Together we did...

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This is a dedicated page where we will share examples how your insight influenced the shape of services, or how ideas were implemented in practice.

This is a dedicated page where we will share examples how your insight influenced the shape of services, or how ideas were implemented in practice.

  • Proposals to close the Dementia Support Service

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    The consultation on the Proposals to close the Dementia Support Services has concluded.

    The Consultation ran from 19 December 2023 to 02 February 2024.During this period over 2000 people accessed the online portal. 469 responses were received online and another 15 completed paper copies of the questionnaire.

    Compared with other Public Consultations the council has undertaken recently this has been a strong response. 41% of the responses came from residents who are using the service while This included almost 80 responses from professionals. 80% of responses came from residents and professionals living or practicing in the city.

    As part of the Public Consultation the council arranged 2 face to face meetings. The attendance in those was generally low with less than 40 people having attended the 2 Face to Face meetings. The public meetings were held at the Windermere Club, the venue for one of the groups and at the civic centre. Both meetings were attended by people who use the service, professionals from other organisations, stakeholder partner organisations, and residents.

    A petition was submitted to the council with just over 3000 signatures as well as a formal letter form Healthwatch Southend outlining its concerns should the DCSS end.

    The main messages from the Consultation were that a closure of the service would create a void for those needing support and guidance. People are concerned that it could lead to increasing hospital admissions and admissions into residential care.

    Informal Carers raised concerns that a closure could lead to them being socially isolated. Carers were concerned about the loss of the peer support that was enabled by virtue of the clubs, particularly the Windermere club as well as the expert advice they could access via the services staff.

    Most people would seek alternative support from their GP or would contact the Alzheimer Society. The DCST is recognised as a significant asset by those who are living with Dementia, their informal carers and family members and by Health and Social Care Professionals.

    Final reports

    Cabinet Report Proposals to close the Dementia Community Support Service (4 March 2024)

    Cabinet Report Addendum to Item 8 Dementia Support Services Consultation (4 March 2024)

    Proposal to stop Dementia Support Services- Consultation Analysis

    Full Cabinet details published on website



  • Family Centres Consultation

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    The consultation on the future of family centre services has finished.

    A seven-week consultation into family centre services has led to a number of proposed changes for how the service could run in the future. Several of the comments, concerns and suggestions made will help form part of a detailed new service plan for the future, including:

    • Increased activities spread across as many of the eight centres as possible and at times that are better fit around parents (for example, around school drop-offs);
    • Retaining local centres that are easy to access for local communities and minimise the impact of travel and parking challenges
    • Retain valued activities including ‘baby massage’, the Bibs and Bobs offer and more regular ‘stay and play’ related activities as well as ensuring an adequate range of activities are age appropriate as well as supporting people with neurodiverse needs;
    • Review the best approach to deliver health-related activities such as ‘group sessions’ and across more centres;
    • Develop an extensive programme of marketing
    • Consider how to support local community groups to make use of centres as well as exploring other activities such as ‘fun days’, including Christmas and summer holidays, with fundraising and donations suggested

    The proposed new family centre 'model' will retain eight centres including three as core centres (Blenheim, Cambridge Road and Friars) that would be open from 8.30am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, as opposed to the current 9am to 4pm. The other five centres will have varied opening times based on local needs and with dedicated times best suited for the local community.

    If this is approved by the Council, a staff consultation will be undertaken with a view to starting with the new service in the summer or early autumn of 2024. A draft report published to be considered by people scrutiny committee later this month and cabinet at the start of March details how nearly 400 response were received online, via hard copy and from in-person events.

    A variety of comments made throughout the consultation highlighted the importance of the service and views on its future, such as:

    • “The centres are a lifeline for so many families, friendships have been made, support received, and you are always made to feel welcome.”
    • “The family centres and their staff have played such a vital role in supporting me as a first time mum.”
    • “I still think there are too many venues. I think four main hubs throughout Southend would be enough.”
    • "Timings of sessions needs to be looked at as many of the offers happen at times where some parents can't attend such as in the morning if their children use that time for their sleep."

