Thurrock Centre For Independent Living (TCIL) Event Supported by Thurrock Council. TCIL - Thurrock Sensory Day Event Report

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1 Thurrock Centre For Independent Living (TCIL) Event Supported by Thurrock Council TCIL - Thurrock Sensory Day Event Report Background Thurrock Sensory Day is the result of 6 months planning and co-production between individuals, groups and networks across Thurrock and South Essex. The event planning was spearheaded and co-ordinated by Thurrock Centre for Independent Living (TCIL) with support from Thurrock Coalition and Thurrock Council. The initiative to increase communication, co-operation and networking between groups in Thurrock, Basildon and Southend for the benefit of people with sensory impairments in the area and to improve service provision and awareness of services followed the Sensory Confrontation event that was held in July The report for that event can be found here: There was then a series of focus groups held by Thurrock Coalition in order to inform a Sensory Strategy for Thurrock, these took place throughout September-December The report detailing the identified need for a Sensory Strategy for Thurrock can be found here: It was the momentum around the Sensory Confrontation and subsequent focus groups which formed the basis and impetus for TCIL to hold an event to showcase what support and equipment is available for people with sensory impairments in Thurrock. The event itself attracted over 160 individuals, representatives, groups, organisations and companies on the day and provided an excellent opportunity for awareness raising, information sharing and networking for all attendees. It is hoped that such links will strengthen the foundations of a thriving sector and provide a basis for similar public events in the future. The Steering Group Joel Eastaugh, Chair of TCIL began the planning for the event in August 2012 by identifying providers of equipment and services relating to employment, leisure, technology and health for people with sensory impairments in Thurrock. Once the scale of the project became 1

2 apparent and in order to maximise publicity and attendance, TCIL contacted the Thurrock Council Sensory Development Worker, Jo Hall and the (then) Sensory Rehabilitation Worker, Kendrick Morris to utilise a larger venue in the borough as well as the ability to reach as many people as possible (by combining the TCIL networks and individuals known to the Council). In order to co-ordinate the event and to distribute work evenly and in a co-operative manner, Joel set up the Thurrock Sensory Group, a Social Model based sensory user group to provide a network of information sharing, communication, advice and support. The group began to meet monthly from October The group was chaired by initially by Joel Eastaugh and then by Ian Evans. The group s Secretary is Jo Hall. The Terms of Reference were drafted with the following aims and objectives: The members of Thurrock Sensory Group Group will guide the process of developing work and role the Thurrock Sensory Group. This will include: Ensuring that the people with sensory impairments and carers are supported to speak up and comment about the quality of services received from Thurrock Council through the provision of: Awareness raising Designing, planning and running public events to highlight issues of concern to people with Sensory Impairments in Thurrock Provision of information and advice Promoting good joint working and information sharing between existing organisations and sensory related groups in Thurrock. Deciding what additional activities/actions need to be completed to achieve the required outcomes and who will be responsible for carrying them out Ensuring these activities are completed Reviewing the process of achieving the required outcomes Agreeing how good practice will be maintained Advising on how Thurrock Sensory Group can celebrate achieving the required outcomes. Thurrock Sensory Group will be maintained to continue the work of overseeing and developing the Thurrock Sensory Group in other areas as the Group sees fit. Providing a forum for discussion of Thurrock Sensory Group related items and its operation It is envisaged that the Steering Group will continue to meet to maintain and strengthen the links and networks created leading up to and following the event. The Steering Group was divided into the following portfolios and work delegated accordingly: 2

3 Premises responsibility for proposing and organising the layout of stalls and groups on the day, liasing with the TACC Secretariat and caretaker, ensuring sufficient space, table allocation, electricity points and signage were available on the day. Business had responsibility for contacting, briefing and inviting organisations, representatives and individuals and ensuring the smooth set up and running of stalls on the day. Communication responsibility for ensuring that communications for the day were as accessible as possible, and that the letters to individuals known to the Council were distributed in good time and bulletins delivered. This portfolio worked closely with the Publicity portfolio. Next Steps and Recommendations The Steering Group are considering holding further Sensory Days annually (alternating each year between a public event and an event for professionals). Thurrock Council are looking at updating their training programme for people interested in sensory issues across the borough. It has been suggested that the Steering Group provides some input into this process by informing the content and delivery of training and this could be the next piece of work for the group. Thurrock Coalition (of which TCIL is a member) has ongoing involvement with the Workforce Planning Department, working co-productively to design and shape the workforce strategy. Thurrock Coalition also recently delivered Disability Equality, Awareness and Social Model training for Sheltered Housing Officers which was had a positive outcome. The intention is to roll this training out to Housing Staff, including Estates Managers. Thurrock Centre For Independent Living May

