Involvement Board meeting and drop-in

In January, we had our first Involvement Board meeting at Hendon Town Hall, where we discussed recent and upcoming Engagement projects. It was great to see everyone together in person.

We spoke about our upcoming Mystery Shopping project, and the council-wide Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategy. The board also discussed how best to recruit two Learning Disability Representatives to the Involvement Board.

At the end of February, we held an online People's Voice drop-in, where residents met some of their new Involvement Board representatives, and talked about their experiences of social care.

We will be holding an in-person drop-in in May, so if you couldn't make the last one, please do come along then to meet your Involvement Board members!

October training event

The new Involvement Board representatives met for the first time last October, along with outgoing Involvement Board members and Barnet staff. Together we enjoyed a day of learning about Barnet and the Involvement Board, and getting to know each other.

"Thank you all for taking so much time with the way in which you celebrated the volunteers who were leaving… it was lovely to see what Jess said to each person." – Older Adults representative

Our Plan for Adult Social Care

We have recently drawn up our Adult Social Care Plan. The plan shows the difference that adult social care makes, as well as the local and national challenges. To write this plan, we spoke to many people across Barnet. We spoke to people who draw on care and support, families and carers, care staff, and experts. We engaged with over 300 people through surveys, focus groups and community visits.

The plan shows how we will focus our efforts to have the biggest impact we can. We are working hard to make sure that we use our resources the best we can to meet people’s needs, provide value for money, and maintain our invaluable services into the future. In this plan, we set out the priorities we have developed with people, plans for the next few years, and how we will make a difference. Thank you to everybody involved.

Age Friendly Barnet action plan

On Tuesday 6 March, the council launched its Age-Friendly Barnet action plan, setting out seven areas in our everyday lives that affect how well we age – from ageism and intergenerational inclusion to transport, housing and employment and volunteering opportunities. The plan has been shaped by the views of over 1,000 residents on the current barriers to ageing well in Barnet.

Over the next two years, the Age-Friendly Barnet Partnership – made up of local organisations, council members and residents, led by Age UK Barnet – will deliver eight projects to address the issues identified in the survey. See the Age-friendly action plan here.

At the launch, residents showcased their creativity with an exhibition displaying art, crafts, knitting and pottery. To find out more about the launch, watch this video.

You can see the exhibition at artsdepot in Finchley until Saturday 23 March. To find out more, please email agefriendly@ageukbarnet.org.uk

Mental Health Charter

Over the last year, Barnet has been working with residents and the voluntary sector to co-produce a set of principles for Barnet organisations to sign up to, in order to promote mental health awareness and wellbeing in the borough.

The charter covers four areas - what mental health means to us, why we are a supportive and inclusive borough, how Barnet residents feel, and what we expect our services to do.

We launched the Mental Health Charter on World Mental Health Day in October at the Council's Colindale office. Councillor Paul Edwards, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said:

“Poor mental health touches almost everyone at some point in their lives, whether it’s directly, or through a friend or family member. With this new Charter, we expect to see lots of positive change over the next 12 months. We hope to see key council partners, local businesses and statutory bodies sign up to the Charter and to pledge what they will do to help support us in its delivery.”

One of our residents commented:

"The Charter means a lot to me personally as I’ve had depression and mental health challenges since the early 80s. The Charter is so important - both in terms of the commitment behind it from Barnet Council and that it has been developed with residents."

Carers' Strategy

This year, we launched our new Carers' Strategy for 2023-2028, co-producing the strategy with carers in Barnet so that we can deliver meaningful change.

The new strategy includes an action plan outlining how carers in Barnet will be supported, both at the council and through organisations in the borough.

Residents said:

"There is a growing acceptance of carers in the community."
"It’s nice as carers to have our perspectives heard."

To read the full strategy, click the link below:

Carers' Strategy 2023-8

Dementia strategy

Creating the strategy

This October, we also launched our first Dementia Strategy in Barnet, co-produced with residents living with dementia, their carers, and other stakeholders. The strategy was co-produced with our community.

We held 11 sessions and engaged with more than 140 people including residents living with dementia, and their carers, professionals in health and social care, the Barnet Dementia Friendly Partnership, and people in the voluntary and faith sectors. We also received 76 responses to our online consultation. This engagement was used to inform the strategy.

If you'd like to read the full strategy, click the link below:

Dementia Strategy 2023-8

Upcoming projects

Coming up in March, April and May...

Better Telephone Conversations event
In-person People's Voice drop-in
Engagement event on Mental Health Charter
Learning Disability Representative coffee morning

Keep an eye out on the People's Voice weekly email for further details!

If you require this in an alternative format, please contact
engage.adults@barnet.gov.uk