The Chair welcomed those present and attendees introduced themselves.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Asma Begum (Soul Sisters), Rachael Bennion (Petrus), Hebe Reilly (Cartwheel Arts), Emma Salloway (Neighbourhood Cohesion & Community Centres Engagement Officer) and Liz Windsor-Welsh (Action Together).

To consider the Minutes of the Voluntary Sector Partnership meeting held on Wednesday 7 September 2022.

Resolved:
That the Minutes of the Voluntary Sector Partnership meeting held on 7 September 2022 be approved as a correct record.

The Partnership received verbal presentation from David Bradshaw, franchise owner of Home Instead Rochdale.

Mr Bradshaw informed members of Home Instead’s ‘What’s on Where’ guides which are produced for both Rochdale and Heywood and Middleton. Originally distributed in 2014 with the idea to inform carers where they could take patients and seniors, the printed directories include details of local places such as community centres and churches which offer regular social groups, activities and meetings.

Home Instead are now looking for different events across the Rochdale and Heywood and Middleton Townships to print within the guides for 2023.

Members were encouraged to contact Joanne Faulkner, networker at Home Instead Rochdale, via email joanne.faulkner@homeinstead.co.uk with any information they feel would be appropriate to include in the guides in the New Year.

An exercise led by the Prevention Lead.

Partnership members participated in an exercise led by the Prevention Lead which focused on collecting views to see what the Council’s priorities need to be for a poverty strategy.

To be developed in 2023, the strategy is at the ‘listening’ stage in order to take a strategic approach and understand different views. The Prevention Lead asked Partnership members the following questions:

·         What is it about poverty and the current Cost of Living crisis that matters to you when you’re thinking about people?

·         In 12 months from now, describe what you would notice that would give you confidence that the Borough of Rochdale is thriving?

Partnership members discussed a range of topics including concerns for families who are not eligible for free school meals, elderly who cannot afford the current cost of living, the need for more signposting to local services, feeling confident by witnessing more investments and developments across the borough, and wanting to see less demand for services such as helplines and foodbanks.

To consider a presentation of the Public Health Specialist.

The Partnership received a presentation from the Public Health Specialist on the Warm Spaces Programme which launched on 10 November 2022.

Members were informed that, through the Helping Hand campaign, Rochdale Council are working with local partner organisations to create a network of warm spaces across the borough this winter, including at libraries, leisure centres and community centres.

Free to use for anyone struggling to heat their home, there are currently over 30 warm spaces in the borough where local people can gather in a welcoming environment and enjoy a free hot or cold drink, activities, and access to other services. Some venues will offer additional services such as free Wi-Fi.

Partnership members were informed that the Council are aiming for a maximum of 50 warm spaces with at least seven available in each neighbourhood. To become a warm space, venues must meet the agreed criteria by providing, for example, a minimum of 10 hours opening time per week, warm drink and snacks, a good help conversation and activities. Venues that are signed up to the programme can access a £500 grant to help with costs.

For more information or to sign up to become a warm space, members were encouraged to contact the helpline on 01706 923685 or email warmspace@rochdale.gov.uk.

A Partnership member raised concerns in relation to dispersed refugees and people seeking asylum currently in hotels in Rochdale and Middleton and having no access to culturally appropriate foods. The member questioned how the cause can be better supported, for example by providing more financial aid for travel to foodbanks, or foodbanks directly supplying to the locations. The Chair advised the member to contact the Portfolio Holder for Highways and Housing, as well as Action Together to see how they could support this through the Refugee and Asylum Seeker Network.

The Chair to provide a verbal update on the proposed Community Co-operative Consortium.

The Chair provided a brief verbal update on the proposed Community Co-operative Consortium. It was noted that the main options for Voluntary Sector Partnership members to consider before the next meeting are:

·         Not forming a legal or formal consortia but actively working together strategically to bid for work and put in joint funding bids. Partners will agree, dependant on the opportunity, who will lead and which partners will be involved or;

·         Setting up a formal consortia or partnership - various options would exist within this including the partnership being a legal co-operative. Members would need to invest development capacity resource to set this up and organisations would need to contribute time and potentially money (or secure funding elsewhere). This would contribute to the running costs of the consortia and managing the legal entity.

It was agreed that Action Together explore how best to progress the Community Co-operative Consortium at the next meeting.

The Vice Chair, Sheila Acton, informed members that she would attend a Community Base Network meeting on 24 November where she would discuss forming a partnership between Community Base Network and Voluntary Sector Partnership members in future. It was agreed that Ms Acton provides feedback at the next Voluntary Sector Partnership meeting.

No matters were raised.

The next meeting of the Voluntary Sector Partnership will be held on Tuesday 24 January 2023 from 10.00am.

It was noted that the next meeting of the Voluntary Sector Partnership will be held on Monday 23 January 2023. A venue is yet to be confirmed.