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Fareham and Gosport Voluntary Sector Health Forum

About 

The Fareham and Gosport Voluntary Sector Health Forum is a meeting point for the health services and more than 200 community groups in Fareham and Gosport that support people with health conditions.

The Forum allows patients to influence how health services meet their needs and become more effective.

Purpose 

To engage, inform and support local health and disability groups in the area so that:

  1. They can collectively have their say and influence decision making
  2. Their work is known and valued by healthcare providers, including GPs
  3. They can put forward proposals to improve the health and wellbeing of patients with long-term conditions, and support their families
  4. They are informed about proposals for the development of health services by the Hampshire & IoW Integrated Care System (Hants & IoW ICS) and can respond individually or collectively.
  5. They can provide feedback or raise concerns about health services for the specific needs of patients with particular conditions.

The Hampshire & IoW Integrated Care System (Hants & IoW ICS) 

The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care System is responsible for purchasing healthcare for patients in Fareham and Gosport, and is required by law to consult with patients.  The Health Forum helps the Hants & IoW IC to do this more effectively.

Upcoming Fareham and Gosport Voluntary Sector Health Forum:

  • Thursday 12 September 2024, 10:30 – 12:30 pm at Gosport Borough Council Chambers

Membership 

The Forum is open to all health and disability-related support groups, clubs and charities in Fareham and Gosport that aim to improve the health and well-being of their members. Representatives of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care System will also attend.

Past meetings/webinars

Meetings are organised four times a year, and hosted alternately by Community First Fareham and Gosport Voluntary Action. Groups unable to send a representative can participate in advance by email or phone. The agenda goes out by email a week before meetings, and responses from groups are collated. Generally the meetings have a theme, and ideas and suggestions are always welcome.

The Forum is not a channel for individual cases or complaints to be raised.

Most recent forum:

Fareham & Gosport Voluntary Sector Health Forum (Spotlight on physical health conditions)

Download the PowerPoint Presentation (PDF Format)

The (virtual) Fareham and Gosport Voluntary Sector Health Forum was held on Wednesday 1 May 2024 – with c33 attendees. Following on from attendees being welcomed, Community First’s Chief Executive, Tim Houghton, provided a Community & Voluntary Sector update. He began by describing the challenging times that many organisations are experiencing – emphasising the funding and volunteer support that Community First and Gosport Voluntary Action (GVA) provide.

Tim went on to highlight Community First’s Healthy Walks and their Transport & Shopmobility services – including the Gosport & Fareham ‘Tea & Tiffin’. The presentation continued by Tim describing the positive impact of Community First’s High Intensity User (preventative) Service. He shared information & links about Mental Health Awareness Week, about HCC’s Sensory Walks and the Household Support Grant.

Tim then provided an update on behalf of Gosport Voluntary Action – which began with information about a new Menopause Together Group, moving on to ‘Sofa to Saddle’ and Lee – ICANGO updates. GVA’s supporting role for the 3 local organisations participating in ‘Hampshire Communities for People and Planet’ was mentioned. The HCC funded project focuses upon listening to underserved communities re climate action and resilience.

GVA’s Gosport’s Ukrainian Hub has secured 1-year ‘Awards for All’ funding. May’s Ukraine Dress Day was emphasised – including Gosport’s celebration event on 11 May. GVA’s ICB commissioned Core20PLUS5 Health Inequalities Report for Fareham & Gosport has been completed and GVA are currently looking for Advocacy volunteers. The next Bringing Gosport Together event  will be held on Wednesday 22 May, 12-2pm, at Waterfront Baptist Church, Gosport. Tim concluded by announcing that GVA & Community First are in discussion re a proposed merger by 1 October 2024.

Next, Jenny Bowers, Autism Principle Public Health Intelligence Specialist, Adults’ Health & Care, Hampshire County Council introduced ‘Your Future Your Health’ a programme targeting those 30-60 years, in key Gosport wards. Funded for 3 years – 4 week, skills, health & wellbeing programmes will be delivered via GVA and Gosport Discovery Centre.

Finally, Clare Kavanagh, Engagement Lead, Xyla Health & Wellbeing began by discussing the Diabetes Prevention Programme and the Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission. Clare defined Prediabetes and Gestational Diabetes, highlighting potential complications, the patient pathway, signposting and also May’s National Diabetes Prevention Week.

The (virtual) Fareham and Gosport Voluntary Sector Health Forum ended by the contributors and attendees being thanked and by confirming the next Health Forum ‘Networking and Showcase’ (face to face) event date and time as follows:-

10.30am-12.30pm, Thursday 12 September 2024

Gosport Town Hall, Council Chambers, High Street, Gosport, PO12 1EB 

The Fareham and Gosport Voluntary Sector Health Forum ended by the contributors and attendees being thanked and by confirming the next Health Forum Webinar date and time as follows:- 

  • Thursday 12 September, 10.30-12.30pm (Networking & Showcase Event – Face to Face)
  • Tuesday 12 November, 1-2pm (Webinar)

For more information, please contact Jane Bray:- healthforums@cfirst.org.uk

Past webinars and face-to-face events

Health Forum News Updates 

Key updates from the Fareham and Gosport Voluntary Sector Health Forums are shared with Members via email. If you are interested in receiving regular updates by email, please contact Jane Bray, Fareham and Gosport Voluntary Sector Health Forum Wellbeing and Membership Officer, on: healthforums@cfirst.org.uk / Tel: 07917 718409

Contact Us

For more information contact us by phone: 01329 231899 (Fareham) or 02392 583836 (Gosport), or send an email to Jane Bray, Fareham and Gosport Voluntary Sector Health Forum Administrator, on: healthforums@cfirst.org.uk.

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