  • Tackling Poverty Strategy

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    Tackling Poverty Strategy

    The consultation was in collaboration with Livewell Southend. The survey compromised of questions relating to Tackling Poverty and was answered by 643 people.

    Summary Findings

    Key findings from the survey(External link) are:

    We launched an online consultation called "Help shape our new Tackling Poverty Strategy", with a household survey.

    The survey had 643 responses, of which 36%* (240) of those were collected through paper surveys.

    We also held an engagement week, where we visited food provision settings to engage with the public face-to-face.

    Who is experiencing this in Southend?

    The residents who completed the household survey, considered themselves to be personally experiencing poverty. We obtained the following information about residents:

    • 78% of respondents have children
    • 40% of respondents are renting privately
    • 35% of respondents have caring responsibilities (paid or unpaid)
    • 26% of respondents are from an ethnic minority background

    Household / tenure:

    • 40% live in a rented accommodation
    • 37% renting from a Housing Association or live in a council house
    • 14% own a home with a mortgage
    • 6% are homeless or sofa surfing
    • 3% own a home outright (no mortgage)
    • 0.8% living with parents/guardians
    • 63% of respondents, said ‘there was a time when support was needed and not available…’

    What support do residents in Southend need?

    From the data obtained, we noted that residents were looking for the following support and advice around the following topics:

    • Gas, electricity, fuel
    • Housing and rent
    • Food support
    • Mental health and physical health support
    • Benefit, debt, and budgeting advice
    • Family and childcare support
    • 74% of respondents said they ‘would consider stopping their home broadband or entertainment package due to the Cost-of-Living crisis’
    • 30% of respondents ‘use mobile data and libraries as their main source of internet’
    • 54% of respondents considered themselves ‘in poverty’ and have a long-standing illness, with this number increasing with age;
    • 96% of respondents aged over 55+, considered themselves to be in poverty, have long standing illnesses
    • 66% of respondents who consider themselves ‘in poverty’ have used foodbanks.

    It is also worth noting that single people are twice as likely to use food provision support, compared to people who are married or living with a partner according to our household survey.

    A question from the household survey noted the following intelligence around reduction of income for those who attended foodbanks caused by:

    • Sickness and ill health
    • Insecure job and job loss
    • Family breakdown and domestic abuse
    • 36% of respondent’s main income is through work (60% on benefit, 5% pension)
    • 67% of respondents were noted as single, divorced, widowed (age 55+ 85%)

    When we asked ‘what support people were looking for the most’ in our household survey, people who considered themselves in poverty said the following:

    • Support with utility bills
    • Lower threshold on eligibility for working people
    • Support with food
    • Subsidised childcare
    • Awareness of what support is available
    • Affordable housing

    When we asked ‘what is holding you back the most to get support’ in our household survey people answered in the following order:

    • Eligibility
    • Not being aware of the support available
    • Embarrassment, pride, and stigma
    • Mental wellbeing
    • Difficultly to navigate the system, for example: filling out forms and provide evidence; lack of face-to-face support; phone lines always busy


    Who responded to the survey?

    • 16% Shoebury (Postcode SS3)  
    • 21% Southend (Postcode SS1) 
    • 25.3% Southend (Postcode SS2) 
    • 20.4 % Westcliff (Postcode SS0) 
    • 17.4% Leigh (Postcode SS9) 

    Age breakdown: 

    • 18% aged between 18-34 
    • 39% age between 35-54 
    • 44% aged 55+ 

    Gender:

    • 70% Female
    • 26% Male
    • 3% of respondents preferred not to say
    • 0.8% Prefer to self-describe
    • 14% of the responses are from diverse ethnic backgrounds

    It is also worth noting, that we also held a workshop specifically aimed for young people around the topic of poverty; to understand the specific issues that children and young people may face due to the impact of poverty.

