THE FORUM AND HOW IT WORKS

Our history and development
Nairn Community Care Forum (NCCF) was established in 1991. Initially it was a forum of voluntary organisations, health and social providers, with some representation from users and carers.

In 1995/96 our organisation greatly increased its users and carer base by developing with the support of Rural Partnership funding Nairn Carers Support Group, Highland Users Group (Nairn) and People First (Nairn).

Over the years we have developed and maintained links with existing user groups i.e. learning disability group e.g. ‘Bonus Club’ and older peoples groups e.g. Nairn Senior Citizens Lunch Club, Auldearn Senior Citizens Group.

NCCF also organised a ‘Still’ Searching Conference in 1999 and involved 46 users, carers and providers in planning local developments, and identifying local needs.

How we work
NCCF (55 members) meets about every 6 weeks. In addition to this groups affialiated to NCCF meet monthly – People First (9 members), Nairn Carers Support Group (34 members), and every other month in the case of Highland Users Group (24 members). Special interest users sub-groups have been formed in relation to specific issues e.g. drop-in centre development, social firms etc.

Representatives from the affialiated groups attend NCCF, to ensure a good flow of information both ways from the forum and the groups.

What area we cover
NCCF covers the Local Authority Area for Nairn. We also include Ardersier and Croy in some of our activities, as the GP Practices are in partnership.

Who we involve
We aim to involve users and carers in as wide a range of planning involvement and development as possible. Mental health users are the main stimulus for the Drop-in proposals, people with learning disabilities have actively considered and made in-depth representation on the ‘Health and Happiness’ Lottery bid.

How we involve
Users and carers discuss issues that are relevant to their circumstances in their own groups. This way we can try to identify common ground and consensus on proposals affecting people in Nairn.

Carers annually agree their priorities. The most burning issues both past and present has been the expressed need for appropriate, stimulating day care provision, and adequate respite care.

People First members are keen to be involved with developments which may emerge through the successful lottery bid. They also actively raise awareness about issues affecting people with learning disabilities i.e. employment, bullying, living in the community etc.

Who we work with
Over the last year we have worked with: People with mental illnesses, learning disabilities, physical disabilities, older people, school children, carers, voluntary organisations, Highland Community Care Forum, Disability Right Commission, community psychiatric nurses, social work and health professionals, Inverness and Nairn Enterprise, Partnership for Rural Inverness and Nairn, Highland Council, The Richmond Fellowship (Scotland), Councillors, private sector providers, and consultants.

Where the money comes from
The bulk of our work is undertaken by the £9000.00 core funding we receive from HCCF.

In 2001 – 2002 we received £3000.00 to pay consultants for the Transport Needs Assessment. £2000.00 from the Partnership of Rural Inverness and Nairn, and £1000.00 from the local GP involving people budget.

We also received £500.00 from Highland Council (Social Work) towards the updating and re-printing of our Guide to Community Care Services. This work shall be carried out in May 2002.

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