February 2015 e-bulletin

Welcome to the Healthwatch Bristol e-bulletin. The content is a mixture of local,

regional information regarding health, wellbeing and social care services.
New website for Healthwatch Bristol
Our new website is now live and has an easy to use health and social care service
feedback centre. People in Bristol can now leave reviews and ratings directly onto
the website which will enable us to get a clear picture of peoples experiences of
local services. Feedback can also be left anonymously although all reviews will be
moderated.
Visit: www.healthwatchbristol.co.uk
If you have any events or information that you would like us to include in our
e-bulletin please contact us at healthwatchbristol@thecareforum.org.uk
We need information for the next edition by 19 February.

Contents
Local Events
Local Information
Healthwatch Update
Training

Local Events
Local Events
Advocacy Conference: Strengthening
Our Voices in a Changing Environment
Wednesday 25 February 10am-2pm,
David Hiatt Conference Room, The Vassall
Centre, Gill Avenue, Fishponds, Bristol
BS16 2QQ.
The event includes keynote talks and
workshops. Key note talks from:
Martin Coyle, Dr Katherine Rake,
Healthwatch CEO
Kate Mercer
Workshops include:
How We Influence Change
Service User Involvement
Building a Business Case
Healthwatch
Looking after Ourselves as Advocates
For more information, and to book
W: http://tinyurl.com/pkkdgeq
E: events@thecareforum.org.uk
Personalisation in Health - Voluntary
and Community Sector Input Into Local
Action Planning
Wednesday 4 March 2-4.30pm The
Conference Room, The Vassall Centre, Gill
Avenue, Fishponds, Bristol BS16 2QQ
W: www.thecareforum.org
E: anne-marieholland@thecareforum.
org.uk

Bristol Men and Boys Health and Wellbeing

Group
Tuesday 10 March, 1-4pm, The Vassall
Centre, Fishponds, Bristol BS16 2QQ
Contact Helen Stone:
E: helenstone@thecareforum.org.uk
Bristol Offer Feedback Event
Monday 30 March (afternoon). The
Conference Room, The Vassall Centre. This
event was postponed from January. Please
keep the new date free, more details will be
available nearer the time. E:
anne-marieholland@thecareforum.org.uk
Bristol Multi Faith Forum Diverse Open
Doors
Sunday 22 February,10am-4pm
A total of 16 places of worship will be opening
their doors and at six core venues there will be
an opportunity to participate in an issue based
discussion. The discussions will take place at
specific times at each venue. Transport will
be provided via a trail bus at a cost of 5 per
person, but places are limited so you will need
to book. For more information and to book
contact:
T: 07834 812 663
E: info@bristolmultifaithforum.org.uk
W: http://tinyurl.com/ljwzyet

Bristol Community Health Prioritising

Patients Event
12 February, 12.30-4pm, BAWA, 589
Voluntary Sector comment on the new
Southmead Road, Filton, Bristol, BS34 7RG.
Bristol Mental Health Services
Help shape Bristol Community Healths
Monday 30 March (morning). The
Quality Account priorities for 2015-16 and to
Conference Room, The Vassall Centre, Gill
review the priorities from the previous year.
Avenue, Fishponds, Bristol BS16 2QQ.
Its a free event, and they want to get as
This event was postponed from January.
wide an opinion as possible from patients,
Please keep the new date free, more details
public and Voluntary and Community Sector
will be available nearer the time.
organisations. Lunch provided at 12.30.
E: anne-marieholland@thecareforum.
To book your place, contact Greg Juckes:
org.uk
T: 0117 900 2146
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E: greg.juckes@briscomhealth.nhs.uk

