The East Surrey Valuing People Group
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The East Surrey
Valuing People Group
Minutes of our January 2021 Meeting.
Chaired by Sarah Ford and Leanne Yeo
Held online on
Wednesday 27th
January 2021 using
Zoom video.
Important subjects we talked about:
Feedback on the Autism
Physical Activity Survey Workshops
Update on Accommodation
with Care and Support. Webpages
Page 1
Other important subjects we talked about:
Local Updates Agenda Planning
Minutes of our meetings and the Learning Disability
Partnership Board Meetings:
Valuing People Group members
will be sent minutes of their
Valuing People Group meetings,
and also the minutes of The
Learning Disability Partnership
Board meetings.
For any further information regarding the minutes of Valuing People
Groups and The Learning Disability Partnership Board , please
contact the Learning Disability Communication inbox:
ldcommunications@surreycc.gov.uk
Page 2
The East Surrey
Valuing People Group
Sarah Ford explained about the role of the group.
We are a focus group for people with Learning
Disabilities in the East of Surrey.
The areas covered by East Surrey are; Reigate
and Banstead Borough and Tandridge District.
The purpose of this group is to network
and share information locally.
We are one of four other Valuing People Groups
across the County we also have, Mid Valuing
People Group, North West Valuing People Group
and South West Valuing People Group
Each of the four Local Valuing People groups
report to the Learning Disability Partnership
Board Meetings.
Page 3
Physical Activity
Strategy
Mark Sherwood updated us on the new Physical Activity Survey.
This is about the new Physical Activity
Survey that is being established.
Mark Sherwood advised that he works in the Active
Surrey Team for Surrey County Council.
Their team is currently creating a strategy to find out what
people think of physical activity and how we can help
people to have a more healthy and active lifestyle. They
are working with stakeholders and are attending these
meetings to talk to people to find out what they would like
to see included in the strategy.
The Strategy will be available from the middle of May
2021.
The Chief Medical Officer has a recommendation
that all adults should do 150 minutes of physical
activity at a moderate level every week. This can
be broken down into ten minute chunks.
You only need to do seventy five minutes of
vigorous activity – this is where you are getting
sweaty.
A moderate level of activity would include;
cycling, walking for leisure or travel, dancing etc.
Or moving your body around in any way to raise
your heartrate.
Page 4
Mark asked the attendees some further questions.
Q1 - What Physical Activity you currently do?
➢ Leanne Yeo, Co-Chair said that she cycles with an indoor trainer
at the moment, to keep her fitness up. However, in ‘normal’
times she goes cycling with her cycle group.
➢ Colleen Calvo, Primary Care Liaison Nurse for East Surrey CCG
said that she walks her dog at the moment.
➢ Sarah Ford, Chair said that she does a lot of cycling.
➢ Marnie Cotterill, Commissioning Manager said that she uses a
Latin dance app that she does six days a week. Marnie said that
she finds this very enjoyable as it gives you lots of different
activities and videos, it is fun because you are constantly
learning. Marnie mentioned that during ‘normal’ times she would
go to the gym.
➢ Alex from YMCA said that he goes to the Gym every weekday
morning before work and does American Football on the
weekends.
➢ Zilah, Assistant Psychologist in the East Surrey CTPLD advised
that she has been doing online dance classes via Zoom.
➢ Thomas Moore, Autism Lead said that in ‘normal’ times he would
use cycling as his transport method and would also be his
exercise. Due to COVID-19 and lockdown he now has to think
about doing exercise, so tries to get out for a walk or run every
day.
Page 5
Q2 - What simple changes could you do to help you exercise
more?
➢ Marnie Cotterill, Commissioning Manager said that she would
like to access Team Sports and not feel like you are ‘too old’ or
have to be amazing at it, would like to join sports such as,
Netball.
➢ Alex, YMCA said that he has always wanted to try out new and
different sports. When he started American Football, they were
very inclusive, you can be any size and shape. Cost can
sometimes be a barrier, the amount of equipment you need and
the travel to get to the games etc.
➢ Tom, Autism Lead said that he actively thinks about going out to
go for a walk or run as he knows it is good to get out and get
some fresh air.
➢ Colleen Calvo, Primary Care Liaison Nurse for East Surrey CCG
said that you could join more zoom and work out classes to
improve your fitness.