    Co-Production workshop

    Southend-on-Sea City Council volunteered to trial a process called ‘Working Together for Change’, as a way of building local capacity for co-production, to help understand what matters most to people experiencing poverty in Southend and to use that understanding to improve lives.

    ‘Working Together for Change’ has a simple eight stage recommended process for co-producing change. It was published as best practice guidance for commissioners in 2009 by the Department of Health and been used widely by commissioners and providers ever since.

    Working with local foodbanks and voluntary sector partners, the team collected information from interviews and questionnaires; with 30 people being asked what was:

    • Working well in their lives
    • What wasn’t working well
    • What was important to them in the future

    On day one of the workshop, we themed this information and spent time identifying the ‘not working’ themes which we thought were having the biggest impact on the largest number of people in poverty in Southend.

    We tried to understand why those things were happening and what the impact would be if we could improve things.

    On the second day of the workshop, we thought about what changes would make the biggest difference and what we could do in the short to medium term that could help improve the lives of local people.

    26 people attended the workshops which were held at a local community venue.

    The mix of people included 15 local people with lived experience of poverty from a diverse range of backgrounds which included single parents, young families, pensioners, people with no recourse to public funds, people from ethnic minorities, mental health, and homelessness backgrounds.

    Alongside them working as equals, were staff from Southend-on-Sea City Council, local health services and local voluntary sector groups.

    The useful community intelligence helped form the foundations of the council’s Tackling Poverty Strategy, and these findings were presented to the workshop participants prior to council staff and partners.

    This opportunity allowed us to gather honest feedback, and highlighted areas of concern or anything that may have been missed in the workshops.

    An example of this was the design and production of the ‘Cost-of-Living’ booklet. This idea was generated from residents, a simple and effective method for people to use. A booklet to help and support everyone. This model was also supported by partners, who are still utilising this information in their working environments.

    Participants were truly part of the co-production journey. From the beginning with the resident engagement (co-planning), co-designing, and co-evaluated the draft strategy.

    In fact, some of the residents who have been part of this co-production pilot, are now also part of other community focus groups, actively participating and supporting others to work together, and truly be part of council and community decision making. Residents have mentioned how empowering, rewarding, and positive the co-production process has been, and they are likely to take part again in other projects.

    It is important to note, that without residents and their lived experience, this would not have been a success, and the content of the strategy has been directed by the community and their needs.

    Next Steps

    The Strategy has led to a coproduced action plan.

    The table below shows how we have responded to the consultation.

    You said

    People need to know what support is available and feel capable and confident to access it.

    We did

    • We have produced a cost-of-living booklet giving information clear information on what is available to support people, this has been distributed through partners to 10,000 residents.
    • We are redesigning our information database called Livewell to make it more user friendly, this is being launched in June 2023
    • We are undertaking four networking meetings across the year for professionals to understand what services are available in the city and how to refer residents to them.


    You said

    People should be able to ask for, and receive, the support they need without fearing negative perceptions, prejudice and/or experiencing guilt embarrassment and shame

    We did

    • We are training all staff supporting residents across the city to be trauma informed.
    • We will run media campaigns to combat stigma.
    • We will continue to work with residents as equal partners to review our actions and take new actions.

    You said

    We need to support more people who are experiencing fuel poverty

    We did

    • We set up and promoted warm places over the city during the winter months
    • We distributed £25,000 worth of slow cookers and electric blankets to residents most in need through our partners in the community and voluntary sector.
    • We supported 8,523 residents through the Household Support and Emergency support fund in 2022/23 with fuel costs.

    You said

    We need to support more people to stay in education to learn new skills and improve work readiness

    We did

    • We continue to support a range of pathway to work programmes that has supported 523 Southend residents to upskill such as run by SECTA, HALO and ABSS parent programmes. 172 of the 523 people supported are now in work.
    • Southend Action for Volunteering Services (SAVS) have set up a volunteering bureau for the city.