Local Information
Reclaiming our Lives: Working with males
who have experienced sexual abuse
Wednesday 11 February: Bristol
Statistics show that up to 1 in 6 men
have experienced and are living with the
consequences of sexual abuse. Drawing on
the book Reclaiming Our Lives: A workbook
for males who have experienced sexual
abuse by Jim Campbell and Ron Coleman,
this workshop presents the recovery
journey and experiences of the two authors.
Participants will learn some of the techniques
that the book outlines in helping male
survivors of sexual abuse reclaim their lives
and recover. Booking is essential and there
is a charge to attend.
W: http://tinyurl.com/mrz3ak2
Bristol Hearing Voices Network AGM
Thursday 26 February, St James Priory,
Whitson St, Bristol BS1 3NZ.
Bristol Hearing Voices Network is inviting
members of the public to attend part of their
AGM. Join them for lunch (1-2pm) and
the premier of In The Real (2-3pm) and
an open discussion (3-4pm). In the Real,
is a complex and insightful study of the
phenomenology of voice hearing. Please
RSVP.
E: bristol.hearingvoices@outlook.com
Zero tolerance to Female Genital
Mutilation
Friday 13 February, 10am-1pm, Muller Hall,
39 Seymour Road, Easton, Bristol, BS5
OUW.
FORWARD in partnership with Refugee
Women of Bristol are celebrating 30 years of
safeguarding the rights of African girls and
women with an open event. Lunch is are
provided and an onsite crche is available.
RSVP to Mrs Layla Ismail:
E: laylalayla12@gmail.com
M: 07983 428 077

North Bristol Advice Centre invites you to

Bristol Botanical Gardens
Monday 16 February, 1-5pm.
North Bristol Advice Centre is running a
tour and refreshments of Bristol Botanical
Gardens. The cost will be 7.50. To book call
Janie T: 0117 9515 751
WECIL Conference 2015 Direct Payments:
Benefits and Barriers, Employing PAs
On Thursday 26 March WECIL is holding
a one-day conference at the BAWA Club,
Southmead. It will look at the benefits and
barriers of direct payments and employing
personal assistant(s) for different groups of
disabled people. Registration: Free, lunch
included. Register online:
http://wecilconference2015.eventbrite.co.uk
Contact Claire Charras T: 0117 947 9947 or
E: claire.charras@wecil.co.uk

Local Information
Princes Trust courses for young people
The Princes Trust have an upcoming course
for young people aged 13-15 years, who are
at risk of exclusion or are underachieving
within school. This course will start on
Monday 23 February. Contact Sarah
Pritchard, The Princes Trust.
E: Sarah.Pritchard@princes-trust.org.uk
Bristol Children & Young Peoples
(C&YPs) Strategy Consultation
Bristol City Council is asking organisations
working with children and young people to
use their survey to support young people
to contribute to the Bristols new Children
& Young Peoples Strategy 2015-2017.
The deadline is Friday 27 February and
the survey can be completed online or by
requesting a printable version by contacting
Rachel Beatty.
W: http://tinyurl.com/lflscky
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E: Rachel.beatty@bristol.gov.uk

Local Information
Truth About Youth EXPERIENCE RADIO
programme
Truth About Youth are holding a FREE
three week course where 16-25 year olds
who are out of work and education can
work with professional radio producers to:
produce a community based radio show
develop skills
challenge negative perceptions of young
people
gain a nationally recognised Bronze Arts
Award
boost confidence and CV
Taster Day: Tuesday 10 March
Programme dates: Monday 16 March
Friday 3 April
Location: The Princes Trust, Canningford
House, 38 Victoria Street, Bristol, BS1 6BY
For more information, please contact Sian
Bott. M: 07717511165
E: sian.bott@princes-trust.org.uk
University of Bristol Research Project
about Older Adults Bone Health
A large research project at the University
of Bristol is looking at different physical
activity impacts and how this relates to
older adults bone health. The main study
will help researchers to understand the
relationship between different physical
activity impacts and bone health in older
adults. The researchers would like to talk
to a diverse range of older adults (over
65 years) in Bristol from a range of ethnic
backgrounds, genders, ages, and abilities.
They are interested in speaking to people
who participate in physical activity as well
as those that don not. You will not have to
participate in any physical activity, they just
want older adults views about it.
10 gift voucher will be given as a thank
you. Contact Bethany Simmonds.
T: 0117 4147885
E: bethany.simmonds@bristol.ac.uk