Q2, A – Mark advised that in a previous group lots of people said
that having accessible equipment was important, is this how
other people feel?
➢ Leanne, Co-Chair said that at Active Prospects they have some
good sports equipment. If you want to hire any of the equipment
you have to ring Active Prospects and then go and collect it from
Head Office. Once you have finished with the equipment you hand
it back via the Head Office as well and this is also where you would
exchange equipment.
➢ Sarah Ford, Chair said that this is not common in Surrey, but it
may be a good idea to have an ‘equipment library’ where people
can donate equipment and the equipment can be borrowed, similar
to a book library.
Page 6
Q3 – Would you rather exercise with people who have a learning
disability or not?
➢ Leanne, Co-Chair said that her cycle group has got a mixture of people with
a Learning Disability and/or Autism or people with Downs Syndrome etc.
Leanne advised that she also goes out with her parents twice a week.
Leanne mentioned that when she goes out with someone, they need to
make sure they are trained and know how to cope with people with a
Learning Disability and know how to manage them.
➢ Alex, YMCA said that he manages the YMCA Gym and has found that a lot
of people prefer to work out alone. However, Alex advised that it wouldn’t
matter to him who he exercised with.
➢ Thomas Moore, Autism Lead said that there has been some feedback in the
Autism Strategy from Autistic People regarding accessing mainstream gyms
and facilities by themselves, a few people are finding it difficult to access
them. They want to access the mainstream gyms with everyone else, not
necessarily those with a disability but they fed back that they found it quite
overwhelming in a sensory way.
➢ Alex, YMCA mentioned that YMCA have been awarded some grants to order
some new equipment, they are trying to make it more of an inclusive space
and trying to ensure the gyms are manned so that there are staff available to
anyone who needs it.
➢ Tom, Autism Lead said that the main issue raised was music in gyms, some
people like this for motivation however for some Autistic people, it can be
unbearable.
Q3, A – Would it be helpful to exercise with a friend/buddy?
➢ Leanne, Co-Chair said that in her cycle group they find it useful to work
together as a group as they can motivate each other.
➢ Alex, YMCA said that his partner went running and bumped into a friend
and now runs with her friend one a week, this helps with motivation.
➢ Sarah, Chair said that exercise can be a social experience. Sarah said
that when she rides in a group, they also have good talks which makes
exercising more enjoyable.
Page 7
Q3 – Are you worried that your benefits will be affected
(negatively) if you’re too physically active?
➢ Sarah Ford, Chair, said that it doesn’t seem fair that the benefits
get cut when they are trying to better themselves. Sarah
suggested asking DWP to attend to talk about this issue.
➢ Yasmin Broome, Surrey Coalition said that this is something her
members have expressed that they worry about. Even if the
exercise helps manage the condition, it will not change the
condition but because of the benefits being affected, a lot of people
won’t do it. It is a serious concern; people are too scared to let on
that they have been exercising as they are worried that the
benefits will get taken away from them.
➢ Sarah Ford, Chair said that we need to promote and talk about
how exercise is therapeutic and not just about the physicality of it
all.
➢ Leanne Yeo, Co-Chair said that Universal Credit asks questions
about what you can and can’t do, and do a point system, but
Leanne feels a lot of people won’t want to be honest in case they
drop their benefits.
➢ Alex, YMCA said that this shows there is a lot of anxiety over this
and it can be a barrier for a lot of people. It is important we are
challenging these bodies and connecting communities and working
with partnerships to allow this not to happen. Alex stated that the
amount of anxiety around declaring what you do, is worrying.
Mark advised that they will be carrying out some
coproduction focus groups over the next couple of
months, these discussions are feeding into the focus
groups.
Mark stated that the strategy should be ready around
Easter time.
If you have any specific concerns or feedback,
please email Mark Sherwood at:
mark.sherwood@surreycc.gov.uk
Page 8
Surrey and Sussex
Hospital Community
Engagement
Charlotte Rowbotham asked for feedback on how their service
can be more of disability friendly.
Charlotte asked some questions about the service.
Charlotte Rowbotham is a Patient and Public Participation Lead
at Surrey and Sussex Healthcare Trust.
Their main service runs from East Surrey Hospital where they
have an inpatient and outpatient and acute services.
