East Sussex Strategic Partnership Annual Assembly - Working together to boost mental health

INFLUENTIAL organisations cross East Sussex joined together to focus on the mental health of the county last month.

The East Sussex Annual Assembly discussed ways to end discrimination and stigma around mental health and to support people with mental health problems.

The event, held at the International Lawn Tennis Centre, in Eastbourne, was organised by the East Sussex Strategic Partnership (ESSP), made up of public, private, community and voluntary sector organisations, in partnership with Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, a mental Health trust working across Sussex, Hampshire and Kent.

The conference heard from experts on mental health provision for young people and looked at ways people in crisis can be supported in the community. Attendees were then asked to pledge to improve their own mental health and those of others in their organisations.

Steve Mainwaring, ESSP chairman, said: “We were delighted with the positive response to the conference. Our aim was to move the issue of Mental Health and Wellbeing ‘centre-stage’ as this is such a crucial issue for East Sussex residents. Crucially we were able to connect strategic leaders in East Sussex with those with a lived experience of Mental Health issues. We are also delighted that organisations will take the issue forward through the unique pledges they have made so that the conference can have a lasting impact”

More than 60 delegates attended the event, including representatives from East Sussex County Council, borough and district councils, Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and local clinical commissioning groups.

The County Council, along with more than 86,000 people and almost 350 organisations across the country, have already signed a pledge to tackle the stigma and discrimination around mental health.

Cllr Keith Glazier, East Sussex County Council leader, said: “East Sussex County Council are proud to have signed the Time to Change pledge and have taken action to deliver the pledge. Working together and learning from each other is key in promoting good mental health, both among our own employees and through the services we provide to the public.”

The event featured stands from public, and voluntary and community sector organisations showcasing projects that support people living with mental health issues.

Dr Mokhtar Isaac, Clinical Director for Adult Services at Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Mental health problems can affect everything we do from our physical health to relationships or work. It is vital that we work together, as a whole community, to combat stigma and reduce the affect having a mental health problem can have. We need mental health and physical health to be treated with the same importance; just like physical health mental health is everybody’s business.”

Discussions and learning from the event will be captured in a report and considered by the ESSP at its meeting in December.

Could you Be A Councillor in East Sussex? Or perhaps you know someone who might be ideal for a role that’s as rewarding as it is demanding?

The people of East Sussex will be electing 50 people to their County Council in May 2017 and we the council are now offering insight, advice and information to everyone who’d like to find out more. What’s involved in standing for election, what can you expect if you are elected and what qualities do you need to succeed?

There are two ways for people to find out more:

•    East Sussex County Council has launched a new website to provide some of the answers http://beacouncillor.co.uk/east-sussex/
•    And the council is hosting an information evening on Thursday 20 October which is open to all https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/could-you-be-a-councillor-in-east-sussex-tickets-28043761646

Elected councillors are the voice of their communities, make vital decisions about the services needed in East Sussex and help improve the county as a place to live and work. East Sussex is stronger with a broad range of backgrounds and skills among its democratic representatives.   Please come along to the event, or share this news with anyone you think may be interested in the learning more about these vital roles.

HOW TO KEEP WARM AND WELL THIS WINTER

If you are on a low income and are either:
an older person,
a family with children,
a disabled person or someone with an ongoing health condition (or if anyone in your household is),
then you may qualify for this service.

Our free winter home check service is available all year round. It includes:
•an assessment of your home to identify how to keep warm
•small works such as improving insulation or repairing boilers
•emergency temporary heating
•advice on getting help to pay for heating.

Installation of replacement boilers, central heating systems or home insulation is also possible subject to eligibility and limited availability.

This service is provided by Osborne Energy. Phone free on 0800 085 1674 to arrange a visit.  Lines are open Monday – Thursday 8.30am – 5.00pm, Friday 8.30am – 4.30pm

The East Sussex Joint Strategic Needs & Assessment (JSNNA) 

The JSNAA is available at  www.eastsussexjsna.org.uk. The site contains both local and national resources for those who commission, provide or use health and social care services in East Sussex.

On the site you will find:
• data in the form of scorecards 
• area summaries 
• local comprehensive needs assessments 
• profiles that compare our local data with national data 
• overview reports and briefings that pull information from a wide range of sources into one document 
• ... and much much more.
To keep up-to-date with any new content please subscribe to a short monthly email alert here: www.eastsussexjsna.org.uk/subscribe

Hate Crime Ambassadors

Life is a challenge for most of us in one way or another, but those challenges can be added to for some if they are targeted because of a personal characteristic.

Sometimes this is race, religion, sexual orientation, disability or gender identity, or something else that is harmful to individuals and can be corrosive to communities.

This is hate crime and Sussex Police is looking for individuals who can provide information and support those who may become victims.

