The Parkinson s Disease Society Winter Eastern England Newsletter

The Parkinson’s Disease Society Winter 2009 Eastern England Newsletter The Eastern England Regional Newsletter is produced for committee members, Parkinson’s Disease Nurse Specialists, and health and social care professionals. We aim to improve communication, promote ideas and share good practice. Your feedback and contributions to these pages are very welcome. Please circulate this Newsletter to your committee members Happy New Year to you all, By the time you read this newsletter, our 40th Anniversary year will be underway. What a great opportunity to reflect on how the Society has grown and how much it has achieved in the last 40 years. There is still much to be done to ensure that everyone living with Parkinson’s has access to the information and support to help them to respond positively, every step of the way. But, our progress here in Eastern England in providing information and support across the entire region and expanding our efforts to improve health and social care services, is a very visible sign of how far the Society has come in the last 40 years. This progress has only been possible through the combined efforts of PDS staff at head office and in regional teams and all of our volunteers in branches and support groups across the country. The more that we can work together in raising awareness and promoting the needs of people with Parkinson’s, and in raising the much needed funds to continue our support and research, the more we will be able to achieve in the next 40 years in our quest to see a world free from the effects of Parkinson’s. We have some exciting plans for the Eastern Region this year, not least to increase the membership, raise funds for research and extend our reach into our rural communities. A summary of the 2009 Plan is included in the newsletter, please contact me if you would like to discuss any of our activities or have any suggestions for jointworking. The team and I look forward to working with you in the coming year. Best Wishes Paula Carey Regional Manager Eastern England Contact details Regional Manager Paula Carey pcarey@parkinsons.org.uk 0844 225 3610 Branch and Volunteer Support Officers Lorraine Chilton lchilton@parkinsons.org.uk 0844 225 3615 Sue Vaughan-Williams Svaughan-williams@ parkinsons.org.uk 0844 225 3614 Education Training Officer Debbie Chinman dchinman@parkinsons.org.uk 0844 225 3611 Information Support Manager Julie Woodley jwoodley@parkinsons.org.uk 0844 225 3612 Influence and Service Development Officer Kecia Harris kharris@parkinsons.org.uk 0844 225 3613 Regional Fundraiser Carole Stork cstork@parkinsons.org.uk 0844 225 3730 Information and Support Workers There are 10 Information and Support Workers in post and one more has been appointed. See details on page 3. Contact Julie Woodley for further information: jwoodley@parkinsons.org.uk 0844 225 3612 Charity registered in England and Wales No 258197 and in Scotland No SCO37554. A company limited by guarantee. Registered No. 948776 (London) Registered Office: 215 Vauxhall Bridge Road, London SWIV IEJ 1 Overview of the Eastern England 2009 Regional Plan Influence and Service Development Build on the success of new PDNS appointments in the region, develop steering groups to support, monitor and provide evidence on the value and effectiveness of these specialist posts. Provide training and support to a team of Local Champions to extend the influence we have to improve services in the Region Establish a Regional Advisory Group of health and social care professionals to be consulted on local or national issues Improve Medicine Management in Hospital Trusts and Care and Nursing Homes In conjunction with branches to encourage hospital trusts to adopt ‘GIOT’ Ward Packs and other resources To pilot an e-learning module developed by PDNS at Colchester Hospital Education Deliver a programme of education for health and social care professionals that will ensure an increased understanding of Parkinson’s disease. Targeting GP practises and staff in nursing and care homes Deliver: 20 Open Access Seminar (localities included on page 9), Provide training sessions for individual GP surgeries and other externally commissioned education events. Information and Support Improve access to Information and Support for people with Parkinson’s, with a particular focus this year on rural communities. Six drop-in sessions that will help to establish and promote the ISW role Telephone clinics and workshops Joint working with branch welfare officers, health and social care professionals. Deliver a range of information events in Eastern England including: Rural Information Days Two large PDS Information Days in Huntingdonshire and Felixstowe, venues to be confirmed. Younger Person’s Event in Suffolk Carer’s Day Three Joint Neuro-Study Events in Colchester, West Hertfordshire and West Norfolk. Branch & Volunteer Support Volunteers Ensure that volunteers are supported effectively to enable them to carry out their volunteering role Provide effective guidance and support to branch volunteers to ensure good governance Deliver comprehensive induction training to all new volunteers Deliver specialist training to Chairpersons and Treasurers where required Branch Network Build on the existing branch support network, ensure good communication and encourage joint-working. This will be achieved through the day to day provision of information and support Organisation of three Branch Forums Facilitation of county meetings, which will give branches and groups the opportunity to discuss common issues and joint working. 