Charlotte advised that she has come to listen to the group about
their views and experiences that they have had at the Hospital.
Charlotte advised that it is important for them to make sure that
they are a disability friendly organisation. To do this they need to
listen to people’s views and experiences
Page 9
To gage the experiences that people had, Charlotte asked the group
the following questions;
Q1) Thinking about your personal experiences, do you think that
SASH is a disability friendly organisation, in terms of access and
treatment/care? Can you tell us why you feel this way?
Q2) During the pandemic, have you experienced any barriers to
accessing care/treatment?
Q3) What sort of information would help you in using our
services – content / topics and formats?
Q4) How would it be best for us to communicate and engage with
you, to enable you to use our services easily?
Q5) Would you like to be more involved in our work and helping
us to make changes? If yes, how could we make this easy for
you?
Please see the next page for our groups feedback on SASH being a
disability friendly organisation.
If you would like to feedback, please email Charlotte:
charlotte.rowbotham1@nhs.net
Page 10The group gave some feedback around whether SASH is a
disability friendly organisation, in terms of access and
treatment/care.
➢ Leanne, Co-Chair said that at East Surrey Hospital there is a new
system with ‘hot’ and ‘cold’ areas, some people have fed back that when you
get your appointment letter from Hospital it is not very clear what Zone you
are in.
- Charlotte said that ‘hot’ and ‘cold’ are areas in COVID-19. Hot areas mean
that there are COVID-19 patients and Cold areas mean that there is no one
with COVID-19. Charlotte will feedback that communication needs to be
clearer to avoid any anxieties when attending a hospital appointment.
➢ Leanne, Co-Chair said that sometimes you can be waiting in A&E for hours
and if you have a Learning Disability and/or Autism this can make you very
anxious. Leanne also suggested having a separate quieter room for those
with Learning Disabilities and/or Autism as they can find it hard to cope in a
big/busy area.
➢ Sarah Ford, Chair asked whether there could be a fast track for people with
disabilities, like there is with Children. Sarah said that it may be good for
people to show their Hospital Passport at reception so that they are aware,
Sarah said that she is encouraging providers who support people with a
Learning Disability and/or Autism to ensure each person has a Hospital
Passport which describes a range of triggers that may upset them, or
requirements e.g. glasses etc.
➢ Thomas Moore, Autism Lead suggested having a flag on the NHS System to
highlight when someone has a Learning Disability and/or Autism, so that this
could be a prompt for any adjustments that need to be made. Tom suggested
also speaking to the Acute Liaison Nurses who support people with a
Learning Disability and/or Autism.
- Charlotte said that A&E are particularly stretched at the moment and the
advice is to only visit A&E if you absolutely have to. Charlotte reassured that
she would take this to the Patient Experience Board and would link with the
Liaison Nurses to discuss adjustments for people with a Learning Disability
and/or Autism.
➢ Leanne said the dentist is hard to find, not signposted properly.
➢ Sarah Ford said often carers or those on the shielding list don’t attend
appointments because they are anxious about attending the hospital during
the pandemic. It would be reassuring to hear how they will be kept safe and
what an appointment would look like when they attend.
Page 11Partnership Board Updates
Feedback on the Autism
Workshops
Thomas Moore updated us on the Autism Workshops that took place in
December.
The Autism Workshops feed into the Autism Strategy.
We are trying to set up an autism-friendly
approach across services and the whole
community in Surrey.
Autism is the biggest needs group identified
through Children’s Special Educational Needs
and Disabilities (SEND) and is a key priority
across health in children’s and adults.
The strategy covers all ages and all services, and
the whole of the Autism Spectrum including
autistic people whether or not they have a
Learning Disability.
We held an online consultation during the Summer and had
over 1,000 responses.
The responses were from a range of people such as
carers, professionals, and autistic people.
London South Bank University helped us analyse the
responses.
In December we held three Autism Workshops to
ensure that we got the themes right for the
strategy.
We held one just for people with Autism and two
that were more widely available to everyone. We
held two in the evening and one during the day, so
that most people could join.
Page 12More detailed information about the Autism Workshops.
Please see the slides about The Autism Workshop
Feedback and Next Steps that we have sent with these
minutes.
