Chairman's Report
 Developing the Network

 Exchanging Ideas

To enable the exchange of ideas amongst the widest possible range of users and carers and to provide them with a platform to express their views and take action on matters affecting them by influencing all community care providers throughout Highland

Communicating both within the HCCF network and with others is at the heart of what we do.

At HCCF's December meeting users and carers told us what we do well:

• Information is directed towards pertinent ears / powers.
• We talk with, not at.
• We work with local people who have local knowledge.
• Users and carers set the agenda.

And what we need to do better:

• Use local communication points ' GP surgeries / Service Points, pubs, posties, bus stops.
• More use of local media.
• Put information into local libraries.
• Extend our website.

What have we achieved?

• Notice Boards and active work by the Carers Project in GP surgeries.
• Carers Information Packs in all Service Points and libraries.
• HUG gets regular local and national media coverage.
• HCCF secures a major Lottery Grant to make Information Technology work for users and carers.

Communicating with policy makers is essential if HCCF is to make a difference. Bringing on average 100 people together at each of our quarterly meetings means we have been able to make a real contribution to the thinking behind the Highland Advocacy Commissioning Plan, The Highland Community Care Plan and the National Consultation on New Legislation for Carers.

Solutions to the recurring problems of transport, information and practical help have emerged through the discussions at the Local Fora -  

• A new Community Car Scheme in Gairloch has carried out 422 journeys in the first 6 months. The local High School ran a competition for designing their logo which meant good publicity in the community.
• Users and carers in Dornoch and Embo persuaded Highland Council to extend the Dial-a-bus service timetable. Comments slips in all Dial-a-bus services in East Sutherland mean that users of the service can make their views known easily and immediately.
• North & West Sutherland Forum has responded to information needs by producing a Directory of Services with plans for CDROM, tape and large print versions.
• 'Only a Phone Call Away', the Directory of Services in East Ross, has been updated with email and Web information.
• Caithness Forum provided kickstart funding to an ethnic minorities group to help them speak up, network and negotiate the system; for a feasibility study for funding a local Handyperson Scheme and contributed to the Caithness Community Website.
• Inverness Forum has worked with the Local Health Care Co-operative in setting up Patient Participation groups opening up a new channel of communication.

HUG's ability to exchange and develop ideas and to contribute to policy was captured in a recent Scottish Health Advisory Service Report.

"The Highland Mental Health Service has one of the most established service user networks in Scotland. To prepare for the SHAS review the Highland Users Group used its March meetings to gather the views and opinions of 79 users from 13 branches. They produced a report for SHAS that was informative and helpful and this should guide the Highland Primary Care NHS Trust in taking the service forward".

HUG reports on Benefits and Educational Work in Schools have had an effect ' training sessions with Benefits Agency staff and expressions of interest from the 2 New Community Schools, The Social Inclusion Partnership and Health Promotion.

People First Inverness, East Ross, Caithness and Nairn, along with the Inverness ACE Committee, gave their views to the Scottish Executive on The Learning Disability Review 'The Same as You'.

 Awareness Raising
 Building Relationships
 Involving People
 Independent Advocacy
 Spreading the Word
 Work with Other Agencies
 Evaluating Our Work
 Funding 2000 / 2001

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