2 Information and Support Workers Eastern Region Name & contact details of ISW Emily Avery 0844 225 3617 eavery@parkinsons.org.uk Viv Keys 0844 225 3777 vkeys@parkinsons.org.uk Area covered PCT area Peterborough (part of Fenland inc Whittlesey and Wisbech) Huntingdonshire (part of Fenland incl March and Chatteris) and South Cambs Peterborough/Cambridgeshire Cambridgeshire Glynis Brookman East Cambridgeshire, part of 0844 225 3618 South Cambridgeshire City gbrookman@parkinsons.org.uk of Cambridge and parts of Newmarket Cambridgeshire Commencing early Februay All of Suffolk Suffolk Jennifer Scott 0844 225 3796 jscott@parkinsons.org.uk Tracey Tucker 0844 225 3779 ttucker@parkinsons.org.uk Norfolk and Great Yarmouth and Waveney Norfolk, Great Yarmouth and Waveney West Hertfordshire Inc St Albans, Dacorum, Watford and Three Rivers, Hertsmere West Hertfordshire Vicky Symonds 0844 225 3775 vsymonds@parkinsons.org.uk North East Hertfordshire, Broxbourne, East Herts, North Herts, Welwyn Hatfield, Stevenage East and North Hertfordshire Jackie Kennedy Jkennedy@parkinsons.org.uk 0844 225 3795 Gill Salt 0844 225 3616 gsalt@parkinsons.org.uk Carol Jacobs 0844 225 3778 cjacobs@parkinsons.org.uk Lisa Mahoney 0844 225 3788 lmahoney@parkinsons.org.uk Bedfordshire and Luton Bedfordshire and Luton Teaching Braintree and Colchester North East Essex and Mid Essex Tendring, Maldon and Chelmsford, Uttlesford, Harlow and Epping Billericay, Brentwood and Wickford, Thurrock, Basildon, Castle Point, Rochford North East Essex and Mid Essex West Essex South West Essex, South East Essex 3 Thurrock Support Group Success The discussion groups gave us time to rush around serving refreshments—luckily I always over cater! PDNS Sam spoke about her role; Alex Smart from Disability Information Advice Line Essex gave one-to-one Benefits advice; and Linda Lucker talked about Direct Payments. By the end of the meeting there was a unanimous vote to continue with the group— their enthusiasm was overwhelming and I had a list of volunteers willing to take on roles—an ideal committee. The second meeting took place less than a month later and several new members attended, thanks to an article in the Thurrock Gazette. Membership forms were distributed, enabling those not already members of the PDS to complete them. I’m pleased that committee members attended a volunteer induction and volunteer packs taken home will prove to be a good reference source. Monthly meetings have continued and the group has now outgrown its venue! The first meeting in their new venue was held in January and fundraising is progressing well, with a collection arranged during Parkinson’s Awareness Week. From left to right: , Elaine Nash, Doreen Lang, George Lang, Megan Norquay, PDNS Sam Spillane n October 2006 I organised an Information Day at the Beehive in Grays, Essex, which was very well attended. I kept a record of people who expressed an interest in starting a support group, together with details of enquiries that I had since received. Keeping these records proved invaluable when I finally had time to support a group in this area. Following the Information Day I kept in touch with PDNS Helen Rudkins and the physiotherapists and occupational therapists at Thurrock Day Hospital, where there is an active Parkinsons Clinic. Megan Norquay, Team Leader/Falls Co-ordinator, Thurrock Day Hospital contacted me offering help with setting up a support group and we arranged a date for the I first meeting on 10 September 2008. I sent invitations to those on my database, PDS members, GP practices, hospitals and local organisations, and advertised widely. PDNS Sam Spillane and Megan also handed out invitations to people attending clinics . It’s always a worry on the day as to how many will actually turn up and I was very grateful for the help of Brentwood Branch volunteers Vicki Rasmussen and Paul Crighton. The meeting started at 10.30 and by 10am a queue was forming. Vicki lost count at 48 people— altogether over 50 turned up! Luckily I had an agenda, which included topics for discussion and people split up into smaller groups to talk. 4 In addition, evening meetings have been arranged and future events include: a beetle drive, bingo, quizzes, and a coach outing to Romford Dogs Well done everyone and thank you. Lorraine Chilton St John Ambulance HQ, 97 London Road, Grays, Essex RM17 5YB First Thursday in month 10.30am-12.30pm Luton Branch On 10 October 2008 Luton Branch held their annual dinner—this year celebrating their 25th anniversary. The event was tinged with sadness as the Chairperson and Secretary, Joan White and Treasurer, Maureen Frith announced that they were standing down after 25 years’ dedicated service to the Branch that Joan formed with her cousin Brenda and Maureen back in 1983. Nicki Ward, Joan White, Maureen Frith and Lorraine Chilton Many friends enjoyed the evening including