I’ve put together our latest updates, and insights to keep you informed and engaged. From details on upcoming events, including the dates for our next Service User Engagement Forum, to helpful tips from our engineering team. 

Current Caseload 

There are currently 27 active cases. Clive is encouraged by the increase in referrals from the clinical team. This is a positive development, as it provides service users with a more comprehensive overview of the support available while also enabling the service to identify unmet needs  more effectively. Clive is continuing to progress the behavioural management issue that arose recently and will be working to move this forward over the coming months.

Service User Engagement Forum

The Service User Engagement Forum (SUEF) was held on 17 June 2026. Despite receiving a large number of apologies from service providers and partner agencies, there was an excellent turnout of service users. The meeting proved to be very productive, with discussions covering a number of important issues, including patient transport, missed appointments (DNAs), and the availability of suitable weighing scales for service users, including maintaining dignity during the weighing process.

Newsletter Delays

The newsletter was originally scheduled for circulation at the end of June. However, publication was delayed as we were awaiting several outstanding contributions. The revised publication date is now early-August.

Younger Persons Taskforce

As previously reported, the Younger Persons  Group did not proceed due to very low uptake. Several agencies that had planned to attend expressed a desire to adopt a multi-agency approach to better understand the challenges of engaging younger people. Clive has now developed the aims and objectives for a new Younger Persons Taskforce, which will replace the original group. Nicola is currently making arrangements for the inaugural meeting, which is expected to take place in late summer.

Festival of Speed

The Festival of Speed took place on 21 June 2026. Unfortunately, despite previous discussions with Deputy Headteacher Lisa Kavanagh at the Kidz to Adultz event in Farnborough, no invitation was received. This was disappointing, particularly as several attempts had been made to contact Valence School to help organise attendance.

Disability Assist

The last full Board meeting took place on 29 July 2026 at the Gillingham Meeting Space.  Clive has been actively involved in the strategic planning and financial reporting for 2026/27 and continues to serve as Chair of the Trustee Board. He will also be chairing a Finance Committee meeting via Microsoft Teams. 

Making It Real Board (MIRB)

Clive has recently joined Medway Council’s Making It Real Board (Adult Social Care) and is delighted to announce that he has been appointed Co-Chair alongside Jackie Brown, Assistant Director of Adult Social Care.

The purpose of the Making It Real Board is to ensure that Adult Social Care services are shaped, influenced, and continuously improved through genuine co-production with people who draw on care and support, their carers, families, and local communities.

This role will also enable Clive to promote the consideration of mobility equipment at a much earlier stage when planning an individual’s independent living arrangements and wider care and support plan. 

VCSE Alliance Engagement Session

Clive attended the VCSE Alliance Engagement Session on 11 June 2026. We will continue to monitor the future development of the Alliance, particularly in light of the closure of NHS England.

Connect to Work – Steering Group

Clive attended the Connect to Work Steering Group meeting on 18 June 2026, contributing on behalf of both Wheelchair Services and Disability Assist.

He was particularly interested in the opportunities for work placements and will be exploring these further, including discussions with local training providers.

Clive also met with Shane Forster from The Education People to discuss opportunities for the wheelchair service to support  wheelchair users looking for work into some sort of work placement. A meeting is to be organised by Nicola to go through in details how this may work.

Canterbury Hellfire Training Day

Clive was due to attend the Canterbury Hellfire Training Day on 21 June 2026. Unfortunately, due to confusion regarding the venue, he attended the wrong location. He has since rebooked and is now scheduled to attend on 13 September 2026.