Do you have lived experience of mental illness and aged 18+ years?
 
UCL is embarking on a new research project to find ways to help community groups and places such as museum and libraries, support more people with experience of mental illness, and remove barriers to taking part.
 
Interviews will focus on why you do, or don’t, take part in community groups and what would help you to do so.
 
More information can be found in the recruitment poster and in the study information sheet.
 
If you would like to be involved, please contact Louise Baxter on l.baxter@ucl.ac.uk or 020 7679 8347 for more information or to arrange an interview.

AFC Bournemouth, in partnership with Wessex Cancer Trust, will be holding a monthly MENTalk group at the football club to support local men living with cancer.  
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The initiative will launch at Vitality Stadium on Thursday 7th November. Men of any age, who either have cancer themselves or are supporting someone through it, can visit the club, enjoy a stadium tour and find out more. The group will meet on the first Thursday of the month between 7.00 and 8.30pm starting on 5th December.

MENTalk enables men to come together to share knowledge and experiences whilst supporting each other. They will also be able to learn skills to help them deal with stress and adjust to their changing situation.  Additionally, it will provide a safe place to talk openly about feelings and fears. It will be led by a trained facilitator and attended by cancer specialists.  Wessex Cancer Trust already runs well-attended MENTalk groups at its Support Centres in Cosham and Waterside, Hythe.         
Steve Cuss, the Head of AFC Bournemouth’s Community Sports Trust, said:

“We are delighted to be working in partnership with Wessex Cancer Trust. We are fully aware through community engagement and our fanbase how cancer affects so many people. The opportunity to support through the MENTalk group is one that we are looking forward to, and welcoming to Vitality Stadium.”

Colette Cowan, Wessex Cancer Trust’s Head of Service Delivery said the launch of the new MENTalk group will address a specific need in Bournemouth:    

“Wessex Cancer Trust is a charity set up specifically to provide emotional and practical support to anyone living with cancer in the Wessex region, but men make up just 22% of clients accessing our support services. This is despite them being 16% more likely to receive a cancer diagnosis and 40% more likely to die from the disease.   This year, in partnership with the Wessex Public Health Community Fellowship, we commissioned an assessment into why men living with cancer might not be seeking support as readily.  We found that men diagnosed with cancer were mainly concerned with their own prognosis and how their family would cope. The main barriers to them seeking support were a lack of awareness of the support services available, a lack of time and the perception that they did not need help or that seeking support would be uncomfortable for them.   Cancer will affect half of us in our lifetime and we’re delighted that AFC Bournemouth will be encouraging men to access support as part of its healthcare education in the local community, and we’re sure it will make a big difference to any man having to live with a cancer diagnosis.”

Anyone who would like to attend the launch or find out more about MENTalk can contact Wessex Cancer Trust’s Bournemouth Cancer Support Centre on 01202 315 824 or email Bournemouth.centre@wessexcancer.org.uk    

Community Funding - Round 4 is now open

The Dorset Community Impact fund (round 4) aims to support community organisations and charities to deliver services that improve the lives and wellbeing of people in the Dorset Council area. 

Projects supported will target those whose needs are greatest and support the council's ambition of reducing demand for its services through connecting people to the right help, support and early intervention. 

Local community groups can apply for grants of up to £6,000 and micro grants (up to £1,000) are also available via the Micro grants pot. Applicants must demonstrate how their project would help achieve the council's priorities for improving the lives of local people.

For more information, including how to apply and information on deadlines for both main and micro grant applications, can be found on the Dorset Council website. 

We would like to invite you to join us at one of the free events below to discuss our plans for the future of health and care in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight:
 

• Basingstoke: 8th October, 4pm-7pm at The Ark Centre, Dinwoodie Drive RG24 9NN
• Cowes: 10th October, 4pm-7pm at The Sugar Store Events Centre, Medina Road PO31 7HT
• Southampton: 14th October, 4pm-7pm at The Atrium, Solent University SO14 0YN
• Portsmouth: 16th October, 4pm-7pm at the Heritage Room at the Marriott Hotel PO6 4SH

 
We are hosting this event to discuss with local people, staff and our key stakeholders how we are responding to the commitments set in the national NHS Long Term Plan. We will be describing our local priorities based on the opportunities available to us, the current challenges we face such as increasing demand and the availability of workforce and crucially, what our population has told us needs to change.
 