Mary Baker, whose wonderful, moving speech left people laughing and crying. More celebrations were in order at the Christmas party on 12 December when the committee invited their previous CSW, Nicki Ward, to join in the farewells to Joan and Maureen. A big thank you to Joan and Maureen, who have helped so many people over the past 25 years - and thank you to everyone who made both events so special. Lorraine Chilton 5 Branch and Volunteer Support Eastern Region (North) ere we are in 2009 – where does the time go? Last year was a busy one – everyone getting to grips with Support for All and the changes and challenges it brought. So, my main focus this year will be on building solid relationships with the branches and groups in Cambridgeshire, Suffolk and Norfolk. We are all one organisation and a major part of my role is to be the bridge between the branches, groups, and the regional and national teams. Within this mainly rural part of the region we have large areas where getting to a support group or branch can be difficult. Working with PDNS, ISWs and other professionals in the community, we are identifying people in those areas and endeavouring to fill the gaps. H We are also aware of how we need to evolve the help and support we provide through groups and branches to address the needs and expectations of people living with Parkinson’s of all ages and cultures. How will all this be achieved? • Instigate County Chair meetings - coffee & pastries and shared ideas) • Present committee workshops – to update and inform on volunteer policies & ideas • Facilitate opportunities to start groups in three locations in North Norfolk • Continue exploration of support for younger people in the Ipswich area • Work with branches to address membership numbers • Support branches with ideas for new activities Lots to do!! Sue Vaughan-Williams Suffolk West Active Parkinson’s Christmas Meal We are a newly formed young onset Parkinson's group & thought what a great way to get to know each other better than going out for a meal! 20 of us went to the Linden Tree in Bury St Edmunds in December. We had two tables next to each other— a good idea as we could chatter to the people behind us (better than shouting down a long table!) They brought our starters out which were very big. My husband was last to get his. Everyone looked on as they brought out FOUR large slices of french bread covered in cheese. We were still laughing about it when the main meal came out. It’s funny though it don't matter how much you eat (or leave) you always find room for dessert!!! Felixstowe Sub Group The Felixstowe Satellite Group, which is part of the Ipswich and East Suffolk Branch were invited to have a stand at the Community Day on 20th September at Causton Primary School playing field. The event was hosted by Maidstone Road Baptist Church and we were one of sixteen organisations invited to take part. The day was organised as part of the churches bi-centenary celebrations. The Felixstowe group put together a bric a brac stall and funds were raised to support the work of the group in Felixstowe. We raised around £65. We also had an information stand promoting the work of the Parkinson’s Disease Society, with free literature. The stand was manned during the day on a rota basis and was indeed a group effort. 6 Dereham Support Group We will celebrate our fourth birthday in March and attendance has grown from 16 to an average of 35 in 2008. Sadly our founder member, Ann Lusha, died in September but we aim to continue her good work in providing a welcoming and friendly environment for Parkinson’s sufferers and their carers. In Ann’s memory we have purchased some padded stacking chairs with arms for the use of our less mobile members. Jessica Parrott Branch Chairman, Joy Raymer Branch Secretary, Richard Hughes, Cynthia Addison (Lloyds widow) and The Lord Mayor Hundreds Eat for Parkinson’s Research Norwich and District Branch held a Cookery Book Sale on Tuesday 14th October at the Forum in Norwich. We had collected, sorted and transported over 500 cookery books for the sale which was opened by the Lord Mayor. The sale was held in memory of Lloyd Addison whose idea it was to hold the sale in conjunction with the Moveable Feast which Lloyd had been running for the last nine years. Richard Hughes, local restaurateur and cookery book author provided a voucher for two for a session at his cookery school plus signed copies of his latest book. Several other notable cookery writers provided signed books, including Jane Asher, PDS National President. These were all raffled and tickets were sold through the day and also in the evening during the Moveable Feast. There were 18 restaurants across the city centre taking part and over 700 people dining. Each diner visiting a different restaurant for starter, main course and pudding. All diners returned to the Forum at the end of the meal where the raffle was drawn. Many of our members acted as Stewards at the restaurants to try and make sure everyone was in the right place at the right time. Quite a feat! It was a very long but successful day and we raised £1,732 for Parkinson’s research. Speakers at our monthly meetings may be on subjects of general interest or health issues and the refreshment