Thanks to the generosity of Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, we were able to hold a face to face Forum on 13 July in their wonderful building, where 42 representatives of 33 different organisations were present for an entertaining session of presentations, discussion and networking on the theme of ”Tackling Health Inequalities in Our Communities”.
Tom Conlin from Charity Mentors Berkshire chaired the Forum which began with presentations from:
- Joanna Dixon from Healthwatch WAM, who gave a summary of the recently-completed “Big Health Chat 2023” project
- Asma Aziz from Slough CVS who gave a presentation on SCVS/WAM’s research into Mental health in Seldom Heard Communities
The Forum then broke into five groups to consider three case studies focussed on issues around Isolation & Loneliness, Mental Health and Multi-Generational Households. A common theme was the need to identify gaps in current services in both the statutory and voluntary sectors, to plug those gaps and to ensure that all services worked together for the good of the individual/families concerned.
Slides from the presentations and details of the three case studies and the discussion groups’ conclusions on possible solutions will be circulated to all Forum attendees.
There followed community group updates from James Sahr Momoh from Talking Therapies and Rachel Harvey from Age Concern Windsor.
Eram Dodhy was introduced to attendees as the Training Co-ordinator for WAMGI – all attendees/Forum members were encouraged to contact Eram with requests for future training topics.
If you would like to speak at a future forum or contact us regarding training please get in touch via info@wamgetinvolved.org.uk. Please also complete the feedback survey which helps us to choose topics and speakers for future events and also provides data for our funders as to how their funds have been spent for the benefit of the voluntary sector in RBWM.
Tom closed the Forum by thanking everyone for their attendance and participation and confirmed the next Forum would be on Thursday 16 November 2023, hopefully face-to-face if a suitable venue can be found but if not by Zoom. If you can offer a venue for this Forum, please contact Asma via info@wamgetinvolved.org.uk with details. In the meantime, WAMGI will be holding a Diversity Day at Windsor Racecourse on Tuesday 3 October 2023 – save the date and watch this space for more details!