To unpick some of the myths around hate crime, Sussex Police regularly host sessions that see people sign up to be Hate Crime Ambassadors in the communities of Sussex. They will be given information about what hate crime is, how it can be reported and what happens when it is.

What is a Hate Crime Ambassador and who can get involved?

We're looking for people who are interested in raising awareness of what hate crime is and encouraging victims to report to police or partner agencies across Sussex. You will need to attend a two hour coaching session, and you will have the opportunity to refresh and enhance your knowledge and understanding at yearly seminars.

Sussex Police Hate Crime Sergeant, Peter Allan said: "We know that a lack of understanding about what hate crime is and at what level you can report it to the police are two of the biggest challenges. I hope these coaching sessions will be a springboard for discussions about hate crime, in the pub, at work, at the gym, at the many clubs and activities people take part in on a regular basis.

"The more people we have across Sussex who have an understanding of hate crime and the impact it can have on communities, increases our knowledge and confidence to be able to say, 'We Stand Together' against hate crime."

If you are interested in learning more about becoming a Hate Crime Ambassador please contact peter.allan@sussex.pnn.police.uk

Your Service Your Voice

East Sussex Fire Authority would like your help in planning for the future so we can make the right decisions. Please complete our online survey which can be found at www.esfrs.org/irmp. Paper copies can be requested by writing to:

• Priorities: We’ve set out our priorities - these include drowning prevention work and improving business safety.
• Health emergencies: We are considering a pilot where we support the ambulance service by responding to certain calls.
• Council Tax: Most of our funding comes from Council Tax – we’d like to know whether you think we are giving you value for your money.

Computing’s a piece of cake in Crowborough - Crowborough Community Centre - Tuesday 1 November 2016

BHT Training – Essential Training for the Voluntary Sector

All of the above courses will be running in Brighton unless stated otherwise. 
If you would like further information about one of the courses listed, please contact the Training Team:

Tel:  01273 645401 Email: training@bht.org.uk  Website: www.bht-training.org.uk   

Free & subsidised training opportunities through SPARK

Please help us spread the word about these forthcoming training opportunities for staff and volunteers working with young people's groups in East Sussex. If you have any questions about any of these courses please email lisacoupal@sparknetwork.org.uk or call 07921 485813.

We're also holding a meeting on 6 October in Eastbourne for any workers involved with youth councils, forums or any other youth voice group to meet and share ideas and opportunities. If you're involved with a youth voice group, or know someone who is, please click here to find out more.

FREE Taking the Lead in Child Protection training, 11 October, Eastbourne
This is a developmental course targeted at those with responsibility for Child Protection and Safeguarding in their organisation or group – you must have completed an Introduction to Child Protection course in the past two years. This course is being run in partnership by the LSCB and 3VA, who will deliver the course free of charge, however there is a non-refundable admin charge of £10. 

FREE Mental Health Well Being training for staff and volunteers working with young people, 15 October, Eastbourne
Would you like to know more about mental health and ways you can support the young people you work with?

SUBSIDISED Working with Young People two-day introductory course for staff and volunteers 12 & 26 November, Eastbourne
This interactive, introductory course will give you the basic foundations for working with young people safely and effectively. It is aimed at staff and volunteers who want to build their confidence or refresh their knowledge about working with young people. Only £40 for both days.

FREE Introduction to Child Protection, 23 November, Hastings
This course aims to raise awareness of child protection issues and procedures and the signs and indicators of child abuse. 

Older People’s Partnership Board

Newly formed Eastbourne, Lewes & Wealden Community Safety Partnership (CSP)

East Sussex Strategic Partnership

The East Sussex Strategic Partnership's annual assembly was held on 13th September 2016 a report of the event will be available in the Autumn, information on future meetings and events can be found at: www.essp.org.uk/Meeting-papers-and-reports

East Sussex in Figures (ESiF) is the local information system (LIS) for the county.  It’s a website that provides access to essential data, information and analysis.

Headlines
In 2015 the median price of a house in East Sussex was £238,725, around £14,000 more than in 2014. 
In 2014, more than three-quarters of East Sussex residents could get to an employment centre with up to 500 jobs within 15 minutes, using public transport and walking.
82% of adults aged 16+ walk for at least 10 minutes, at least once a week.

A new briefing analysing the latest Claimant Count data is available.

Latest datasets – highlights
Trend-based household projections by household type – 2014-based CLG projections to 2039 now available
Median and lower quartile house prices – revised table now includes middle-layer SOA data and updated with 2015 data
Mortgage and landlord repossessions – data added up to Q2 2016
Ward level Births, deaths and natural change table – 2014 data added and table revised
Infant mortality rate – 2012-14 data added to table
Households in Fuel poverty – data added for 2014
Walking and cycling – table updated with 2015 data
Access to services – latest available 2014 data added to all tables
Claimants of out-of-work benefits – February 2016 data added
Claimant Count including JSA and Universal Credit – July 2016 data added to all tables

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