January / February 2010 Issue 13 NEWSLETTER

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 4^th 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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!again you have guessed right, water cannot go down a frozen pipe, so back it came into the utility room. As luck would have it, Sally had just come down to make another cup of tea, (do we all drink lot’s of tea in the cold?) she was checking the washer, when water started to land on the floor and turned the washer off in time to prevent a flood that Noah would have been proud of, so one more thing to fix, but that’s easy I hope hot water down the frozen pipe can solve the problem, watch this space or our website. The last time I looked, there was another forecast of more snow and ice, I wonder where it will all end, but by time you read this it may all seem a distant memory and by then I might have found my legs. I did fix the pipe not as easy as I thought Alan Clark

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 21^st 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 22^nd 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)

Just a reminder for people who didn’t know we have our very own Poet Laureate in the guise of Gordon.W.Milward of Sefton Parish who is still selling his book “Days of Hope” which was published last year and launched at our Annual review 2009 way back in October. It's around 12 months ago that Gordon and myself pictured sat on a sofa in Neurosupport and came up with the idea that is now the book so you can realise your dreams. It is still on sale now for the knock down price of £3.00, yes it is the same price and all the money goes to charity, Parkinson's, Neurosupport and the Walton Centre. So if you know anyone who likes poetry this is the book for you. Yes that is Gordon and myself in ties the official photo at the Walton Centre in November last year don’t we scrub up well or maybe not.

OUR CHRISTMAS PARTY 2009

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.

CONTACT DETAILS: email to alan.clark200@hotmail.com

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

WHERE HAVE I BEEN

This last month have been a difficult one for myself trying as always to fit in too many things that go on.
As life gets back to normal after the snow that descended upon us only a few weeks ago that brought the whole country it seemed to a standstill, How is life in Neurosupport well it seems that we are being altered again, upstairs this time trying to make maximum use of the space we have and also using a grant that we were given to make some alterations, so watch this space as i will put on the before and after photos of the work in progress and of course the finished article.
Hope everyone enjoyed the Christmas and new year and are ready to face what this year has to hold for us all.
We will be having an induction for more volunteers soon 9th February and a volunteers meeting 22nd February so I hope to see you all there

Malcolm Hawkins and Ameena Roberts
Just a quick get well for two of our volunteers who have not been well lately and we wish them a quick recovery and hope they return to good health soon

NEURO NEWS— NEWSLETTER November / December 09 Issue 12

You need to work out where all the pictures go call it a quiz for Christmas

Have a good one

Well 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

CHRISTMAS PARTY 09

On Thursday 3rd December for the first time that I can remember we had our Christmas party at a resturant away from Neurosupport at what was was the Chung Ku now City Rendevous down at the Brunswick Dock.

Did we all enjoy ourselves? As you can see from the pictures we kept some of the old favourites, a quiz, a raffle and for the first time a Secret Santa and Diane the idea is that you don't know who bought you the present not to include your name on the card is a bit of a give away.

Christmas

Yes it's that time of year when we all let out well whatever we each do to let out or let in but that's later at the end of the year when we all join hands and sing a song I never worked out why that one I digress

At Neurosupport yesterday we had our final arrangements for our Christmas Dinner away for the very first time from the centre. Let's hope it all works out

Will the man on the left have that much trouble when he arrives at your house? i hope so as this is that time to be generous with our selves and our time

Hope to see you all on the day next Thursday that is pictures will be taken and posted so enjoy

A letter

From the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Works and Pensions Jonathan Shaw MP
It's not an everyday occurrence when someone writes to you with such a title, but Jonathan Shaw MP who was at our Annual review 14th October, took the time to write to write a small thank you note when I sold him a book Days of Hope by Gordon Milward and talked at some length to him about how it all came about.
I hope everyone is looking forward to our Christmas lunch that is not too far away on 3rd December. it will be our first time away from the centre so I hope it all goes well.
A bit before that is our next volunteers meeting 26thNovember where we talk about the lunch and arrangements.

Annual review 14/10/09 at Neurosupport

ANNUAL REVIEW 14TH OCTOBER 2009 AT NEUROSUPPORT

The annual review came this year and for me a time for me to at last do the thing I have been working on for the last now 8 months along with Gordon W. Milward, introduce Gordon and his book “Days of Hope” a book of poems for anyone who doesn’t know out there.
On the day itself I managed to be signing people in the building and making sure all that everyone knew where they were going and who they had to see, just a normal role of “Meeter and Greeter”
The week had started well as we went off to Radio Merseyside with Gordon and his wife Brenda Sally and I being walked through the station to meet the presenters and I think the talk went well for us on the night with Gordon reading from his soon to be published book.
Tuesday came and the call we both had been waiting for that the book was ready to collect from the printer, were we pleased when saw how the book has turned out we could not have wished for better.
I had written an introduction for Gordon for me to read out on Wednesday which I think took longer than the whole afternoon. I didn’t want to miss anyone out who had helped us on our way so I have included it!!