interlude proves very popular for social mingling. We enjoyed two outings last summer and had a tea party with entertainment and gifts in December. Cromer & District Branch At their very enjoyable December meeting the members shared Christmas cake, mince pies, sausage rolls and a glass of sherry. The raffle prize was a picture of Wiveton Church, painted by Branch Chairman Harry Smith. Great amusement was caused when this was won by Branch President Roy Simpson. A cheque for £300 was presented to the branch by the President of Cromer & Sheringham Rotary Club, Joe Floyd. This resulted from the club’s August bric-a-brac sale in Sheringham. Rotary President Joe Floyd presentin g the cheque to Branch Chairman Harry Smith 7 Looking back Education and training 2008 2008 was the first year that each PDS region had its own dedicated Education and Training Officer. In the Eastern Region it proved to be a very busy year! As well as good attendance at most Open Access Seminars, there were many requests for in-house training from care homes and care agencies from right across the region. With not all staff being able to attend training at one time, there have been many requests for return visits to provide a second training session. When you look at the figures with regard to training delivered by the entire PDS education and training team, I am sure you will agree that it makes impressive reading: • Total training sessions delivered during 2008 – 598 • Total participants educated – 9,103 • Total nursing and care homes educated – 1,595 • Total general practices educated – 205 • Total number of actual GPs educated – 466 • Total number of Open Access Seminars delivered – 215 Evaluating our work In an effort to ensure that we are providing the right type of information, in the most useful format, at the appropriate level for care staff, Brian Senior – National Education & Training Manager, carried out an evaluation of the training that had been delivered during the year. (This was in addition to the evaluations that are completed at the end of each training seminar delivered.) A questionnaire sent to a sample of those that had received training met with a good response rate. It allowed us to ask questions with regard to how people had felt that they were able to apply their learning; had changed their behaviour and whether they were able to put their learning to positive effect whilst caring for people with Parkinson’s. The evaluation proved to be unanimously positive. It has given us clear statements of how our education courses are changing and improving the support and care for people with Parkinson’s in nursing and care homes across the country; and helped to ensure that education delivered to nursing and care home staff by the Society is of high quality and gives them a greater understanding of Parkinson’s Disease. Parkinson’s Awareness Week 20th—27th April 2009 8 Looking forward Education and training in the future In an attempt to ensure that we continue to provide the most useful, accessible training options for health and social care staff, the Society is currently running an on-line survey with regard to their training needs and preferences about method of delivery. The results of this survey will help to inform our work in the future. Open Access Seminars 2009 – Eastern Region Open Access Seminars will be offered in the following locations during the year ahead: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Chelmsford Brentwood Southend Bedford Dunstable Bishops Stortford Hatfield Beccles, Suffolk North East Norfolk West Norfolk South Norfolk Sudbury Cambridge Peterborough Bury St Edmunds Saffron Walden Tendring For these seminars, invitations are sent to all care/ nursing homes and care agencies within a 10 to 15 mile radius of the venue chosen, each seminar generating around 50 invitations being sent out. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you would like further information with regard to the 2009 education and training programme in the Eastern Region. Debbie Chinman Education and Training Officer Tel 0844 225 3611 Email dchinman@parkinsons.org.uk Harlow Branch Forum Branch Forums In May, October and November 2008 Branch Forums were held in Shuttleworth, Bedfordshire; Harlow, Essex; and Diss, Norfolk. The theme for the Forums was ‘Working Together’ and the events provided an opportunity for branches to meet the team and discuss the Society’s 40th Anniversary. The afternoon’s Open Forum enabled branches and support groups to meet old friends, highlight key issues and share successes. The Forums were very well attended and a programme for 2009 Branch Forums and County Meetings will be circulated to branches and support groups Lorraine Chilton 9 Influence and Service Development in Eastern England Primary Care Trust Profiles Profiles for all fourteen Primary Care Trusts have been completed. These profiles are documents containing information on key individuals, hospitals located within the PCT boundaries, specialist nurse services, therapists and other relevant information. We intend to use the profiles as a resource, which will give an overview of the situation for people with PD within each PCT and as a planning tool to identify priorities for future service