Agenda and minutes

There  were no declarations made.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meetings held on 31^st January and 3^rd March 2022 be agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

[A period not exceeding 20 minutes for

Statements from up to 5 members of the public on

matters within the Panel’s remit, proposing action(s)

which may be considered or contribute towards the

future development of the Panel’s work programme].

There were no public statements made.

Glyn Butcher, People Focus Group (PFG) / Safe Space, presented the Panel with his story of someone with lived experience of mental health issues through childhood and adulthood and a voice for other people who suffered with mental health.

Glyn stated that he had waited 38 years to be in the position he was,  at this meeting, being able to tell his story.  He outlined that from the age of 11 he had cared for his mother who suffered with mental illness and father who had suffered with substance misuse and as a result found himself in and out of the care system.

He wished to outline that the PFG provided a connection for people and for them to be heard, because mental health referrals were not what everyone required.  He outlined what he required as a individual was to take control of his life, to be heard, not shut down and asked not to be labelled as vulnerable or someone who has a problem.  He explained that he was a son, father, grandad, trainer and poet.

He outlined the power of connection with people and loved one, for people who suffered with mental health.  On a personal level to address his Autism he needed to connect with people, not be shut down and isolated.  He stressed that he used to think being alone was the worst thing that could happen, but it wasn’t, it was people who made you feel alone.  He continued to explain that everyone could make a bad choice but it was about resilience, learning about yourself and understanding the journey they were taking.  He highlighted that he looked at things differently to the “run of the mill”.  He also outlined that he lived in Rotherham all his life but his Community was in Doncaster where he felt loved and needed.  He stressed that his and family life had improved dramatically once he received the support he required.

He outlined that service and support in Doncaster was excellent and the people who were present with him at the meeting, from Doncaster Council and RDaSH were forward thinking who allowed him to be the person to ask the difficult questions.  He explained about what Safe Space offered and the Ambulance Service peer led crisis pilot.

Glyn finalised by asking for policy documents, where possible, to be jointly provided by partners rather than each organisation having their own document, avoiding duplication, so the public just have one version to read.  He made a request to not complicate systems.

Glyn thanked the Panel for giving the opportunity to speak.

Panel Members responded to Glyn by thanking him for such an inspirational speech and amazing enthusiasm.  They also thanked him for the kind words about Doncaster and reiterated that it was a good place to be part of, live and work.

The Panel continued to address the following areas:

Mental Health ambulance pilot scheme – It was explained that the service adjoined Safe Space and that the focus of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

The Senior Governance Officer presented the Scrutiny Work Plan that had recently been agreed by the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee and the Council’s Forward Plan of Key Decisions.

RESOLVED:  That the reports, be noted.