Tuesday 28 June 2011
CARERS DAY THE OTHER WEEK
ASS YOU CAN SEE JAN HELPED OUT WITH OTHERS ON THE DAY WHICH WAS WELL ATTENDED A FEW MORE PICTURES OF THE DAY 
Tuesday 14 June 2011
PHOTOS AND THINGS
ROYAL WEDDING STREET PARTY 29 APRIL 2011
On Friday 29 April 2011 Prince William married Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey and Elmwood Avenue in Crosby held a street party to celebrate and join in their celebrations.
A group of the neighbours got together and held a series of meetings to decide what was going to happen on the day. First, permission had to be sought from the local council to close the road to traffic and this was given in due course. All the residents were asked if they wanted to be part of it and with just a few exceptions most of the road were glad to join in. We were kept informed of the progress made at each stage by a newsletter. The ‘committee’ bought tablecloths and bunting and all the necessary items out of a small contribution from each household and it was decided to have bouncy castles and games for the children to go on during the course of the day. On the evening before some of the men were asked to put the bunting up between the numerous trees in our road and hoped that it was not too windy for it to blow away before the morning. Lots of rosettes in red, white and blue were also put on the tree branches and as I write, there is still evidence of some of them still around.
On the ‘day’ the residents had to put their cars in the surrounding roads, to keep the road clear for the tables and chairs. The party did not officially start until after the Wedding was over to give everyone a chance to watch the service on the television, although the majority audience was mainly women! The tables, mostly pasting tables, were covered in union jack tablecloths and decorations, and many a cake and drink was blown on to the floor by the wind. All the children looked as if they were having a good time and we all met neighbours we had never seen before or only knew by sight. I have lived in Elmwood Avenue for 18 years, so it was lovely to meet them. During the day there were 2 bouncy castles, one at each end of the road and a notice board with a timetable to tell the children when their activities were starting, such as football games etc. We also had a rock band courtesy of the son of our immediate neighbours.
Most of the neighbours had got into the spirit of it all and the front drives were full of garden tables and chairs, barbecues and garden awnings, as there was a bit of a chilly wind. My family also came to the party, although the small babies did not know what was going on. The local newspaper came along to take a photograph, but I had just taken my granddaughter for a walk to get her to sleep when they came, so I missed my moment in the newspaper as did baby Emma, so baby Dylan had his moment in the paper – not me!
As it got dark, we lit the cheminea and lots of people came to warm themselves by it and the rock music grew louder! As you can imagine the adults began to take over for the evening and a good time was had by all, dancing in the street and karaoke and even dancing on the garden walls, which all seem to have survived quite well. The road was re-opened for traffic at midnight.
There were lots of headaches, tired faces and hangovers the next morning as the clearing up began. As with all good occasions it was sad to see everything almost back to normal very quickly. I wonder if the next celebration will be for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee – I have saved all the flags and bunting – just in case we do it all over again. I wish to thank all the neighbours who made it happen.
AND YES I DID GET IT RIGHT ALTHOUGH I SEEM TO HAVE LOST A PHOTO I USED OF A BOY AND A CAKE SO NEARLY MAYBE
Monday 13 June 2011
NEURO NEWS MAY/JUNE 2011 ISSUE 20
This was the original version the new amended gives more information about the next stage of the review
FUNDRAISING TO KEEP US ALIVE?
You may be aware that Neurosupport is going through some difficult times. At the end of March, we lost 2 members of staff from the Neurolife section of Working Life as funding came to an end. The Department of Health grant, of around £260,000, was awarded in March 2008, to help people in their recovery and possible return to work, by providing access to a variety of courses. I remember when we first got the grant, as we were facing a similar difficult time regards jobs and funding, and this is the short announcement that went in our very first Neuro News.