It is my pleasure to introduce Gordon Milward reading from his poetry book “Days of Hope” but first a little background as to how we come to be here today.
Around February this year Gordon and myself sat outside in the foyer talking, if I remember right about nothing in particular when Gordon raised the subject of his poetry and how he would like to leave something behind when he left this earth, by that he meant publishing his poems in a book, his dream. At the time I thought it would be a good idea to help him do this, as I had had some experience in getting a grant for a support group,” how hard can it be getting a book published” As an ex licensee and Gordon, an ex fitter welder we had lots of experience in book publishing. Didn’t we!
We would be told in August that Gordon’s poetry “does not appear to have an artistic track record” by The Arts Council after first appearing in April that we could apply for a grant from them.
As part of the grant we had to supply 10% of the total cost of publishing the book, with quotes that ranged from £6500 to £2500, I put my thoughts to raising that money. As part of that Neurosupport via Maureen Kelly, clients, volunteers and staff walked through the Mersey Tunnel on 19th July and raised around £1500 towards Neurosupport and to help Gordon realise his dream, so thank you to everyone who sponsored us, walked or were involved. I also asked for help from the WCNN via Karen Dawber director of nursing and Louise Douglas head of Marketing and Communications who said that they would help with some funds, as well as the Parkinson’s Central branch Liverpool the committee and Brenda Carson, the chairperson who said they would also help with funds. So now we had 3 partners in our little venture, the plan was coming together, how could we fail?
After the rejection from The Arts Council I sent the 2 page proposal that I had put together to various people in the hope that we would get some help. One of those people is sitting in this room today, Dave Ward of the Windows project who to say has helped us a lot is an understatement.
The Windows Project, Nothing to do with Microsoft! by the way, The Windows Project has been making poetry fun, helping children to start writing and providing support and advice for poetry writing by and with all ages and abilities as an everyday activity since 1976.

We first met Dave in early August with Gordon’s poems in a file; he gave us lots of advice on the layout, contents and how it should be done. He also put us in touch with Colin Molyneux and Ian Whittaker of Graphic Print in Liverpool. When we first met Colin and Ian I knew we were in safe hands after talking to them both. Colin with Ian’s help, put together a quote that to say is cheap is an understatement but helping the community is also one of Colin’s aims so thank you to all 3 of you Dave, Colin, Ian, not forgetting Neurosupport,The Walton Centre, the Liverpool central Branch of Parkinson’s along with Sian Roberts of Parkinson’s HQ who helped us get the quote from Ray Kennedy the ex Liverpool player who played from 1974-1982 who himself was diagnosed with Parkinson’s aged 35, this quote appears on the front of the book. “Gordon’s poems are an inspiring insight into his experiences with Parkinson’s. I wish him well on his Journey”
A couple of other people to thank are Gordon’s doctor at the WCNN, a Dr Steiger, Consultant Neurologist and Simon Curran Honorary Lecturer in Physiotherapy of Liverpool University who both wrote the introductions for the book.
It has been a rocky road in lots of places and now we know a bit more about paper and books than we did before. The book “Days of Hope” will be on sale after the meeting for £3.00 with all the money raised going to charity, which is all the 3 partners involved as well as “The Ray of Hope Appeal”
Well here we are with the man himself our very own poet laureate Gordon Milward reading from his very own book of poems “Days of Hope” his dream now realised.
The meeting seemed to go in a moment where I was still sitting outside when all the speakers were on so I managed to miss most, apart from the Q&A from the floor when Jonathan Shaw MP
At the meeting which was attended by Jonathan Shaw MP, Minister for Disability who was giving a talk on Access to Work programme and the Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Mike Storey CBE. I managed to talk to the minister at length about the book and how it came to be published and he now has a copy along with Mike Storey, the deputy Mayor of Wirral along with Julia Denham of the Care Quality Commission another speaker.
Then we went on to the poetry and reading from Julia and Stella followed by yours truly and the speech that seemed to go on.

So now that journey for us both has finished me to sleep and gordon has now left something behind on this earth.

ALL WE HAVE TO DO NOW IS SELL THEM

OUR NEXT PROJECT IS SANTA AND HIS DASHING THROUGH THE SNOW WELL AROUND THE STREETS OF LIVERPOOL BUT IT'S FOR A GOOD CAUSE