    We will continue to engage and review our strategy in 23-24. We might be in touch in the near future to hear your views to assist us to develop more actions to support residents in tackling poverty in our yearly action plans.

  • Together we did - SEND Terminology quick poll

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    Thank you to everyone who responded to the terminology poll run by the SEND team in August 2022 on the Engagement Page.

    After much discussion and consideration of the poll results alongside published documents and other sources, the team have decided to use the term ‘hearing loss’ in their documentation. The team will, however, always ask parent carers at the outset how they would like their child’s disability described

  • Together we did... Information advice and guidance service review.

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    Information advice and guidance review

    The Information Advice and Guidance consultation ran for four weeks from 13th August 2021 to 12th September 2021, and gathered 91 responses. The consultation was in collaboration with Livewell Southend. The survey compromised of questions relating to online and digital support, previous experiences whilst also finding out the needs and support required in a enhanced future Information, Advice and Guidance Service.

    Summary Findings

    Key findings from the survey are:

    • 41.7% have accessed Information, Advice, and Guidance services locally in Southend-on-Sea.
    • 48.2% would access a digital means service (website or google search) initially to find Information, Advice and Guidance to support them.
    • 44.7% said that they were supported straight away
    • 16% sought housing Information, Advice and Guidance assistance
    • 76.3% felt that the support they received helped them deal with similar issues in the future.
    • 73.7% found the Information, Advice and Guidance service very helpful.
    • 52% would prefer to access a future Information, Advice and Guidance service during the day.
    • 47% would like to access Information, Advice and Guidance online.

    Respondents showed a willingness to embrace change, particularly if it involved positive effects on the future Information, Advice and Guidance service. It was highlighted that whilst most people would access Information, Advice and Guidance initially online, support must be provided to those who may feel digitally excluded

    Good Information, Advice and Guidance (which is current, relevant, and accurate) is essential for all adults who need, or may need support in order to live independently. The following were thought to be necessary to guarantee an enhanced Information, Advice and Guidance service whilst ensurring a single point of coordination for residents and users in Southend-on-Sea, providing general and tailored information, advice, guidance, and support to local people.

    • Working with Partners and the Community
    • Eligibility criteria and referral routes
    • Hours of operation and location
    • Ensuring Safeguarding
    • Equality and diversity
    • Generating wider Social Value
    • Making sure that inequalities in the quality of life in different parts of the borough are tackled by a stronger focus on local needs.
    • Improved digital channels
    • A targeted face to face and telephone offer
    • The service must be flexible to meet Southend-on-Sea residents needs and arising trends.


    Next Steps

    The findings of this survey have been used in the tender process for the contract of a new enhanced Information, Advice and Guidance service which will begin on 1st April 2022. The successful provider will use the detail from this consultation to develop and produce an Information, Advice and Guidance service which is available and accessible for everyone. And will support the council’s work to deliver the Southend 2050 ambition and outcomes.

    The table below shows how we have responded to the consultation.

    You Said

    We Did

    Promotion of Information Advice and Guidance should be promoted digitally.

    The Specification addresses improving digital channels, proving information via various means including digital platforms and social media. Although technology isn’t for all, there should also be alternatives available for people who cannot access the internet, do not have digital skills or speak the same language.

    Ensuring the Information, Advice and Guidance provided is up to date.

    The specification will outline that the Provider will keep up to date with emerging developments around Information, Advice and Guidance locally, regionally and nationally, and update their practice accordingly.

    Support should be offered to help people maintain/manage owner-occupied accommodation.

    The new provider will assistance and advocate to empower tenants to liaise with landlords / mortgage lenders/companies.

    Should rely on already established, tried, and tested digital platforms rather than wasting resources creating online advice resources.

    The Specification addresses providing information via various means including existing digital platforms.

