Between 20th October and 16th January, we will be running public consultation meetings across Bradford, Airedale and Craven. This is your chance to let us know what you think about our plans to become a Foundation Trust. The meetings will feature both executive and non-executive directors of the Trust, available to answer your questions. Refreshments will be available at these meetings. The meetings will be held at:-

4/11/08, 6pm - Rhydding Hall, Christchurch, Ilkley

19/11/08, 6pm - Keighley Town Hall

1/12/08, 6pm - Bradford Central Library

3/12/08, 6.30pm - Skipton Town Hall

8/1/09, 1pm - Bradford Central Library

14/1/09, 1.30pm - Victoria Centre, Settle

If you have any questions about these, ring (01274) 363552 or email ft@bdct.nhs.uk.

This week is national Carers Week. This focuses on the theme, “Carers can’t afford to be ill”. Carers in Bradford have shared the rewards and frustrations of caring with professionals over many years, they have told of their own health problems and this Service receives referrals from professionals where caring is having an effect on the person’s health.

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Over 250 people attended three stakeholder events to have their say in the future of our Trust, as we move towards Foundation Trust status. Service users, carers, members of voluntary sector organisations and staff all came to the events, which were held in Bradford, Keighley and Skipton. They saw stalls demonstrating some of the excellent work being done in the District, as well as top entertainment from poetry reading to live music!

Three workshops were also held to get feedback about a number of issues, including whether service users and carers should have their own governors on the Board, and how we should get voluntary sector organisations well integrated into the new structures.

The message that came through loud and clear was that people felt there should be a separate set of governors specifically for service users and carers. People were more divided on what should be the minimum age for membership, with some people feeling it should be 12, and others that it should be 16. Lots of ideas were also suggested about involving the voluntary sector. All these will be built in to the formal public consultation document.

This is your invitation to be part of our three celebration events to be held in the New Year. The purpose of these events is to showcase the good work of our Trust and other local community groups, whilst raising awareness about our application for Foundation Trust status.

If you have a project or initiative that you would like to promote at one of the following events we would love to hear from you. Spaces are limited so a quick response is appreciated.

Please call Samantha Hirst on 01274 228147 or sam.hirst@bdct.nhs.uk for further information. It’s going to be an interactive and lively event. There will be stalls, live entertainment and food from Bradford’s diverse communities. We hope to see you there.

The events will be held at the following locations and times:-

- Bradford, 28th January 2008, Great Victoria Hotel, 12noon – 6pm
- Skipton, 4th February 2008, Skipton Town Hall, 12noon – 6pm
- Keighley, 5th February 2008, Victoria Hall, 12noon – 5pm