Dear Colleagues,
It’s back to earth with a bump after all of the fabulous International Women’s Day acknowledgments and celebrations. It reminds us all that not only has so much been achieved but there is still so much work to be done.
Within Wolverhampton, despite the work of the VCSEF sector and statutory partners, we still have serious health challenges. At the Health and Wellbeing Together Board last week, the particular issue of dementia was highlighted through the Dementia Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA). It is estimated that there are approximately 3,000 people with dementia in Wolverhampton and this is increasing with potentially an additional 1,000 people undiagnosed in the city. Social isolation is a key risk factor, and gaps are emerging in terms of the need for pre-dementia work and end of life planning and discussion. Younger people with dementia have different needs as do people living with financial insecurity.
The JSNA informs a wider comprehensive integrated health and care strategy, including training and co-production. The VCSEF sector is a key provider of services within neighbourhoods and communities including for example, the Alzheimer’s Society, Wolves Foundation’s Molineux Memories and the ‘Front Room’ at the Community Hub in Bilston run by Winston Lindsay who I met up with last month. You can find more information on the Dementia JSNA here.
A couple of weeks ago, I was delighted to catch up with Jerrel Jackson, co-founder and CEO of Powered by CAN based in Sandwell but operating far and wide. He is doing extraordinary work with young people, whether that is through the creative industries, civic change, enterprise and training or supporting mental health and wellbeing. I am hoping that there will be opportunities for us to work together in the future.
Finally, if there are any issues that you would like to raise or anything that you would like to hear more about, please contact me.
If you would like more information, please remember to check out our website and newsletter regularly – there is always new information, and opportunities are always presenting themselves.
Thank you,
Sharon Nanan-Sen
Chief Executive Officer