    More funding is required to make IAG services sustainable as they are vital to health and wellbeing.

    SBC recognises the important contribution made by IAG services in the town protecting the IAG budget from further savings at a time when other services are having budget cuts.

    IAG services outcome needs to be aligned with existing outcomes framework(s) ie the ASC Strategies

    The new IAG service will be aligned to meet the relevant ASC strategies outcomes and will help to deliver on several of the Southend 2050 Safe and Well ambitions and outcomes.

    SBC will work with grant funded services to develop a joint shared, agreed set of outcomes so there is more integrated working.

    Will the structure of the model include small organisations?

    Going forward we need to build strategic partnerships to allow smaller charities to influence local policy decisions.

  • Together we did... Sexual health service consultation

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    Together we did

    We heard the views of Southend residents about their experience of using the sexual health services and what they required in a future service. Professionals also provided feedback on supporting residents to access these services.

    We received 260 responses from residents and 23 responses from professionals and key themes from these responses included people needing:

    • A central Southend service location
    • Reduced waiting times
    • Flexible appointment times (including evenings & weekends)
    • More inclusive approach
    • Secure and confidential service
    • Client satisfaction
    • Easily accessible service
    • Online appointments & testing

    Next Steps

    The service specification was written to include the above themes. The winning provider Brook Young People delivers its services from Warrior Housing in central Southend offering the following:

    A single phone number (0330 135 5916) and website (www.sexualhealthsouthend.co.uk) is in use for residents seeking information about the available services and how to access them

    Daytime, evening, and weekend appointments in a central location easily accessed by public transport

    24/7 online services for some contraception provision and some testing & treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

    A range of appointment options including virtual or face-2-face consultations, booked appointments, and walk-in provision

    A welcoming and inclusive culture where residents’ sexual health is at the centre of provision

  • Together we did… Music on Sea engagement page

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    What did we want to do?

    Music on Sea is the Music Education Hub for Southend already providing music education in most Southend schools through instrumental tuition, projects and workshops.

    We are looking to widen and increase communication and engagement with all communities within the borough, in and out of school.

    Following the launch of the page on Your Say Southend, here is what you said:

    Youth Open Mics allow young people to develop their talent without being judged by their peers at school - submitted via the Music on Sea Instagram page

    MoS said: partners of Music on Sea are already offering these type of events such as SoSlam, Essex Vocal Coaching and Southend YMCA.


    There is a large community of home schoolers in the town and it would be wonderful to have a group focused on music that those young people could access. (parent request)

    MoS said: a Home Educated Music group for those aged from 7 to 12 has been established meeting on a Tuesday morning from 10:30 to 11:30 at the Tickfield Centre led by an experienced Music on Sea tutor


    Schools, festivals and local music performances should be encouraged to bring in songs and compositions of African heritage to curriculum.

    This means that there are many unknown and unsung compositions of British-African composers, that may be largely unknown to the music curriculum in Essex and nationwide as well. Tangible efforts should be made to include percussion, body and movement musical activities and music festivals of a diverse and inclusive nature to the Southend On Sea summer calendar. Thank you for reading. SBAC

    (Southend Black and Asian Community)

    MoS said: We are already able to promote and encourage schools and music leads to explore a wider diversity and inclusivity of songs and musical activity. There is always a potential for more but needs to be right. Music on Sea has developed close links with the BAME lead for Southend and Essex and will be working closely with the newly established Southend Identity and Diversity Network Group for schools. We are also working alongside partners from the South Essex African Caribbean Association to develop future projects and workshops.


    Quick Polls results:


    Does listening to music make you happy?

    Yes: 100% No: 0%

    Do you think music is important in school?

    Yes: 100% No: 0%

    What next?

    Watch out to contribute to the latest polls and there is still an opportunity to share ideas, thoughts and stories.

    We look forward to hearing from you.

