this picture applies to the Geoff Shaw article This next one is the new volunteers at the induction
NEXT VOLUNTEERS MEETING10.30am-12.30 lunch at 12.30 SEE PAGE 3 FOR DETAILS
!!!!!WE HAVE CHANGED IT TO A MORNING MEETING!!!!!!!
WHERE HAVE MY LEGS GONE?
As I sat, in a very long queue of cars, (a journey that took me about 50 minutes instead of the normal 20) on my way to the centre for my first and last visit to date of this (it being 4th January 2010) New Year, looking at the joy of school children, running around laughing and throwing snowballs at each other as they waited for the bus to come. I asked myself a question “ Where have my legs gone”?. By that I mean, where have the legs of my youth gone?. I know I had them when I started out. My youth and the ability to stand upright on both my legs seems to have been lost in the transition from youth to man & now to senior (at least I can get on the bus for free and reductions for certain events). I do now use a walking stick for long walks (but don’t use a stick on the ice they say, as the stick will slip.) that normally involve shopping for things, I know not what, but I usually go along for the ride, as I drive the car.
Driving a car, now that’s something we can take for granted, but not in this weather. I write this on 8th January after being housebound for the last few days, with the roads and the pavements seeming to be stuck in an ice age. Although I did venture out today with the old fix of putting socks over my shoes (told you I was a senior or old age pensioner) it seemed to work and for a short time I managed to stay upright and didn’t fall on my journey for food and papers. I was able to use my pass on the buses, that now seem to be running, unlike my car, which I thought I would start, with a quick turn, and yes! you’ve guessed it, the engine made it, but for only 1 cough and then died. The funeral will be next week. However, I will wait till Monday, 11th January and get that man in a van to come and help, with what I assume is only the battery. Am I getting to the age, were I must make sure that I’m covered for everything that might breakdown, TV, fridge, car washer etc? Speaking of washers, the pipe outside, that takes the water away from the washer, froze and as a consequence when the washer came to drain the water, YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GET WELL SOON - MALCOLM HAWKINS & AMEENA ROBERTS
TWO OF OUR VOLUNTEERS WHO HAVE NOT BEEN WELL LATELY. WE WISH THEM A QUICK RECOVERY AND HOPE THEY RETURN TO GOOD HEALTH SOON.
A VOLUNTERS STORY- GEOFFREY SHAW
My name is Geoffrey Shaw and I first started my working life in 1977, as a stockbroker at a firm based in Tithebarn Street, Liverpool City Centre. Where I worked for 10 years before moving, with my firm down to the perils of the deep south, London after they had merged with another broker. Not long after moving, I joined another broker where I stayed until March 2002. Then I returned to Liverpool, to look after my father, who was having some difficulties with his mobility. I was my father’s carer until he passed away in June 2008.
As a friend and neighbour of Brenda Purvis, who works in accounts, I was talking to her about Neurosupport and realised that perhaps I could help and become a volunteer myself. She put me in touch with Maureen and I started my induction into becoming a volunteer on 21st October 2009. I enjoy being part of a team that can make a difference to people’s lives. Even though I had only been volunteering for a few weeks, I made the Christmas lunch and met a lot more volunteers on the day. Here is a picture of me, I am the one on the left with David, Jackie and Marie. I enjoy most sports and play crown green bowls and for my sins support Everton FC. GEOFFREY SHAW
VOLUNTEERS INDUCTION COURSE— 9th FEBRUARY
A quick picture of our very latest volunteers who attended the induction course today. We went through communication skills, good/ bad service, diversity and a short history of how we came to be, along with other items and with a talk from members of staff and their role in the centre. Maureen even managed to finish on time.
So from left to right Natalie, Alex, Sharon, Jane, Stella, Margaret and David.
So if you see them around introduce yourselves and see you all at the next volunteers meeting details below Start at 10.30am new time check the white board on reception
Volunteer Meeting Agenda - Monday 22nd February 2010 NEW START TIME
1. Start at 10.30 am Welcome and introductions.
2. Staff update/move.
3. Fundraising.
4. Health and Safety- Chris Wall to show a DVD and do evac chair training
5. Building alterations.
6. New Telephones and telephone training.
7. Christmas party.
8. Volunteer week /carers’ week
9. Training for 2010.
10. Any other business/ next meeting Thursday 29th April (1.00 - 3.00pm)
On 3rd December 2009, for the first time that I can remember, we had our Christmas party away from Neurosupport in a restaurant, at what was the Chung Ku, now the City Rendezvous down at the Brunswick Dock, Liverpool. I along with the rest of the volunteers went for a less traditional Christmas dinner and enjoyed a Christmas ‘Chinese style’ meal although alternatives were on offer and looking at the size of Ronnie’s steak and chips, I wonder where he put it all, what a generous portion. We were all made very welcome, a big thank you to Christina with her contacts and another big thank you to all the staff who looked after us. Did we all enjoy ourselves? As you can see from the photos, we kept some of the old favourites, a quiz, a raffle and for the first time a Secret Santa. Oh! Diane, the idea is that you don't know who bought you the present, and to include your name on the card is a bit of a give away, but thank you for the thought, it is in Sally’s purse as I type. Although it was good to get away, it must be said that not all the staff from the centre could be involved as much, as it would have meant closing the centre for the time of the lunch. Some did make it though, as you can see from the pictures, Maureen, Gerry and Carolyn joined us. Maybe we should alternate the venues, the centre one year and an outside venue the next. I think this might be up for discussion at the next volunteers meeting, or if not this one, then somewhere along the year, we will have to think about that time of year again. Maybe this time we can get our act together to organise a team for the Santa dash 2010 anyone who is interested let me know? Alan Clark.
or check out our website http://neuronewsletterspart1.blogspot.com/
You can also find the link through the Neurosupport website
Disclaimer-The opinions expressed in this newsletter are
personal and do not reflect the opinions of Neurosupport
