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WEDNSDAY 2nd. December 2008
SERVICE USER MEETING – FRIDAY 28TH NOVEMBER 2008
The Future of River House
A Service User meeting was held on Friday 28th November 2008 at the River House, attended by Antony Lillis, Chair of the River House Board of Trustees, who presented the Consultation Review to Service Users.
The Consultation Review was instigated by the Board of Trustees earlier in the Summer so that an independent view could be given as to the current position of the River House, and as an advisal document for the future development of the project. During the compilation of the review, the Consultant had meetings with Service Users to obtain feedback , and also with current staff at the River House. The final Consultation Report will be presented to the Board of Trustees at the next Board Meeting on Tuesday 9th December 2008.
The major points that were raised at the meeting was the proposed new staff structure of the River House, which the Consultant has recommended as necessary to deliver the new Service Level Agreements (SLA) required by the Local Authorities and PCT Commissioners. It is envisaged that the delivery of these SLA’s will best be met by three Management Posts: that of Director; Operations Manager (who will also be responsible for the Kitchen and Reception staff); and a Client Support and Services Worker (who will be responsible for Client Support Sessional Workers. A full description of the Job roles is available on the Reception Desk for Service Users information. Kindly ask the Receptionist for a copy.
Also discussion was given to the future role of the River House as a “hub” for HIV services in West London, as is currently taking place with various initiatives – Out on Tuesday (a weekly drop-in for under 24’s): Know 4 Sure Sexual Health screening: Gay Men’s Project: Naz Project London: and Food Chain. It is envisaged that additional HIV and Sexual Health related projects will be introduced in the coming months.
Questions posed by Service Users were responded to by the Chair of the Board of Trustees and it has been agreed that future meetings will be held to update and liaise with Service Users to ensure that an open and transparent forward path is crated with total Service User involvement in the future of the project.
Jim Smith
Service User Rep
THURSDAY 10th. August 2008
5 th August 2008
Dear Service Users
River House is pleased to announce that it has commissioned the services of an independent consultant, Tahera Aanchawan, to advise the Board on a range of key aspects of future development necessary for the ongoing work of the Project. The review will focus on:
• Advice on the staffing structure required to deliver the service effectively as currently commissioned.
• Help inform the Board's strategy for the next 3 years to achieve a balanced budget in the medium term and a secure funding base in the longer term.
• Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the Project.
• Identify opportunities and threats on the horizon.
• Facilitate the future engagement of Service users.
Tahera, who has worked for the Project in the past, will carry out a range of stakeholder interviews as well as engaging with people who use the Project or who could potentially use it but choose not to. The review will take place during August and September.
In order for this review to be effective I am writing to ask all individuals and organisations involved with River House to participate as fully and comprehensively as you can in order that River House can best adapt to the new and challenging demands on our services. The Board will meet in early October to discuss the implementation of Tahera's recommendations. Either Bryan or Tahera will be contacting you in the near future to arrange suitable dates and times for these consultations.
With my very best wishes,
Antony Lillis
Chair of the Board of Trustees.
TUESDAY 1st. JULY 2008
Dear Service User,
As the Board of Trustees, on whose behalf I am writing this letter, we are aware of some uncertainties which are concerning you as Service Users.
Joseph Burke, River House Trust Chief Executive has historically been an employee of the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham and not the River House Trust. Recently due to a re-organisation Joseph's post was made redundant and as a result he will cease to be the Chief Executive from the 3rd July. The River House Trust cannot re-employ him in this position as otherwise we would be liable for the benefits, pension rights that he enjoyed as an employee of the Council. Joseph himself has advised us that we should not take on that responsibility. As a Board Of Trustees we are looking to utilise Joseph's experience in the future in a capacity that is right for the future of the project, but which remains to be defined, and if it is appropriate to the future of the project.
We have recently undergone a major tender process with the Primary Care Trust (PCT) for which we were successful in being commissioned to provide 'targeted support' services for the borough. The funding we will be receiving is less than in recent years and we have been struggling for at least the past two years with reduced statutory funding but increasing costs. As a result we need to look at the staffing structure of the project in order to move forward in fulfilling the terms of our Service Level Agreement with the PCT but also to sustain us as an organisation. As a result of this we are drawing up a specification to outline what we expect from this review, the objectives needed and the outcomes expected. As the Board of Trustees we want to resolve this as soon as is practicably possible and some we would be looking to have a report presented to us by mid September.
