You need to work out where all the pictures go call it a quiz for Christmas
Have a good oneWell here we are with the festive season upon us, with all the balls and the glitter. (I mean balls that you hang from a tree, what did you think I meant?) Will Santa be delivering your favourite present? Or will he just be waiting for his mince pie and sherry?
Myself, well along with the rest of (sometimes seems like all of) Europe, Sally and I will indulging in our favourite (well Sally’s favourite) pastime, enjoying the Christmas markets of Prague, although the hot wine does have it’s compensations for me. Looking at the webcam of Prague, to check the weather, just now there is snow about, I think we will need a bit more than hot wine to keep us warm!!!
I hope you have all had a good year, in lot’s of different ways and are looking forward to the festive break, and getting ready to take on what next year has in store for us.
What does life has in store? for most us, working as we do, in a centre that helps people with neurological conditions, (along with those who have a condition, plus others, like me who are carers of someone with a neurological condition). We have all learnt that sometimes life can knock you down, but a bit like the logo of Neurosuuport (it looks forward, not backwards), we try to keep on looking forward.
Thank you to all those people who have helped me over the years (now 2), a special thank you to my little elves, who work all the year round for no pay, who have recently joined this little enterprise we call NeuroNews. Have a look on the right and see if you can see yourselves in the picture? no prizes though.
You can contact me in the usual way by email: alan.clark200@hotmail.com or check out our website on http://neuronewsletterspart1.blogspot.com/ . You can also find the link through Neurosupport’s website.
A Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all.
Alan Clark
Welcome to our new volunteers - Speaking of new volunteers!
(not more I hear you say) yes, we are still short of recruitments for around the reception area. I, along with Maureen, welcomed 10 prospective new volunteers on 21st October, although! there was also someone who you may recognise from time gone by. I will leave you guessing as to who, but the name begins with a P. The induction went well and no one left after lunch, (always a good sign). The day covered the usual subjects of confidentiality, diversity, what makes for a good service and last , but not least what Neurosupport is all about and what makes us tick. Some of the new volunteers will be starting soon, or by the time you get this, they will have completed some training in the form of shadowing for a few weeks, so good luck to them. Please make them welcome, introduce yourself, you will (as a new starter, once) have been in their shoes, and will know what they may be feeling.
OUR CANAL TRIP — On Wednesday, 7th October, the volunteers were given a memorable day out. We met at the Neurosupport Centre and went by coach to the Cheshire Cat pub, where we had lunch and some lovely puddings! before setting off on the canal boats. We were split between 2 narrow boats, the Westminster Abbey and Rainbow’s end. The boats were manned by volunteers from Wirral Community Trust. A very good time was had by all, with a lot of singing led by Tracey on the first boat and some ballroom dancing led by Brenda on the 2nd boat – great fun. We were fortunate to see mum and dad swans feeding their babies and coming back they were all out on the water, having their afternoon exercise. We also saw (a big bird, can’t remember what it was----can you help my memory?) a h-r-n, which kept flying off whenever the boat came near. The houses were very picturesque and all the other narrow boats had some wonderful names including the Elizabeth and the Patricia Rose (named after us of course). All too soon we were on our way back to the Cheshire Cat and the coach home. I think everyone agreed it had been a very successful day out and look forward to the next outing. Many thanks to Carolyn for organising the trip and for all her hard work in making it such a success.
Pat and Liz
Can you spot our intrepid reporters? and name the big bird? (fill in the blanks), no prizes though.
To see more pictures checkout our website
Here is a picture of an event that happened on 6th
November, concerning our very own Poet Laureate, Gordon W. Milward. I, along with about 70 others, attended a Parkinson’s meeting. After a buffet lunch, Dr Alusi gave a very informative talk about Parkinson’s and then took the time to answer questions from the floor, concerning tremor drugs and how to cope with Parkinson’s, following which, I introduced Gordon, who read from his book “Days of Hope”.
For anyone who doesn’t know yet, Gordon, with the help of others, has produced a book of his poems, which is on sale for a very reasonable sum of £3.00. All monies raised will be going to charity. By the time you read this, he will have read at the Da Da Fest at the Bluecoat Chambers on 24th November
Minutes from Volunteer meeting 26/11/09
Maureen welcomed and thanked those
present for attending.
Those present introduced themselves and their role.
Staffs updates
Maureen informed the group that Helen
Munnerly has left the organisation and introduced a new member of staff Alec Hughes.
Alec informed the group of his role to promote and raise awareness of Neurosupport and its services via GP’s and hospitals. Maureen informed the group that Alec’s role is for three days per week and is funded through the European Social Fund. Hayley from Alzheimer’s is also leaving on 11th December.
The next volunteer induction is scheduled for Tuesday 9th February 2010.
Volunteers requested that all new volunteer names and pictures should be added to the blue folder on reception.
Tenants should also remember to give names of visitors to reception.
Volunteers are reminded they can ask staff to sign in and out whenever they leave or enter the building if they (the staff) forget. Moving the red dots on the white board should also be reminded
Training to be organised for the coming year is First Aid, Diversity, Disability Awareness and Food hygiene. Phone training will need to wait until the new system is in place. Reception volunteers asked for a dummy phone so they can start to familiarise themselves with the unit. Carolyn to see what she can organise.
Health and Safety meeting will be tagged onto the end of the next
volunteer meeting.
A.O.B. Maureen informed the group of the application to be linked next year with Radio Merseyside, she will report back if we get any further in the process.
A meeting of the fundraising group will be brought together soon.
Next meeting date is planned for Monday 22nd February 2009. 12:30pm for Lunch. Meeting 1-3pm
Our Christmas dinner
As you can see we all made it,
those who were able to, of course.
WHO’S NEXT?- To all volunteers, the new, and the not so new. If you would care to write about yourself and how you came to be a volunteer. We would like to feature you in the next or future editions of Neuro News. You can contact me either by leaving something at reception or send to my email address (see page 1 for details).
Senior moments!
Three old guys are out walking. First one says, 'Windy, isn't it?' Second one says, 'No, it's Thursday!' Third one says, 'So am I. Let's go get a beer..'
A man was telling his neighbor, 'I just bought a new hearing aid. It cost me four
thousand dollars, but it's state of the art.. It's perfect.' 'Really,' answered the neighbor . 'What kind is it?' 'Twelve thirty..'
Disclaimer-The opinions expressed in this newsletter are personal and do not reflect the opinions of Neurosupport