Bristol Mental Health Independent

Network
The Bristol Mental Health Independent
Network was inaugurated August 2014,
funded by Bristol CCG and currently
represents 14 groups and a number of
individuals across Bristol. The network
liaises with service providers and plans an
evaluation piece of work in the near future.
They meet 2nd Monday each month: 11am
2pm at St James Priory and invite speakers
to monthly meetings.
E: contactbimhn@gmail.com
New mens health page to be created for
Well Aware website
The Bristol Men and Boys Health and
Wellbeing Group is creating a Mens Health
page for the Well Aware website. The
front page will link through to a number of
subpages to include pages about: mental
health, physical health, abuse, campaigns,
and social groups.
E-mail all suggestions/ideas for general
content, photos and links, plus information
and contact details of any new groups and
organisations currently working with men
and boys that could be included to Helen
Stone.
E: helenstone@thecareforum.org.uk
New Recovery Choir
In December Bristol Drugs Project launched
their new recovery choir which is open
to past and present service users, staff,
volunteers and peers. No experience is
needed. 100% of people who came would
recommend it to a friend!
Join them every Thursday 5-6.30pm at The
Unitarian Meeting Hall, Brunswick Square.
For more information call Sophie.
T: 0117 987 6014

Healthwatch Update
No Shame, No Blame
Womens Independent Alcohol Support is
a friendly, service-user controlled project
set up to help women to deal with past and
present alcohol issues. They will soon be
starting a small facilitated support group in
central Bristol. The service is confidential.
For more information:
T: 0117 942 8077
E: contact@wiaswomen.org.uk
W: www.wiaswomen.org.uk
Free Information Sessions for Parent
Carers and Professionals
Contact a Family offer informative sessions
for parent carers of children with disabilities
or additional needs and professionals who
support them. For more information, or to
book a free information session, contact:
T: 01503 220702
W: www.cafamily.org.uk
E: southwest@cafamily.org.uk

Community Fire Safety Volunteers can visit

your social or community group to tell you
how to sign-up for free Home Fire Safety
Visits, during which Fire Fighters provide
advice, equipment and escape plans to get
you and your family out safely in the event
of home fire.
To become a volunteer, or request a talk for
your social group, contact Volunteering at
The Care Forum
T: 0117 958 9308
E: volunteering@thecareforum.org.uk

Healthwatch Bristol
Update

Local people have been telling

Healthwatch
Healthwatch Bristol: public health
messages
Local people have been telling Healthwatch
Bristol their stories about health and social
Volunteering Opportunity with Real
care services in Bristol.
Economy
This month, a theme that is emerging from
Real Economy is recruiting a small team
their feedback is: more work needs to be
of Volunteer Community Organisers to
done on making public health messages
help to improve access to fresh food
accessible and culturally relevant for
and strengthen community life in Bristol
different ethnic groups
(especially in areas where affordable
What do you think? Have you or your family
fresh food is harder to come by). They are
or friends had any experiences, good or
seeking people to assist with the creation
bad, regarding public health campaigns,
of buying groups in these areas. Deadline:
or within any other health and social care
Monday 16 February.
services?
W: http://tinyurl.com/k628gf3
We will take this information to the people
who commission the relevant services, so
Become a Community Fire Safety
they know what people think and can plan
Volunteer and help save lives in Bristol
Help Avon Fire and Rescue Service prevent improvements for the future.
devastating home fires and save lives by
encouraging social groups in Bristol to sign
up for free Home Fire Safety Visits. You will
gain experience of community engagement,
events and public services, and gain
training and references.
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Healthwatch Bristol: children and

young peoples services and wellbeing
What do you think about Children and
Young Peoples Services and Wellbeing
support? Visit our website or find us
on social media to tell us your story, or
invite us to your youth group or school to
facilitate a Your Voice; Your Wellbeing
workshop.
Healthwatch Bristol: discussing cancer
experiences and early diagnosis
Healthwatch Bristol is continuing to ask
people to tell us about their experiences
of cancer treatment and screening. If you
have something to say about the cancer
services, then please get in touch.
Healthwatch Bristol has been speaking
to people from Black Minority and Ethnic
Communities about their experiences
of cancer services and knowledge
of screening. Often finding out about
services is difficult if English is not your
first language. Sheffield Hallam University
has developed translated cancer
awareness leaflets/information sheets for
Muslim communities. The materials are in
available in Arabic, Urdu and Somali.
W: http://tinyurl.com/kvmqvbp
Healthwatch Bristol: You asked,
Which service is for me?
The NHS has recently suggested that
47% of people attending A and E could
have received the same service via their
GP, by telephoning NHS 111 or by calling
in at an NHS walk-in centre, minor injuries
unit or urgent care centre, but how are you