development. New Specialist Nurse Posts Considerable progress has been made in Eastern England during 2008 to secure new Parkinson’s Disease Nurse Specialist (PDNS) posts and re-design services. The Society has approved funding for new posts in Huntingdon, Colchester, West Hertsand Great Yarmouth, with additional days for two existing posts. Quarterly steering groups will be established for all new posts, to ensure that they are fully supported and evaluated to demonstrate their effectiveness and impact on the lives of people with Parkinson’s. We have had some difficulties in recruiting to the Post in West Herts. however we are optimistic that this appointment will be secured in the very near future. ‘Get It on Time’ Over the next year ‘Get it on Time’ (the campaign to get hospitals to provide PD medications on time) will be focused on what can be done locally. The PDS will be providing more guidance for you to be able to be more involved in the campaign in your local area with the help and support of your regional team. In Eastern England we are working in partnership with professionals at hospitals in Colchester and Norwich. Regional Manager Paula Carey is a representative of the national ‘Get It on Time’ steering group, who 10 have agreed a plan of action for 2009. Please let us know if you have difficulties when in hospital, in your area and we can discuss how we can address these issues together. Sachin Shah at national office is keen to hear about the experience that people with Parkinson’s have of accessing their medication in hospital. Local Champions The Local Champions project is an initiative to recruit a number of volunteers who are skilled and keen to help us with our influencing work. The individuals who join this scheme will receive training and support, to enable them to represent the needs and points of view of people with Parkinson’s and the PDS. They will attend various forums, groups and consultation meetings facilitated by health and social care. They could possibly address medicines management issues at their local hospitals. The Champions will be undertaking varying elements of this work, VOWNnet Meeting: Emma Frost, Service Development Officer East Anglia, Multiple Sclerosis Society Kim Yallup, Regional Manager East Anglia, Multiple Sclerosis Society Andrew Gardner, CEO Headway Cambridgeshire Sue Hill, Regional Care Advisor, East Anglia, Huntington's Disease Association Gina Rutterford, Development Officer, East Anglia, PSP Society depending on local priorities, their particular interests and availability. We hope to begin with a group of six volunteers. There are a number of branches who have already been involved in influencing and campaigning to improve local services. An example is a volunteer who has been able to comment on the design of the proposed Personal Health Plans for the east of England. We hope to be able to provide support to these volunteers in a more structured way. Partnerships with other Neurological Charities We are members of the VOWNnet (Voluntary Organisations Workers in Neurology network), which meets on a quarterly basis. VOWNnet was formed to improve communication, facilitate joint working, and provide information and support. The East of England VOWNnet group includes the PDS, the Multiple Sclerosis Society, the PSP Society, the MND Association, the Huntingdon’s Disease Association, and Headway. VOWNnet East of England has organised several Neuro Study Days. These events are usually well attended by health and social care staff and this year we have three such study days planned, in Colchester, West Norfolk and Hertfordshire. Paula Carey Regional Manager Kecia Harris Influence & Service Development Officer Expanded Information and Support service benefits from £17,500 funding We are very grateful to a number of charitable trusts across the region, who, in 2008, gave donations totalling £17,500 to support our new regional network of Information and Support Workers. This generous funding helped us to make this vital service available in some areas for the very first time. 11 Information and Support ast year was an extremely busy one for us all. Information events were, as usual, in plentiful supply, and ranged from drop-ins to larger planned events. This coming year, the Society’s 40th Anniversary, will be one of celebration, and it is hoped that we can raise The Society’s profile even more by continuing to host a range of information events for people around the region. What we achieved last year. The figures on information events run by branches, support groups and the field team were pretty impressive. There were 35 Information events with an attendance of over 1500 people in total. I believe these are conservative figures and I know many of you hold small events of your own and attend other organisations, where information is given out. Therefore it is likely that the numbers are possibly a lot higher. Please do let me know if you hold any information events or attend another organisation’s information event, so I can ensure your contribution is recorded. L The Carer’s event – 29th November 08 in Bury St Edmunds Our last regional event of the year was a huge success for those that were able to attend. It was a day that