Community information for the New Forest
The Community Development officer for the New Forest is Sayem Kabir,Tel: 0751 508405
See the team page for more information about your local Community Development Officer
Local groups and projects
Diversity Network Project
A partnership of local authorities and agencies (public, voluntary and private) to share good practice and share concerns around equality, working on projects, promoting projects etc.
Appletree Court- New Forest District Council Offices.
This meeting occurs on a quarterly basis - please contact Sayem Kabir on 07515084051 for more details.
First Steps
This is a Gypsy and traveller community group of residents from Thorney Hill and Bransgore. Many of them took part in the UCLAN mental health report. They live Bricks & Mortar (housed), and have the worst health & social issues across the New Forest. I work closely with this group and visit them regularly to help signpost them to relevant services (not always mental health).
Currently I am trying to get them to access the Access to Psychological Therapy (IAPT) service based in New Milton.
Forest bus health project
Is a 3 year project funded by the department of health to tackle preventative health issues amongst gypsy and traveller communities. The forest bus link in with other agencies and providers to help deliver these initiatives, i.e. linking in with the PCT to educate children and families on basic healthy & hygiene cook and eat courses.
Mental Health
The Community Mental Health Teams
Community (or Locality) Mental Health Teams (CMHTs) are run jointly by the Health Service and Adult Services, and deal with people's health and social care needs. They help people in the community, whether they have just become ill, have a short-term illness, or need on-going support (for example, if they have a long-term illness, or after they have been discharged from a psychiatric hospital).
Direct Payments
Direct Payments is money paid by Hampshire County Council to individuals over 16 or carers eligible to receive social care services. It enables people to have greater choice, control and flexibility as to how their care needs are met, allowing people to live more independent lives