The event takes the format of a drop-in session so you are welcome to come at any time during the three hours. There, we will describe our plans for the future on topics such as mental health, prevention, cancer and GP services and ask people for their feedback.  We will have a number of presentations throughout the evening, as well as a wellbeing area demonstrating our focus on staying well and preventing ill health.

These events follow on from a system-wide survey that our partners in Healthwatch ran to determine what local people wanted to support their health and care needs. We received around 700 responses to the survey, so many thanks to all those who took the time to take part. Trends among the earlier responses suggested there was a willingness among our population to improve their own health and wellbeing, to live healthier lives, but that they wanted more support and fewer obstacles in order to be able to do so. They also felt that they wanted to embrace technology to manage their health but were keen to ensure that face to face interaction, when needed, was still a priority especially when accessing GP services.

All of this work will feed into the development of the long-term plan for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, which is due to be completed in November, and will form the basis for the planning of health and care services four our area over the next few years.
 
In order to attend the event located closest to you, please register your interest by clicking on one of the links below:
 

• The Ark, Basingstoke event: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/74845570115
• The Sugar Store, IOW event: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/74860318227
• Solent University, Southampton event: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/74865900925
• Portsmouth Marriott Hotel event: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/74870330173

 

The Colosseum dental group recently ended three of their contracts to provide NHS dental services in Portsmouth and the mydentist group previously ended their contracts to provide NHS services in in Alton and Tadley.

NHS England is responsible for buying NHS dental services and is planning to put in place some new long-term contracts to provide more dental services in these locations, to replace those where contracts have ended. NHS England want to make sure that the new services take into account what is most important to you when using NHS dental services.
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Please share your views by completing the online survey on the NHS engagement website. The survey is open until 21 October 2019.

If you would prefer to complete the survey in writing or need the information in a different language please call 0113 824 9119 or email england.wessexdental@nhs.net.

The NHS Long Term Plan (LTP) was published in January 2019 describing ambitions for improved cancer outcomes and services in England over the next ten years.
 
The key ambitions in the NHS Long Term Plan for Cancer are:

• by 2028, the proportion of cancers diagnosed at stages 1 and 2 will increase from around half now to three-quarters of cancer patients; and
• from 2028, 55,000 more people each year will survive their cancer for at least five years after diagnosis.

 
With our partner organisations, the Wessex Cancer Alliance is responsible for realising the LTP ambitions for the population of Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
 
Following the development of the Wessex Strategic Vision for Cancer and Independent Cancer Taskforce strategy, both published in 2015, the Alliance has completed a review of achievements across our geography and now plan to refresh the Wessex Cancer Strategy in response to the Long Term Plan.
 
The strategy will describe the population needs and propose ambitious objectives for service improvement to deliver the commitments set out in the NHS Long Term Plan, seeking to address unwarranted variation, improve patient experience, and be supported by appropriate workforce.
 
A consultation event on the afternoon of Thursday, 19th September 2019 will take place to describe the achievements across the Wessex area to date and to draft content of the refreshed cancer strategy. A series of workshops will be held afterwards where participants will be invited to input directly into the core elements of the future strategy for Wessex Cancer Services.
 
The event will take place between 1.00pm and 5.00pm at The Ageas Bowl, Botley Road, West End, Southampton, Hampshire, SO30 3XH.   
 
Places are limited so prior registration is required. Please email england.wessexscn@nhs.net to register for the event. When registering for the event please state if you have any dietary requirements (lunch will be provided).

Communities Against Cancer is a project to help people reduce their risk of cancer, be aware of the signs and symptoms of cancer, and seek help at an earlier stage.

Funded by Wessex Cancer Alliance and managed by the charity, Action Hampshire, the project aims to benefit people who are less likely to know how to look after their health or are less able to do so. You don’t need to be knowledgeable about cancer to apply for a grant, as Action Hampshire will provide Cancer Champion training.

They are offering grants of up to £700 to help organisations and individuals join them in this mission.

The project is focused on the Isle of Wight, urban south Hampshire, and south Dorset. If your organisation works in or near these areas then please share your ideas of how you can help your community improve their cancer-related health outcomes. 

Application deadline: Fri 29 Nov 2019 and then the last working day of each month, up to Fri 28 Feb 2020.