People wanted better autism understanding and acceptance,
more support from specific services and to be able to access
support that is already there. We need to change things to
make this happen. We have arranged this work into
workstreams. Each workstream will have a team which will
include autistic people, family carers and professionals.
Children's Services are putting together their own Autism
Partnership Board which mirrors the Adult one, this will help
with hearing everyone’s voices.
There is no extra money to deliver this strategy, so we need to
deliver this change by working smarter and more efficiently.
There is a lot we can achieve without spending a lot, such as;
autism training, quiet times at gyms, easy read information at
job centres etc.
You will be able to comment on the draft strategy in February,
and we will be publishing it in April.
Page 13Partnership Board Updates
Update on Accommodation
with Care and Support
Sarah Ford updated us on Accommodation with Care and
Support.
This is about Increasing the availability of independent
supported living accommodation in Surrey.
A transformation programme is happening to provide more support for
people with a Learning Disability and/or Autism to live independently in
Surrey.
We have got a lot of people with a Learning
Disability and/or Autism that are living in residential
care settings, although some can have positive
experiences, they may find it better to be more
independent in a supported living setting.
We need to make sure there are enough options for
people in Surrey.
Page 14More detailed information about the Update on
Accommodation with Care and Support.
Please see some slides about the update on
Accommodation with Care and Support that we have sent
with these minutes.
There is a need for more Independent Living Accommodation
in Surrey, as we have many people supported by Surrey
County Council not able to live in Surrey as we do not have
enough accommodation.
We also have a lot of young adults coming from the Transition
Team that need accommodation.
The programme of work started to pick up in April 2020.
So far Surrey County Council have identified four sites for
potential development of new accommodation.
Page 15Updates from Surrey
Webpages
Imogen updated us about our Webpages .
We are updating our Website by getting rid of old
information and making it easier to understand.
We have created a survey that has now gone live:
Surrey Learning Disability and Autism
Partnership Board website survey - Surrey
County Council - Citizen Space
(surreysays.co.uk)
Please fill out this survey as your opinion is
important to us and we would like as many people
to complete as possible.
The survey closes on the 5th February 2021.
We will then hold some groups to focus on the
survey answers.
We are aiming to launch the new website
in Spring 2021.
Please see some slides about the changes to our Webpages,
that we have sent with these minutes.
Page 16Any Other Business -
Local Updates
Surrey County Council
Marnie Cotterill, Commissioning Manager updated us that they are
working towards a new home-based care framework that is coming
up, this was due to start at January but will now be starting in April.
Active Prospects –
Surrey People’s Group
Leanne updated us that Active Prospects hold a group called The
Surrey People’s Groups, these groups happen every month, on the
first Wednesday of the month. This group is for people with a Learning
Disability and/or Autism.
We would love to see more people at these sessions so if you support
individuals who are currently staying in their homes due to lockdown it
might be a good opportunity for them to join the meeting and meet
some new friends and share ideas.
If you want to know more or have a chat please contact Imogen
Osborne: 07929863582
Page 17YMCA
Alex updated us that the YMCA Gym has just been awarded
funding from Sport England which is called a ‘Return to Play’ Fund
to support business’ getting back to where they were before
COVID-19.
Surrey Coalition
Yasmin updated us that Surrey Coalition have still got Tech Connect in
East Surrey so if anyone needs tech support e.g. help to use a device.
Or if you know someone who is not online and would benefit from it,
we can provide a device to loan and we will support them on how to
use it. You can go onto the Surrey Coalition Website and go to ‘Tech to
connect’ to get in touch.
Yasmin advised that Surrey Coalition also have a social programme
that is online, they have been organising some virtual visits e.g. to a
farm, bird world, blue bell railway, museums, monkey world and an
alpaca farm. Yasmin advised that they will be setting up a social group
that will fit into this programme, this will start in February.
If anyone has any ideas of places to visit, please email Yasmin at:
Yasmin.Broome@surreycoalition.org.uk
Yasmin advised that Surrey Coalition also send out a weekly update,
you can view these updates on the Surrey Coalition Website or if you
would like to be added to the distribution list and receive the updates
via email, please get in touch.
Page 18East Surrey CCG
Colleen Calvo, Liaison Nurse advised that they are encouraging
practices to carry on with Annual Health Checks. This is proving
difficult at the moment due to the COVID-19 vaccine, but they are
encouraging everyone to carry on and promote the Annual Health
Checks.