supposed to know which service you need

and when?
The NHS in Bristol, South Gloucestershire
and North Somerset have launched a
campaign called Think ABC before A and E
to try and make people more aware of the
options that are available to them. To find
out more, W: www.thinkabc.org.uk
What do you think? Have you or your family
or friends had any experiences, good or
bad, regarding urgent care and emergency
services?
We will take this information to the people
who commission the relevant services, so
they know what people think and can plan
improvements for the future.
Healthwatch Bristol: Bristol residents say
thank you to the NHS
Protect Our NHS and Healthwatch Bristol
spoke to people in the Bear Pit during
December and asked them to share what
they like about the NHS. Healthwatch Bristol
has shared some of the comments on
our blog page as a thank you to everyone
working in NHS services. To read what was
said and to read all our other blogs visit
the Healthwatch Our Stories Blog Page.
W: https://healthwatchbristol.wordpress.
com

Training
Bristol Drugs Project Visitors Mornings
BDP is offering professionals and students
the chance to visit BDP and learn about
the people they work with and the different
services they can provide.
For dates and more information:
W: info@bdp.org.uk
E: info@bdp.org.uk
T: 0117 987 6000

National Information
Dementia Friends Champion Training in
Bristol
Thursday 19 February, 10am4pm, Terrace
Room, Barton Hill Settlement, 43 Ducie
Road, Barton Hill, Bristol, BS5 0AX.
Dementia Friends Champions are trained
volunteers who encourage people to learn
a little about dementia by running sessions
in their community. Booking is essential.
W: http://tinyurl.com/n62hyvm
Healthy Homes Training Made me
aware of services that I didnt know
existed
WE Care & Repair is running half day
Healthy Homes (free) training courses
aimed at community health & social care
practitioners, who work with older or
disabled people and visit them in their
own homes. The training highlights basic
housing issues that contribute to poor
health, enables participants to consider
housing issues when assessing the needs
of their patients and service users, and
identifies the ways in which WE Care &
Repair can help address these issues.
Details of available dates and how to book
a place:
W: http://tinyurl.com/myxfpmy
T: 0300 323 0700
E: info@wecr.org.uk

National Information
SARSAS campaign to increase
awareness on active sexual consent
SARSAS has recently launched a
campaign to increase awareness on active
sexual consent. They hope in 2015 the
campaign will reach as many students and
young people as possible across Bristol,
South Gloucestershire, Somerset, North
Somerset and B&NES. Stickers, posters,

leaflets, beer mats and postcards are being

distributed throughout Somerset and Avon
providing helpful information and directing
people to a new website full of interactive
resources.
W: http://pauseplaystop.org.uk/
Positive case study: Seaside in the City
for patients at Callington Road
Service users and staff on Laurel Ward
at Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health
Partnership NHS Trusts Callington Road
Hospital have created their own mini
seaside resort in their garden. Laurel
Ward assesses and treats service users
with dementia who are suffering from
severe psychological and behaviour
symptoms. The project grew from the idea
of brightening the garden up by painting
the shed like a beach hut. The area offers
sensory experiences, giving service users
sights, textures and memories to respond
to, with happy memories of holidays by
the seaside, day trips to Weston, donkey
rides on the beach, making sand-castles,
ice-cream and more. The new seaside
attraction can be seen from inside the ward
or, when weather is permitting, service
users and their families are able to spend
time enjoying their seaside in the city.
W: http://tinyurl.com/q3ypf8o
Comic Relief Local Communities Grant
Programme now open
The Quartet Community Foundation is
one of the delivery partners for this grants
programme, which covers Bristol, B&NES,
North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.
The deadline for grant submissions in
this round is Thursday 13 February. The
maximum grant is 10,000 and the average
award is 5,000.
W: http://tinyurl.com/kmyeldd
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Contact Us...
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