“I have some good news! Neurosupport have been awarded a grant from the Dept of Health to fund our ‘Neurological Lifestyles’ Programme for 3 years. (To become Neurolife) As you will be aware we have been running the confidence building courses art, tai -chi, drama etc for some time but on a shoestring budget. We now have the opportunity to develop the programme with a view at the end of the 3 years to being able to demonstrate that the programme is effective and make a business case so that we can be paid for running the programme. The funding will enable us to appoint a new member of staff to work with the Working Life Team and preparations are already underway to recruit that person.” Maureen Kelly.
I write this, 3 years later, and we are again facing difficult times. We await the results of a review undertaken on instructions from the trustees. The firm involved has spoken to all members of staff, volunteers and the people who use the centre in order to compile a report/review. The trustees will meet to view this review on 11th May. The recommendations of this much awaited report, will dictate the way for the centre’s future and are due to be made public towards the end of May. So by the time you read this “all as they say will be revealed”, but not I hope, in a Tommy Cooper way (an old magician for those too young to know him) . Some of the blame must lie in the hands of the bankers (see page 3 for the solution to our financial troubles) who have caused the financial meltdown that has resulted in the tightening of belts and the need to find different ways of doing things. Fundraising and room hire will certainly help Neurosupport and the people who use our services in the difficult times ahead, but the way people hire our rooms may have indirectly been affected, so if you belong to a support group or know of anyone who may need to hire a room pass them on to Chris Wall who will be able to help, at very reasonable rates of course! Alan Clark.
********************************************
STOP PRESS
The trustees have accepted the report from the review with lots of positives and Adrienne is going to draw up an outline business plan for the future.
FUNDRAISING TO KEEP US ALIVE- PART 2
So! how can we, as volunteers, help Neurosupport to find some of the money needed? As part of the fund-raising committee myself, I am aware of several things which will allow us to help, attend, spread the word about and generally get involved. The first would be to donate items for our (now) monthly raffle (see below). During the past months the raffles we have held, have proved very successful. In Brain Awareness Week, at our tea party for the young persons group around £360 was raised and the recent Easter egg raffle raised approx £100, so as you can see from some effort in selling raffle tickets and by donating those unwanted gifts, in a couple of months we raised nearly £500, hence the reason for the monthly raffles. Other things that you might like to get involved in to help out Neurocinema street, store collecting, DAD in Warrington and of course out Brain Bike Ride 3rd September. Check our latest edition of Glance.
Our ’Race Night’ on 20th May, also helped raise some money. Thanks to the staff and volunteers who had a hand in the organising this event. I have devoted most of the news about the race night to pictures and a few chosen words from some the sponsors (mainly yourselves) on the night, these comments ranged from “I need to get another loan” to “never again” but in all seriousness we did manage to raise around £1100 that evening, according to Geoff at least half came from him, so well done to everyone who went, helped and generally joined in. Tracy who works in the kitchen on a Tuesday had a great time, as did Liz and Wendy. I did hear that the man who won 1 race put his winnings back in the pot so to speak and at £90 that is a good pot to put his money in, so a big thank you to him. Check our very own website http://neuronewsletterspart1.blogspot.com/ for other pictures and more of Liz’s story.
THE FIX OF ALL ILLS
Dear Mr. Cameron,
Consider the following plan, as my suggestion for fixing England’s economy : You can call it the Patriotic Retirement Plan or Big Society Plan if you like.
There are about 10 million people over 50 in the work force. Pay them £1million each severance pay for early retirement with the following stipulations:
They MUST retire. Ten million job openings– unemployment fixed.
They MUST buy a new British car. Ten million cars ordered– car industry fixed.
They MUST either buy a house or pay off their mortgage– housing crisis fixed.
They MUST send their kids to school/college/university— crime rate fixed.
They MUST buy £100 worth of alcohol/tobacco a week…..and there is your money back in duty/tax etc. Cheers!