Visit their website for more information and a copy of the application form. If you have any queries about applying for a grant, please email Kevin Sawers or call 01962 857358.

Join the Patient and Public Voices Forum, and help put people and communities at the heart of the NHS Cancer Programme
 
The NHS Cancer Programme exists to improve early diagnosis, survival, quality of life and patient experience for people with cancer across England.
 
Our Patient and Public Voices Forum allows the NHS Cancer Programme to be shaped by patient, carer and family perspectives.
 
We are looking for people across England, who are passionate about the NHS, and can spare a few days this year to help us transform cancer services.
 
For an information pack and details of how to apply please contact Kaz Obuka:
 
kalu.obuka1@nhs.net
075775544914
 
The closing date for applications is Monday 30 September 2019.

NHS England and NHS Improvement’s new national initiative, CYPNCPES, is seeking three Youth Advisers aged 16-20 who have been previously treated for cancer. CYPNCPES works with children and young people under 16 to understand their cancer care experience.
 
Youth Advisers will form part of an Advisory group to develop a new patient experience survey to support the improvement of cancer care.
 
Youth Advisers will need to attend a series of meetings and telephone calls over an initial 18 month period. Travel costs for face to face meetings will be covered. 

Full details can be found here but if you have any further queries, please contact  Melinda Smith in the Insight & Feedback team  at melinda.smith1@nhs.net. Applications close on 13 September 2019.

Governor Election 2019 - Nominations Open
If you care about healthcare in Dorset as much as we do join us as a Governor
The Trust is holding an election to the Dorset HealthCare Council of Governors in September. Stand for election as a Governor and help us shape local health services in your Community.
As a Governor you will be able to:

• actively find out what members think abut the healthcare provided by the Trust
• share with the Board and Council the views of the people in your community
• ensure there is robust challenge about what is happening with the community and mental health services in your community and how they are being provided by Trust.

You do not need specific qualifications for the role, other than enthusiasm and an interest in Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust and a commitment to representing your constituents to the best of your ability. The Trust will provide a comprehensive induction programme and on-doing training for Governors who are elected.
The Election process is being run by UK Engage and nominations are now open. To access the online nomination portal or download a nomination form in PDF or Microsoft Word format please visit nom.ukevote.uk/dhc
If you would like a form to be sent to you by post or email please contact UK Engage between 9.00am and 5.00pm, Monday to Friday.
 
Contact UK Engage:
Tel: 0345 209 3770
Email: dhc@uk-engage.org
Post: UK Engage, Image House, 10 Acorn Business Park, Heaton Lane, Stockport, SK4 1AS
Nominations will close at 5pm on 9 September 2019

 SOLENT NHS TRUST


Join us in improving the way we
establish & capture feedback:
 Do you want to share what really matters to you & your family to help shape the delivery of care? 
 
Support us to:
· Review possible options for a new Experience
Feedback System for both Patients and Stakeholders.
 Help to identify the preferred supplier of a new
Experience Feedback System 
· Give your perspective of how user friendly the potential systems are. Be involved in live demonstrations and tell us what really matters to you
· Work together face-to-face or in a way that suits you
 
To support, we are looking for participants to attend and
support discussions on the following dates:
11th September 2019 12.00 – 17.00 Evaluation Review
Friday 20th September 2019 09.00 – 17.00 Presentation Event
 To support, we are looking for participants to attend and
support discussions on the following dates:
11th September 2019 12.00 – 17.00 Evaluation Review
Friday 20th September 2019 09.00 – 17.00 Presentation Event
 

 
NHS England and Improvement, Public Health England and Diabetes UK are launching a new online self-management website for adults living with type 2 diabetes.
 
The website will:

• Provide education and information about type 2 diabetes and its treatments
• Offer content on managing your mood and stress
• Help with adopting and maintaining healthy behaviours (e.g. diet, exercise).

 
We’ve put together a short survey to gather the views of the people who matter – those living with type 2 diabetes, their carers and the healthcare professionals who help them.
 
The survey will take less than five minutes to complete and your answers will help to shape the new website.
Your responses will be completely anonymous and there are no right or wrong answers.
 
The survey will be open until Monday 2 September 2019.
 
Click here to start the survey. We’d love to hear from you.