Meeting Together Forum celebrates its decaversary

The people we support recently celebrated more than 10 years of the Meeting Together Forum

Recently, our joint discussion group for people we support and staff celebrated its 10 year (+1) anniversary!

Known as the Meeting Together Forum, this group has come together roughly once a month since 2011 to discuss a wide range of ideas and items relating to our organisation, in order to give the people we support an outlet and opportunity to ask questions and give opinions on their care and on how the charity is run.

Chaired and organised by Julie

Nice to look at policies

Logan, Autism Together’s Quality and Assurance Manager, a range of different individuals, management and staff have been part of the forum since it started. While the forum had to take a break during the pandemic, it returned in 2022, which has allowed the group to belatedly celebrate the ten-year anniversary of the Meeting Together Forum, just 1-year late! The anniversary meeting was combined with a party for the forum members, but there was business to attend to as well. some days out together or other activities. Mike suggested they could go bowling one night after a meeting, a sort of team-building session. What a great idea!

Michael, Clare, Keren, Ken, Graeme, Clayton and Stephen were all in attendance to represent the people we support, while Julie, Ian, and Callum represented the staff.

Firstly, the group had a chat about what they enjoyed about meeting together.

After finalising planning details for the next two disco nights at Giles Shirley Hall, the group discussed ideas for the future of the forum.

As part of the meetings, the forum often look at an easy-read policy document and give their thoughts on it.

This month they looked at the CQC’s report about reduction in restraint.

Ken asked if the group could arrange

Clare, Mike & Ken read sections talking about how some organisations might use restraint, seclusion and segregation in services like hospitals or care homes for autistic people, people with learning disabilities and/or mental health conditions.

During the group discussion, everyone felt that they were supported very well by their staff at Autism Together.

Ken said, if he is feeling down or not in a good mood, he knows that he can talk to his staff team who will support him.

Mike said he finds it comforting to know he can talk to his staff team and they will help him if he needs it. Clare said she has a good staff team whom she can talk to.

The group finished this section of the meeting with a chat about how all Autism Together’s staff receive regular training, in order to refresh their knowledge and ensure they give the very best support they can. All agreed this is a good thing.