Healthwatch Surrey
Funmilola, a volunteer for Healthwatch Surrey advised that
Healthwatch are working remotely. Funmilola is working with the NHS
and Social Care and feeding back to them what is working and what
is not working. Funmilola advised that they are also trying to
collaborate with Mary Francis Trust and other charities and support
groups.
Page 19AOB
Imogen Osborne, Engagement and Partnership Board Officer
updated us about the Surrey Booklet.
We have sent round the Surrey Booklet with the minutes, the
booklet tells you lots of advice and support in Surrey to help you
through the winter. A paper copy has also been shared with
providers so that this can be given to those they support.
If need any more information please contact
Imogen.Osborne@surreycc.gov.uk
Page 20Agenda Planning
Everyone agreed that they were happy with the day/time of the
meeting.
Therefore, we will continue to book these meetings every three
months on a Wednesday of the month at 1pm – 3pm.
If there is anyone that anybody can think of that would benefit from
attending these groups, please feedback to Amy or Imogen.
Contact details: Email: ldcommunications@surreycc.gov.uk
Everyone feedback that they found the group very useful.
Sarah asked that if anyone would like a topic discussed at the
next East Valuing People Group, please send to Amy/Imogen via
the Learning Disability Communications inbox:
ldcommunications@surreycc.gov.uk
Please feel free invite friends/colleagues who have a link to the
East.
Page 21Attendees for our January 2021 meeting.
• Leanne Yeo, Co Chair
• Sarah Ford, Co Chair
• Amy Jackson, Senior Business Support Assistant, Surrey County Council
• Imogen Osborne, Engagement and Partnership Officer, Surrey County
Council
• Thomas Moore, Autism Lead, Surrey County Council
• Mark Sherwood, Active Surrey, Surrey County Council
• Charlotte Rowbotham, Patient and Public Publication Lead from Surrey and
Sussex Healthcare Trust
• Zilah Atfield, Assistant Psychologist in the East Surrey CTPLD.
• Alex Cole, Health and Wellbeing Manager, YMCA
• Marnie Cotterill, East Commissioning Manager, Adult Social Care, Surrey
County Council
• Yasmin Broome, Involvement Coordinator, Surrey Coalition
• Funmilola, Volunteer at Healthwatch Surrey
• Colleen Calvo, Primary Care Liaison Nurse for East Surrey CCG
Page 22Apologies for our January 2021 meeting.
• Declan Carey, Digital Assistant, Surrey County Council
• Mary Hendrick, Senior Commissioning Manager, Surrey County Council
• Angie Taylor, Surrey Coalition
• Alex Noakes, County Care
• Anita Ainsworth, Cavendish Care
• Alix Lewer, Include
• Barbara Kearse, Active Prospects
• Bloomin’ Arts
• Clare Burgess, Surrey Coalition
• Charlotte Atkin, SABP
• Crossroads Care
• Daniel Dzikowski, Avenues
• Ashleigh Tilley, Avenues
• John Spedding, East Surrey Mencap
• Dan Gower-Smith, Avenues
• Emma Wayland, YMCA
• Georgie Twigg, Millsted Care
• Ian Hitt, White Post Group
• Jade Birch, YMCA
• Jade Vallance, Active Prospects
• Katie Stribblehill, LD Liaison Nurse
• Kate Ford, Alina Home Care
• Kosma Stubenvoll-Hanski, Cavendish Care
• Laura Tickner, Active Prospects
• Lisa Nash, SCDC, Surrey County Council
• Phil Mack, Surrey Choices
• Crystal Howell, Team Manager of the Learning Disability and Autism Team, Surrey County
Council
• Anna Kevin, SABP
• Hollie Roberts, SABP
• Donna Neblett, Achieve Together
• Anne Shiels, Surrey Choices
• Jessica Evens, SABP
• Jenni Pringle, Crossroads Care
• Wayne Askin, YMCA
• Ruth Crosby, YMCA
• Sean Jenkins, Surrey Choices
• Zoe Harris, Healthwatch
• Lynne Ramanansingh, Surrey Heartlands CCG
• Adrian Good
• Caroline Farnes
• Frederick Keens
• Stuart Sharkey
• Jen Fookes
Page 23You can also read
