and Carer Group would like to invite cancer patients and carers in Northumberland to share their experiences and ideas – what is working well in your area? What needs improving? There will also be a mix of organisations at the event offering advice and support.

The Northumbria Cancer Patient and Carer Group is made up of patients, carers, health professionals, voluntary group representatives and others affected by cancer. It’s objective is to improve cancer services and support throughout Northumberland and North Tyneside. The group is supported by Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust which consults with the group to gain opinions on new service developments, information leaflets and questionnaires.  The Northumbria Cancer Patient and Carer Group is not a cancer support group, but it does have very good links with local support groups and can put you in touch with the right people.

 

This event starts at 10.00am with refreshments, and lunch will be available from 12.00pm.

You can also visit an event at these locations in Northumberland:

Monday 3 February: The Roundhouse, Ashington 

Wednesday 19 February: Seaton Delaval Community Centre

Wednesday 11 March: URC, Rothbury

Thursday 26 March: Hexham Mart

 

No booking required. For more information about the events or how to give your feedback if you can’t get to one of the events, email: info@ncpcg.org.

Audiology clinic drop-in Morpeth

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As part of our work to find out people’s experiences of using audiology services, we will be at the audiology clinic in Morpeth talking to those using the services. We will be asking people with hearing loss a few questions to find out what is working well for them and what could be improved.

 

National Eye Health Event

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National Eye Health Week takes place between 23 and 29 September to promote the importance of good eye health and make people aware of the network of support services available locally.

Northumberland County Blind Association is holding an information event in Morpeth where you can get free information and advice from the following sight loss organisations:

 

  • Northumberland County Blind Association
  • BID Services
  • RNIB
  • Eye Clinic Professionals 

 

The Northumberland County Blind team will be available for one to one demonstrations of a range of vision aids, some of which are available free or for a small donation.

 

 

 

 

Watering can on a lawn with daffodils

Stepping into Spring Roadshow: Morpeth

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This is one of a series of free events for older people in Northumberland, from Ageing Well in Northumberland. The event is a chance to meet local organisations offering advice and information on staying well and keeping active. Call in for a cup of tea or coffee and have a chat about local events and activities, volunteering opportunities and keeping fit and healthy.

For more details about this event please email: alison.byard@morpeth-tc.gov.uk

 

 

 

Active Young Carers logo

Active Young Carers Free Sports Event

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The event is a free and fun afternoon of sports activities for young carers including basketball, dodgeball, cricket and lots more. Family and friends are welcome to come along. Refreshments will be provided.

If you are interested in attending, would like more information or need help with transport, please contact Caroline Friend: carolinef@voicesnorthumberland.org.uk.

 

Shelves of coloured books

Morpeth Library Drop-In

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We will be at Morpeth Library on Tuesday 9 October 10.00pm to 12.00pm, listening to local people about their experiences of health and social care services, as part of Northumberland Libraries health and wellbeing week.

Come and say hello to the team and tell us what you think of services in your area.

Daisies

Northumberland County Blind Association – Spring Fair

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The Northumberland County Blind Association Spring Fayre and Afternoon Tea Dance takes place at Morpeth Town Hall this month. The event, which will raise funds for the association, will include a tombola, raffle, face painting, plus cakes, plants and book stall. There will be tea and coffee on offer too.

The tea dance, which starts at 1.00pm, is a ticketed event – tickets cost £3.00 which includes afternoon tea, and can be purchased from Reiver House.

Your Help Needed! – In It Together Event

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In It Together has been working with staff at County Hall on future developments in SEND (special educational needs and disabilities). They are keen to work with more parents and carers across the county on a number of tasks. These include co-producing different pieces of information.

One of the tasks is to revise the forms that you and your children/young people fill in, which state your thoughts and feelings around their education and needs. Nicola Taylor (SEND Project Manager) and Angela Davies (School Improvement Lead for SEND) will be coming along to In It Together locality meetings to introduce and work through some of the tasks. They are keen to involve as many people as possible to obtain a broad range of views, so if you can spare a couple of hours to attend it would be greatly appreciated. If you are unable to attend but wish to contribute please get in touch.