**********************************************
Our own Queen Liz and a ‘Right Royal’ Wedding party
On Friday, 29th April 2011, Prince William married Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey and to celebrate, Elmwood Avenue in Crosby held a street party to join in their special day. On the ‘day’, residents had to put their cars in the surrounding roads, to keep the road clear for the tables and chairs. The party did not officially start until after the wedding was over, to give everyone a chance to watch the service on the television, although the majority audience was mainly women! Most of the neighbours had gotten into the spirit of the day, the front drives were full of garden tables, chairs, barbecues and garden awnings, as there was a bit of a chilly wind. The tables, mostly pasting tables, were covered in union jack tablecloths, decorations, and many a cake and drink was blown onto the floor by the wind. During the day there were 2 bouncy castles, one at each end of the road and a notice board with a timetable to tell the children when their activities were starting, such as football games etc. We also had a rock band courtesy of the son of our immediate neighbours. All the children looked as if they were having a good time and we all met neighbours we had never seen before or only knew by sight. I have lived in Elmwood Ave for 18 years, so it was lovely to meet them all.
My family also came to the party, although the small babies did not know what was going on. The local newspaper came along to take a photograph, but I had just taken my granddaughter for a walk to get her to sleep, so I missed my moment in the newspaper as did baby Emma, so baby Dylan had his moment in the paper – but not me!
There were lots of headaches, tired faces and hangovers the next morning as the clearing up began. As with all good occasions it was sad to see everything almost back to normal very quickly. I wonder if the next celebration will be for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012 – I have saved all the flags and bunting – just in case we do it all over again. I wish to thank all the neighbours who made it happen. Liz Tunnicliffe.
A VOLUNTEERS STORY - Liz Tunnicliffe
My name is Liz Tunnicliffe and I am a volunteer at Neurosupport, working at the reception desk.
On 20th September 2006 I had a CVA, (cerebrovascular accident) which caused a blood clot in my brain. This had followed a year in which I was in hospital on numerous occasions and would eventually be diagnosed with chronic kidney disease. At approximately 9.00am, the CVA happened, fortunately Harry, my husband, came home shortly afterwards and I was rushed by ambulance to Aintree University Hospital. Dr Sharma and the stroke team met the ambulance at the door, I was given an MRI scan and was a suitable candidate for the clot busting drug (this drug cannot be given if it had been a bleed on the brain, but mine was a clot) and fortunately I was within the 3 hour window for the drug to be administered. I write this from what I have been told happened.
Whilst initially I made a good recovery, I think because I was so pleased that I had survived the stroke, but the reality soon set in and there were still many issues to be addressed. I had been badly affected by emotional liability and it would be a long time before I was able to cope with this side of the stroke and I am still dealing with it. I had a lot of support from the Family Liaison Officer from the Stroke Association. I remember he once said to me, as I was recovering, ‘The first time he saw me he was reminded of a little wounded bird and gradually he began to see the changes in me’. His help was invaluable. I had physiotherapy, speech therapy (to help my speech and swallow), which I still have issues about. I had good support and encouragement from Harry, my family, friends and also members of the team at Neurosupport. A year later in 2007, I had to have a pacemaker fitted. Sadly I had to give up my job, as a medical secretary, as I would have found it to difficult to cope and this took me quite a while to accept. I have a different life now but try to always remain positive and look to new challenges without exerting myself too much. I look forward to a good future especially now that Harry and I have 2 lovely grandchildren.
Liz Tunnicliffe. 12th May 2011.
***********************************
STOP PRESS 2
Joe Paton and friends who walked from Southport to the Walton Centre on 17th March raised over £1000- what a wonderful achievement, a big thank you to all involved.
Disclaimer-The opinions expressed in this newsletter are personal and do not reflect the opinions of Neurosupport
FUNDRAISING TO KEEP US ALIVE?
You may be aware that Neurosupport is going through some difficult times. At the end of March, we lost 2 members of staff from the Neurolife section of Working Life as funding came to an end. The Department of Health grant, of around £260,000, was awarded in March 2008, to help people in their recovery and possible return to work, by providing access to a variety of courses. I remember when we first got the grant, as we were facing a similar difficult time regards jobs and funding, and this is the short announcement that went in our very first Neuro News.