closely coincided with Carer’s Rights Day to mark the contribution family carers make all year long. The day combined practical advice and support with opportunities to socialise and have a relaxing therapy. All attendees enjoyed their day and the overwhelming opinion is that more days like these are needed. We will be responding to this need by holding similar days in the future across the Eastern Region. ISW Update All of the ISW’s for the Eastern Region are in place now, and most are now taking referrals from their PCT areas. The contact details for all of these staff are detailed on the front page. • The ISW’s have the equivalent hours of just over 7 full time posts. • There are 11 ISW’s covering the Eastern Region. • The ISW’s cover every part of the Eastern region providing Support for All. ISW’s have some really positive messages about their job that they would like to share with you. “Being in contact with the increased number of ISW’s gives more potential to share successful working practices which help to improve our client’s lives” Clients that have not previously had access to an ISW service in their area have responded to the increased support in a positive way. “As a carer I feel alone a lot of the time. This new service will mean I have someone to talk to when things get tough or I need to find information about a key issue” “Trying to find my way through the maze of information when I feel worried and concerned about my condition has made me feel really stressed out. Yet it is so good to know that there is someone to support me through this difficult time” 12 Events programme for the Eastern Region 2009 This table is the beginnings of the Field Team Information events for the coming year. We will continue to look for opportunities to attend other organisation’s events and to support you where possible at yours. Please let me know if you have any events you would like added to the Region’s events diary or to the website. Type of event 1 quarter Rural Cambridge Drop in event Rural Norfolk area drop in event Essex Neuro- study event 2nd Quarter Larger information event in Huntingdonshire Neuro-study event Young Person’s event Papworth Everard West Herts Newmarket area PAW May June Swavesey East Norfolk area Colchester Garrison 29th February March 18th March 09 st Location Date New membership materials for the PDS! Following an extensive period of consultation and development, we have now revealed the newly designed membership materials. Many of you may well have already seen the new materials at the AGM last September or through mailings/events. The feedback has been almost entirely positive, which is very encouraging, and we hope that you are finding them to be useful resources that will help you to recruit more members over the next year. In case you are not familiar with what is now available, here is a brief overview: • Posters – A4 and A3 size available • Postcards – A6 size • Leaflets – 3 fold DL size • Application forms – A4 size, 6 pages including a detachable form • Sample Parkinson magazines – a 16 page sample edition that can be handed out freely to show people what the magazine typically contains These are all available to order from Sharwards now. Order your stocks and start using them! They are there for you. If you need help with recruitment of new members, please call Jag Jandu on 020 7898 1353 or email jjandu@parkinsons.org.uk. Membership is so important to the Society. The more members we have, the stronger we are, and every person we reach will benefit from the support that membership offers. If every branch and support group increased their membership by 30 during 2009, we would be able to reach 40,000 members in our 40th year, which would be a fantastic achievement for everyone. 13 The Time is Now … to start the celebrations! As 2009 gets underway, so does our 40th Anniversary. A chance to look back at all that we’ve achieved in the last 40 years and all that we have yet to accomplish in the quality of care for people with Parkinson's and in the treatment and cure of its symptoms. By now, you will have received a number of briefings on plans for the Anniversary, with Parkinson’s Awareness Week being central to our aim of raising awareness and funds. New materials to help promote the Anniversary (balloons, pin badges, money boxes) will be available shortly from Sharward Services and a small booklet documenting our achievements will be ready for Awareness Week. So, I hope that you have had a chance to think about how your branch/group might like to celebrate the Anniversary and help us to make 2009 a breakthrough year by devoting £5m to research. Whether it’s giving each of your branch members a money box to take home, or planning a special event, every little bit will certainly help. Our Information and Support Manager, Julie Woodley, has very kindly offered to run a quiz night in each county – so if you would like to join with other branches in your area to take up this offer, please get in touch. And keep us posted on your plans for the Anniversary too, so that we can keep you upto-date on what is happening across the region. Equally, let us know if you need any help with your planning. In the meantime, here are some of the fundraising highlights