4 Below is the layout of rooms for the day Overall Plan Main Hall Leads - Lynsey Hollands, Gavin Beard Dog run Telecare/O T 7. Adult Social Care/ Community Sensory RNIB Action for Hearing Loss Essex Fire Service Community Safety/Police Power point Fire Exit 6. Wireless for the blind Libraries Seating 5. Guide Dogs/hear ing dogs Sight & Sound 4. Action BL People Employment Blue Badge 3. RAD 2. Adult Education 1. DEA Job Centre /Ngage Bus Pass Transvol Thurrock coalition Entrance 4

5 Overall Venue Layout *Five wireless personal amplifiers. Fire escapes Guide Dog run Hall Canteen Reception Action for Blind Bus National Organisations Local Societies Vitality bus GetOn2GetOn Bus 5

6 Entrance TUPS Deaf Blind UK National Organisations Room 14 Leads Chris Hamilton Sense RP Society Tinnitus Society International Glaucoma Society Meniere s Society Hearing Link Thurrock stroke Project Thurrock Diabetic Group MD Society 6

7 Local Societies Room 13 Leads Annie and Cara Social Eyes Deaf Club Mind Talking newspaper Hard of hearing CARIADS Basis Health Checks - Room 10 Lead Jo Hall Vitality Audiologists Low Vision/Visual Rehab 7

8 Name Attended? RNIB Action for Blind People Action on hearing loss Connevans Sight and Sound Telecare Essex Fire and Rescue Guide dogs for the blind Hearing dogs Adult Social Care to include sensory team and Community Solutions Team BASIS Trans Vol Blue Badge Passenger Transport Unit Thurrock Community Business Radio (TCBR) Job Centre Plus DEAs Library services Thurrock Talking Newspaper Adult Education (TACC) University of the Third Age UCANDOIT Education CITY LIT for Deaf people - Education TUPS 8

9 Hearing Link Tinnitus Society societies room Menieres UK Positive signs RAD Employment and other support Deafblind UK Local Deaf group Hard of hearing group MD Society RP Society Thurrock Diabetic Group International Glaucoma society Sense Thurrock Stroke Project Get on To Get on Bus Action for blind people bus outside bus Vitality outside bus Thurrock Coalition Thurrock Mind Cariads DIAL National Talking newspaper Ngage 9

10 Publicity Materials The following invitation letter was drafted by the group. It was made available in print, electronically, in audio format: Civic Offices, New Road, Grays Thurrock, Essex RM17 6SL Thurrock Sensory Day Thurrock Adult College, Richmond Road Thursday 11 th April pm to 7pm We are writing to you to make you aware that Thurrock Sensory Group are holding a Thurrock Sensory Day on Thursday 11 th April 2013 at Grays Adult Education Centre, Richmond Road, Grays, Essex with support from Thurrock Centre for Independent Living (TCIL) and Thurrock Council Social Care. Anyone with a sensory impairment, those who are blind, partially sighted, Deaf, hard of hearing and those with a combination of sensory loss are welcome to come, as well as family, friends or anyone else who is interested. 10

11 Come along when the Mayor will be formally opening the event at 1pm. Drop in anytime between 1pm and 7pm. There will be a range of organisations at the event, showcasing products and technologies that are now available to support people with sensory loss. There will also be local and national support groups that can provide information and advice on specific conditions. If you wish to join a group or to share experiences with others, you re most welcome. We look forward to welcoming you on the day. If you have any questions or queries please contact Thurrock Centre for Independent Living (TCIL) on or visit the website on for more information. Kind regards, Thurrock Sensory Group 11

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13 The following posters were used to publicise the event: 13

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15 Thurrock Gazette ran the following advert: Below are the links to the various Social Media platforms for the Sensory Day: TCIL: YouTube: Facebook: Group/ ?ref=stream Twitter: Below are links to external publicity for the Sensory Day: Ask Thurrock: Your Thurrock: The U3A: 15