“I have some good news! Neurosupport have been awarded a grant from the Dept of Health to fund our ‘Neurological Lifestyles’ Programme for 3 years. (To become Neurolife) As you will be aware we have been running the confidence building courses art, tai -chi, drama etc for some time but on a shoestring budget. We now have the opportunity to develop the programme with a view at the end of the 3 years to being able to demonstrate that the programme is effective and make a business case so that we can be paid for running the programme. The funding will enable us to appoint a new member of staff to work with the Working Life Team and preparations are already underway to recruit that person.” Maureen Kelly.
I write this, 3 years later, and we are again facing difficult times. We await the results of a review undertaken on instructions from the trustees. The firm involved has spoken to all members of staff, volunteers and the people who use the centre in order to compile a report/review. The trustees will meet to view this review on 11th May. The recommendations of this much awaited report, will dictate the way for the centre’s future and are due to be made public towards the end of May. So by the time you read this “all as they say will be revealed”, but not I hope, in a Tommy Cooper way (an old magician for those too young to know him) . Some of the blame must lie in the hands of the bankers (see page 3 for the solution to our financial troubles) who have caused the financial meltdown that has resulted in the tightening of belts and the need to find different ways of doing things. Fundraising and room hire will certainly help Neurosupport and the people who use our services in the difficult times ahead, but the way people hire our rooms may have indirectly been affected, so if you belong to a support group or know of anyone who may need to hire a room pass them on to Chris Wall who will be able to help, at very reasonable rates of course! Alan Clark.
********************************************
STOP PRESS
The trustees have accepted the report from the review with lots of positives and Adrienne is going to draw up an outline business plan for the future.
FUNDRAISING TO KEEP US ALIVE- PART 2
So! how can we, as volunteers, help Neurosupport to find some of the money needed? As part of the fund-raising committee myself, I am aware of several things which will allow us to help, attend, spread the word about and generally get involved. The first would be to donate items for our (now) monthly raffle (see below). During the past months the raffles we have held, have proved very successful. In Brain Awareness Week, at our tea party for the young persons group around £360 was raised and the recent Easter egg raffle raised approx £100, so as you can see from some effort in selling raffle tickets and by donating those unwanted gifts, in a couple of months we raised nearly £500, hence the reason for the monthly raffles. Other things that you might like to get involved in to help out Neurocinema street, store collecting, DAD in Warrington and of course out Brain Bike Ride 3rd September. Check our latest edition of Glance.
Our ’Race Night’ on 20th May, also helped raise some money. Thanks to the staff and volunteers who had a hand in the organising this event. I have devoted most of the news about the race night to pictures and a few chosen words from some the sponsors (mainly yourselves) on the night, these comments ranged from “I need to get another loan” to “never again” but in all seriousness we did manage to raise around £1100 that evening, according to Geoff at least half came from him, so well done to everyone who went, helped and generally joined in. Tracy who works in the kitchen on a Tuesday had a great time, as did Liz and Wendy. I did hear that the man who won 1 race put his winnings back in the pot so to speak and at £90 that is a good pot to put his money in, so a big thank you to him. Check our very own website http://neuronewsletterspart1.blogspot.com/ for other pictures and more of Liz’s story.
THE FIX OF ALL ILLS
Dear Mr. Cameron,
Consider the following plan, as my suggestion for fixing England’s economy : You can call it the Patriotic Retirement Plan or Big Society Plan if you like.
There are about 10 million people over 50 in the work force. Pay them £1million each severance pay for early retirement with the following stipulations:
They MUST retire. Ten million job openings– unemployment fixed.
They MUST buy a new British car. Ten million cars ordered– car industry fixed.
They MUST either buy a house or pay off their mortgage– housing crisis fixed.
They MUST send their kids to school/college/university— crime rate fixed.
