The Joint Consultative Committee with Ethnic Minority Organisations of Merton Council met on Tuesday 10 September 2024 to discuss community dementia services, tackling diabetes, and the Race Action Plan. The meeting also included updates from committee members and a review of the forward plan.

Community Dementia Services

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on community dementia services in Merton. The report pack highlighted that an estimated 25,000 people living with dementia in the UK are from an ethnic minority background. In Merton, the diagnosis rate for dementia is around 63%, with an aim for everyone to have an early and accurate diagnosis. The report noted that prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the demographics of those accessing dementia services did not necessarily reflect the borough's ethnic makeup. Work is ongoing to understand the relationship between ethnicity and dementia prevalence, with a partnership with UCL mentioned. The Merton Dementia Action Alliance was also noted as working to share best practices, become dementia-friendly, and streamline pathways, with a focus on health inequalities and user involvement. The report outlined key health messages, including the benefits of exercise and early diagnosis, and listed local support available through the Alzheimer's Society at the Merton Dementia Hub, such as one-to-one support, groups, virtual courses, and volunteer befriending.

Tackling Diabetes in Merton

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing the tackling diabetes initiative in Merton. The report indicated that approximately 12,500 people in Merton are living with diagnosed diabetes, with an estimated 4,000 undiagnosed and over 2,000 at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. The prevalence of diabetes in Merton has been increasing year on year, with projections suggesting a rise from 8.3% in 2019 to 9.3% by 2035. The report detailed the Merton Health & Wellbeing Board's Tackling Diabetes Action Plan 2019-2024, which focuses on clinical oversight and service improvement, holistic individual care, and creating a healthy place. Achievements highlighted included the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme, NHS Health Checks, the SWL Diabetes 3 Treatment Programme, and the Expert Patient Programme. The report also detailed the role of Diabetes Champions and community outreach clinics, as well as a Type 2 Diabetes Remission Programme. Social prescribing was noted as a key intervention, with patients with diabetes making up approximately 24% of those accessing the service. The report also outlined the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme, Healthier You, which offers support for individuals at risk of Type 2 diabetes.

Race Action Plan, Hate Crime, and Recent Disorder

The committee was scheduled to discuss the Race Action Plan, hate crime, and recent disorder. The report pack provided information on why stopping hate crime is important, noting its impact on victims, families, community cohesion, and confidence in public services. It outlined how to report hate crime, including emergency and non-emergency police contact numbers, and provided details on other support services available in Merton, such as the Stop Hate UK Helpline and Merton Hate Crime Advice Surgeries. The report also included links to further information on online hate crime and hate crime statistics.

Cost of Living Strategy Update

An update was provided on Merton Council's Cost of Living Strategy. Since declaring a cost of living emergency in 2022, the council has been working with partners, focusing on five priority areas: food insecurity, energy efficiency and homes, finance, benefits and debt, jobs and skills, and young people's futures. An initial £2 million fund, later expanded by £1 million, has supported various schemes and projects, including expanding the community fridge network. The council is also launching an initiative to support businesses in paying employees the London living wage. A significant communications campaign has been a key element, directing residents to the council's website and services. The report mentioned a programme of further events for the rest of the year and encouraged committee members to suggest locations.

Wilson Wellbeing Centre

The committee received an update on the Wilson Wellbeing Centre, operated by Jigsaw4U. Steven Loizou of Jigsaw4U explained the organisation's work with various age groups and introduced the Wilson Wellbeing Centre as a new service. Discussions covered the centre's hope to be part of the wider Wilson transformation, their data collection methods (including quantitative and qualitative data), and the needs of young people, such as increased anxiety and school refusal. The centre also addresses mental health issues and aims to provide support where statutory services like CAMHS¹ have capacity limitations. The report also touched upon the centre's efforts to be inclusive and its collaboration with other local services like the Wimbledon Guild.