Kent LINk Community Engagement Event in Tonbridge

The Kent LINk visited Tonbridge at the Angel Centre on Thursday, 25 February 2010, from 10.00am until 3.00pm

The turnout for the day was fantastic, with plenty of Kent LINk participants, representatives from statutory organisations and voluntary organisations, as well as members of the public who came along to find out more about the various LINk projects and to take part in the topic discussions that were being held in the afternoon.

Stand holders from various health and social care organisations, such as Kent CAN, Alzheimer's and Dementia Support Service, ICAS, Caring With Confidence, Fibromyalgia Support, Carers First, Hi Kent, Sevenoaks Brighter Futures for Older People, NHS West Kent Personalisation of Health Budgets and Kent County Council Adult Social Services, came along to promote the work they do in the community in an information 'market place'.

During the formal session of the event, the Chairman of the Kent LINk Governors' Group, John Fletcher, welcomed everyone and thanked them for coming along.  He then gave a short presentation on the current Governors' Group report.

LINk panel members then gave short presentations on the panels and the Kent LINk projects that were ongoing, and also took questions and answers from the attendees.  Lyn Gallimore spoke about the Priorities Panel, Ray Fuller updated everyone on the Stroke project, John Gallimore gave an update on the Access to Health Services project, Hazel Brain on the Hygiene and Cleanliness project and lastly David Morris updated everyone on the progress of the Day Centre Services for Older People project in West Kent.

The panel members each did a brilliant job in presenting to the attendees, especially to those not used to talking to an audience of over 80 people! A questions and answers session then rounded off the formal meeting, which was then followed by Jay Edwins from NHS West Kent, and Caroline Davis from NHS Eastern and Coastal Kent, who kindly came along to give informative presentations on Total Place Agenda.  The attendees then had round table discussions on the Total Place Agenda, as well as car parking at hospitals.

The Kent LINk and Kent & Medway Networks would like to thank every one who came along and contributed to the event.  The feedback was very positive and the next one is hoped to be equally successful.

Documents from the day:

• Programme
• Kent LINk Governors' Group report
• Kent LINk Priorities Panel report
• Kent LINk project updates presentation
• Total Place Agenda presentation - Jay Edwins, NHS West Kent
• Total Place Agenda presentation - Caroline Davis, NHS Eastern and Coastal Kent
• Kent LINk car parking charges consultation - Neville Dack, Project Worker
• NHS Car Parking Consultation - Annex A

Post event:

• Responses to the car parking consultation discussions
• LINk response to the car parking consultation
• Total Place Agenda ideas and comments from the attendees