  • Together we did... Southend Drug and Alcohol Recovery and Treatment Service

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    Together we did...

    The Consultation

    We asked citizens of the borough for their views on the current drug and alcohol treatment offer across Southend, seeking their views of what they think currently works well, what they feel needs to change, and what they feel needs to improve.

    We received 27 responses from those who had previously accessed treatment services (and/or knew someone who had), and 6 responses from professionals. Although this was a relatively low sample, it built upon previous consultation activity conducted prior to the pandemic which saw 117 responses from those with direct or indirect experience of accessing the services, and another 23 responses from professionals across several support services.


    The Feedback

    Overall, the findings of the latest online consultation echoed the key findings of the previous consultation activities:

    • Broadly, people are satisfied with the current approach to drug and alcohol treatment and the services that are in place
    • People state that they would like to have more 1-1 individual support available
    • People would like “recovery” from drug and alcohol use to be more visible and to see more people who have recovered leading groups and activities, and being employed in the services

    A summary report of the surveys are available on Your Say Southend

    Next Steps

    From reviewing the surveys’ results, we have developed a new specification for our drug and alcohol treatment contracts which encourage providers to:

    1. Develop services which enable greater engagement with the service users
    2. Provide opportunities for service users in recovery to design and deliver activities to engage those just coming into the service
    3. Provide professional development pathways for individuals to move from service use into peer support, volunteering opportunities and into employment with the treatment service or other allied support services

  • Together we did... The Worry Box 2021

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    Together we did...

    Understanding the impact of the pandemic on young people’s lives, the youth council launched the worry Box project during children’s mental health week. Young people aged 13+ were asked to share their worries.

    Why the worry box?

    • To have a greater understanding of what is troubling the young people of our community at this time, so that action can be taken.
    • To ensure that young people have an opportunity to voice their worries.
    • Writing things down has a positive effect on wellbeing as it allows you to make sense of what’s happening in your life.

    Based on the identified worries, a panel of experts along with youth council members conducted a webinar which was recorded. This recording is now available for children and young people to watch on the Your Say Southend website.

    Next Steps...

    Based on the identified worries, a panel of experts along with youth council members conducted a webinar which was recorded. This recording is now available for children and young people to watch on the Your Say Southend website.


  • Together we did... Southend Family Carers and Professional Surveys 2020

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    supporting image

    Together we did...

    We heard the views of unpaid family carers, their friends and family, and professionals who work with carers, about their experiences of caring and any support they received.

    We received 204 responses from carers, their family and friends, and 89 responses from professionals. Overall, the experiences that carers, their family and friends shared with us, tell us that, while carers face many of the same challenges, their personal situation and experiences impact on how they respond to them and what support they would like to help them in their caring role.

    Summary report of the surveys are available on Your Say Southend

    Next Steps...

    From reviewing the surveys’ results, we have identified five priorities that we want to achieve in the next 18 months:

    1. Joint five year all age carers strategy –we will co-produce with carers to make sure we have the most effective approaches and support in place that matters most to carers and improve outcomes for carers in Southend.
    2. Transitions – carers are prepared for changes in their caring journey, helping them to have confidence and control.
    3. Recognition and early identification – the role of unpaid cares will be recognised and respected across Southend and carers will identify early in their caring journey so they know they are not alone and what support is available so should they need/want it.
    4. Knowledge and understanding – we will have an improved understanding of carers strengths, needs and aspirations which will help to deliver a vibrant, responsible market of support that carers want.
    5. Partnership and integration – Health, care and community service (including the voluntary sector) will work together to offer a person centred support, tailored to the preferred of carers to help reduce frustration of carers and have a positive impact on their health and wellbeing.


    To make this plan a reality, we must continue the conversation with carers. If you would like to continue being part of the conversation and help us to support carers in Southend please let us know by emailing: integratedcommissioning@southend.gov.uk

Page last updated: 12 Apr 2024, 12:01 PM