We will endeavour to carry out the review of the staffing structure as soon as possible so as not to interupt the running of River House more than necessary, and certainly by late Summer.
On a brighter note, the new kitchen build is due to commence on the 7 th July. The contractors hope to keep disruption to the Project to a minimum and Bryan and other staff will be liaising with them to ensure this happens. The end result will be worth it ... we can but hope !
Please bear with us through this period and we look forward to developing the Trust with you and your Service User Representatives on the Board to ensure its sustainability in the future. As soon as the Board has obtained the necessary information about a realistic staffing structure based on out budget we will meet with you to discuss its implications.
Kind regards,
Antony Lillis
Chairman of the Board of Trustees, on behalf of the Board.
TUESDAY 1st. MAY 2008
I am a service user deeply affected by the recent news regarding the future of the River House Trust. It seems to me that this is the worse time to be HIV+ in Britain, we have to contend with DLA reviews, potential loss of income, long time unemployment and now the threat of closure from a place that has been a centre of excellence in providing care, support and friendship for people living with HIV and Aids in (West) London.
I have been using the Drop-in Centre since 1996 and their staff always went out of their way to help me. Without their support I simply would not have coped with the physical and emotional demands of my medical condition. By being a “one stop” place where users can access a range of different services from benefit, legal and housing advice, to complementary therapies, all enhanced by Kathy’s nourishing and nutritious luncheons, the Trust has been a beacon in my life.
The thing that always gets me is the warmth welcome that every one receives, be it the first time user or the long time survival, like myself. We are always treated with the utmost respect, care and compassion by its friendly staff. It is like returning to a nurturing family each time.
It is a place where you can be yourself without fearing being judged and where you can make long-time friends. Where you can share with your buddies personal experiences, exchange information on the latest HIV/Aids developments or just indulge in chinwags.
Those are the reasons why we should fight to keep River House open and tell the bureaucrats who fiddle with budgets and set policies that we refuse to be seen as numbers in a culture that is increasingly obsessed with cost effective measures, performance targets and a government that willingly and unashamedly goes after the most vulnerable.
It is not time to be complacent, although HIV medication has improved our lives, some of their side effects leave us depleted, they can also cause life threatening conditions and although AIDS mortality has fallen drastically, people are still dying. We must not forget that the infection rates are soaring and more people will need this service not just now but in the future.
Fernando Monteiro
A very grateful service user
Hammersmith and Fulham
WEDNESDAY 16th APRIL2008
"Following a meeting between the River House Management and the Hammersmith & Fulham Primary Care Trust (PCT), the PCT has agreed to continue funding in partnership with the Terrence Higgins Trust, the provision of Complementary Therapies at the River House. These sessions were previously conducted by CHT, latterly administered through Living Well. It is also the understanding of Management that these sessions will only be available to those individuals recommended by their Hospital Consultant or the Clinical Nurse Specialist (James Collier for Hammersmith & Fulham residents). This arrangement will extend to the Shiatsu sessions by Ossi (one day) and Massage sessions by Maurizio (one half day); at present the two said therapists are awaiting confirmation of this by THT
At the present time, this arrangement does not include Wednesday morning sessions by Katya or Friday morning sessions by Maurizio. Both of these are currently funded directly by River House, and Management will be liaising with the Board of River House on the prospect of alternative funding arrangements (if any). This item is to be proposed at the forthcoming River House Board meeting scheduled for Wednesday April 30th.
The PCT Commissioners have agreed to speak with Service Users in person at a meeting to be arranged in the coming weeks. No date has yet been fixed although it has been indicated that the meeting will be taking place on a Tuesday. Hopefully this will give Service Users the opportunity to seek further clarification and also to raise any issues directly with the Commissioners.
All current funding arrangements are in the final stages of negotiation and will be presented at the said Board Meeting on 30th April. The Management is hopefully confident that this will secure finances and funding through to Spring 2009 (the current financial year). Following this meeting further information will be made available to Service Users and will be posted on this web site.
Please be assured that the Management and Service User Representatives, in consultaion with the Board, are endeavouring to ensure a secure and confident future for the project for many years to come."
Jim Smith - Service User Representative 2008
all text and images: copyright RIVER HOUSE TRUST 2008