They MUST buy £100 worth of alcohol/tobacco a week…..and there is your money back in duty/tax etc. Cheers!
**********************************************
Our own Queen Liz and a ‘Right Royal’ Wedding party
On Friday, 29th April 2011, Prince William married Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey and to celebrate, Elmwood Avenue in Crosby held a street party to join in their special day. On the ‘day’, residents had to put their cars in the surrounding roads, to keep the road clear for the tables and chairs. The party did not officially start until after the wedding was over, to give everyone a chance to watch the service on the television, although the majority audience was mainly women! Most of the neighbours had gotten into the spirit of the day, the front drives were full of garden tables, chairs, barbecues and garden awnings, as there was a bit of a chilly wind. The tables, mostly pasting tables, were covered in union jack tablecloths, decorations, and many a cake and drink was blown onto the floor by the wind. During the day there were 2 bouncy castles, one at each end of the road and a notice board with a timetable to tell the children when their activities were starting, such as football games etc. We also had a rock band courtesy of the son of our immediate neighbours. All the children looked as if they were having a good time and we all met neighbours we had never seen before or only knew by sight. I have lived in Elmwood Ave for 18 years, so it was lovely to meet them all.
My family also came to the party, although the small babies did not know what was going on. The local newspaper came along to take a photograph, but I had just taken my granddaughter for a walk to get her to sleep, so I missed my moment in the newspaper as did baby Emma, so baby Dylan had his moment in the paper – but not me!
There were lots of headaches, tired faces and hangovers the next morning as the clearing up began. As with all good occasions it was sad to see everything almost back to normal very quickly. I wonder if the next celebration will be for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012 – I have saved all the flags and bunting – just in case we do it all over again. I wish to thank all the neighbours who made it happen. Liz Tunnicliffe.
A VOLUNTEERS STORY - Liz Tunnicliffe
My name is Liz Tunnicliffe and I am a volunteer at Neurosupport, working at the reception desk.
On 20th September 2006 I had a CVA, (cerebrovascular accident) which caused a blood clot in my brain. This had followed a year in which I was in hospital on numerous occasions and would eventually be diagnosed with chronic kidney disease. At approximately 9.00am, the CVA happened, fortunately Harry, my husband, came home shortly afterwards and I was rushed by ambulance to Aintree University Hospital. Dr Sharma and the stroke team met the ambulance at the door, I was given an MRI scan and was a suitable candidate for the clot busting drug (this drug cannot be given if it had been a bleed on the brain, but mine was a clot) and fortunately I was within the 3 hour window for the drug to be administered. I write this from what I have been told happened.
Whilst initially I made a good recovery, I think because I was so pleased that I had survived the stroke, but the reality soon set in and there were still many issues to be addressed. I had been badly affected by emotional liability and it would be a long time before I was able to cope with this side of the stroke and I am still dealing with it. I had a lot of support from the Family Liaison Officer from the Stroke Association. I remember he once said to me, as I was recovering, ‘The first time he saw me he was reminded of a little wounded bird and gradually he began to see the changes in me’. His help was invaluable. I had physiotherapy, speech therapy (to help my speech and swallow), which I still have issues about. I had good support and encouragement from Harry, my family, friends and also members of the team at Neurosupport. A year later in 2007, I had to have a pacemaker fitted. Sadly I had to give up my job, as a medical secretary, as I would have found it to difficult to cope and this took me quite a while to accept. I have a different life now but try to always remain positive and look to new challenges without exerting myself too much. I look forward to a good future especially now that Harry and I have 2 lovely grandchildren.
Liz Tunnicliffe. 12th May 2011.
***********************************
STOP PRESS 2
Joe Paton and friends who walked from Southport to the Walton Centre on 17th March raised over £1000- what a wonderful achievement, a big thank you to all involved.
Disclaimer-The opinions expressed in this newsletter are personal and do not reflect the opinions of Neurosupport
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)