since the last newsletter Pretty in Pink In October last year, 15 energetic individuals (mostly spurred on by Cliff and Marjorie from the Peterborough Branch) donned the vibrant pink PDS running vest to take part in the Great Eastern Run. A gloriously sunny day gave the occasion a great atmosphere, but made it tough going on Peterborough’s streets. Their valiant efforts raised £3000 to support our work here in Eastern England. So if you have any enthusiastic runners in your family or amongst your friends – or know of someone who has resolved to get fit in 2009, let them know about running for the PDS and ask them to get in touch. It will be a busy year for one Great Eastern Runner, Mark Ashley, as he is not only running the London Marathon for PDS in April but also taking part in the PDS trek across the Sahara in November! We wish him well for both. 14 Thanks for giving 110%! The threat of wintry weather didn’t deter around 100 walkers from taking part in the first 110% Walk in Eastern England on Sunday 9th November at Hinchingbrooke Country Park. Many branch members from across the region took part and everyone enjoyed the winter sunshine, the bracing walk through the Park and a warming cuppa when they’d collected their medals! It was lovely to see whole families taking part – including the family pets – with young and old doing their bit to make a difference for people with Parkinson's. The sponsorship money is still coming in and we are hopeful that over £6000 will have been be raised – all of which will be go towards the expanded support for people with Parkinson's in the region. We hope to repeat the Walk in 2009 (a little earlier in the autumn this time) and details will be coming out soon. Thanks to all those who took part! Hitting the right note! Drummer Gary Woods from Lowestoft wanted to show his appreciation for the work of his local Parkinson’s Disease Nurse Specialist, by raising funds to help Gary presenting the the Parkinson’s Disease Society cheque to PDNS increase access to this vital Jo Fuller service. So he set about organising, together with some of his musician friends, a local music gig and successfully raised £1700 for the nurses fund. Gary hopes to repeat the event during Awareness Week this year and is also in the process of recording a CD to sell in aid of the Society. For more information on Gary’s activities, see his website www.parkinsonspace.co.uk A Marathon effort Members of Spalding Squash Club, led by Wyn Jones raised £1500 for the PDS by holding a 24-hour Squash Marathon in September last year. Two teams of seven people played a total of 49 matches during the 24-hour period, each of which was fiercely contested. Wyn said: “The matches were really competitive, but each team member managed to win the same number of games.” But the real winner by far is the PDS for being the beneficiary of such marathon efforts. Our thanks to all the players! Parkinson’s Research gets a £10,000 boost Christmas came slightly early last December, when the Cambridgeshire-based Frank Litchfield General Charitable Trust generously donated £10,000 towards a research project currently underway at Cambridge University into the impact of Parkinson’s on people’s ability to recognise emotions and, hence, their relationships and family life. We are extremely grateful for their support, which will help us to meet the cost of completing this important project. 15 Welwyn Hatfield Branch Deputy Mayor Kim Norris, Ann Wiles and Susan Down On 10 December 2008, at their Christmas Lunch, Welwyn Hatfield Branch held its Artisanns Awards, sponsored by Welwyn Garden City Rotary Club. Ann Wiles, who runs the fortnightly art therapy sessions, kindly organised the competition and arranged the beautiful and inspiring display. Susan Down was presented with a 1st Prize in Art for her watercolour ‘Australian Rain Forest’; a 1st for Poetry with ‘My Birthday’; and a 2nd for Photography. Derek Demaine was presented with a 1st Prize for Photography with his photograph ‘Passion Flower’. Entry to the Artisanns Awards was open to all Deputy Mayor Kim Norris presenting the Award to Derek Demaine branch members. Each section was judged separately, with the judges working independently. Annual General Meeting The Branch Rules require every branch to hold an Annual General Meeting, not later than the last day of March each year. The Annual General Meetings should be seen as not just a legal requirement; but as an opportunity to report back to members on the past year’s achievements and to look at the future of the branch. It is also an opportunity to invite a colleague from either statutory or voluntary sector to hear this overview of branch activity and, after the formal business, to give a short talk. Please also refer to Branch Rules in particular 8, 9 and 15 for further guidance. Will you be looking for new committee members next year? For advice and support with this please contact Lorraine Chilton 0844 225 3615 or Sue Vaughan Williams 0844 225 3614 Branch Finance Contact Details Tel: 0207 932 1341 Email: branchtreasurer@parkinsons.org.uk This newsletter covers the following areas: Bedfordshire * Cambridgeshire * Essex *Grays/Thurrock Hertfordshire * Huntingdonshire * Norfolk * Peterborough *Suffolk 16