Thursday, 22 May 2008

A busy day

Steph Gallagher visited me this morning as she is collating core information on the new regional plan for voluntary sector infrastructure. This was something of a review of the past year or two at the Hertfordshire Infrastructure Consortium: how have we fared at Enabling? Influencing? Improving communications? Addressing issues of Rurality and Equality?

At lunchtime, I attended a meeting of the steering group for the research project into local mental health needs undertaken jointly by the Guidepost Trust and Watford Asian Community Care. There was agreement that the findings of the research should be launched alongside the WOWf AGM, and there was also agreement that the steering group should continue as an ongoing forum to discuss issues about access to mental health services in south west Herts.

Shortly after, I was joined by Althea McLean OBE to talk about the Watford African Caribbean Association.

In the evening, Ethel Bangwayo travelled over from Stevenage to give a presentation on the Herts LAA to the Watford One World forum. I was delighted by the turnout - including several new groups - a really good event.

After the meeting, there was much informal networking. As this was winding down and the last people were leaving, I found myself talking with Sachdev Seyan of the Watford Indian Association. Sachdev is a lovely man of great intelligence and passion, and I wanted to catch up with him. Being an animal lover, I first checked the office for any stray donkeys because when Sachdev talks, donkeys fear for their hind legs. But he has a great deal of knowledge and it was well worth the time I invested: I finally left the office at about 10:00 pm.