Chair’s Update (Nov 2016)

Last month, we announced the 2016 Annual General Meeting for the National Needle Exchange Forum (NNEF) to all our members. Unfortunately, it has not been possible to organise a full-day meeting this year. But the AGM – which will be held virtually via teleconference – is at least an opportunity to hear about, and participate in, some of the work of the Forum. The AGM will be held at 7pm on Monday 12th December.

The agenda will include the election of new officers for the NNEF. After four thoroughly enjoyable years, I have decided to stand down as the Chair of the NNEF due to my own work commitments. Since 2012, we have worked hard to deliver events in Bournemouth, Liverpool, High Wycombe and Birmingham, and several other projects and initiatives. Highlights include our leading role in drafting the PHE guidance on naloxone, supporting the legal changes around foil provision, and the Freedom of Information project delivered alongside Release. All of this done with a team of volunteers giving up their own time, and none of it would be possible without the excellent NNEF Planning Group.

I have enjoyed every minute as the NNEF Chair, and look forward to staying involved in the excellent work that the NNEF does. It is now time for a new Chair to take the reins so that the Forum can continue to grow and promote needle and syringe programmes across the country. These programmes as important now as they have ever been, and so is the Forum.

I hope that you can join us for the AGM in a few weeks’ time, to discuss the future plans and help chose a new Chairperson. We are particularly keen to hear from motivated, proactive individuals who are interested in joining the NNEF Planning Group. To participate in the AGM teleconference, please send an RSVP email to bridgejamie@hotmail.com. You will then be sent the access details a week before the call, as well as the background paperwork.

Many thanks,

Jamie Bridge – NNEF Chair