July - August 2018 Newsletter

South & West Cornwall MS Group Newsletter July - August 2018 Welcome!

Bingo Sessions Saturday 21st July we had a bingo afternoon at Carnon Downs Village Hall which we (team of Volunteers) have decided to make the last at this venue. We will not be having any further bingo, until after our Volunteer meeting in September. We will decide a new venue and format for bingo sessions. Those Members who attend our bingo, was informed of our decision, following the previous session, held on Saturday 7th July.

We are having our Volunteer meeting next on the 21st August, but bingo will not be on the agenda, because of our visit from Sandra Woods.

Visit by Sandra Woods, Local Network Officer At our Volunteer meeting on 21st August, we were pleased to welcome our LNO (Local Network Officer) Sandra Woods, (on the left) and Bindu Dudhia a Finance Officer from National Centre in London. The reason for their visit was because as a Group, we were selected at random for a financial audit. We are pleased to say, everything was absolutely OK. Well, thanks to Hilary our Finance Volunteer for doing “the books” and an un-enviable task it is! It also gave us as a Group a chance to hear the latest plans and news from H.Q. In London as well as what other Groups are doing especially fundraising.

The Choughs Wheelchair Dance Team One of Members, Jackie Riste has sent us some details of an event on Wednesday 15th September being held near Camborne on the Campus of Cornwall College, in The Penhaligon Building. Jackie is a Member of the team of Choughs and the event looks great for just £2.00 admission! Can we please go and support them? Here is their website: http://choughswheelchairdanceteam.btck.co.uk/ Entrance. £2.00 to include tea/coffee all day and a buffet lunch.

Disabled facilities on site.

Contact Chris’s on 01872 270 882 to book a place: email: chrispee41@btinternet.com.

"The Choughs Wheelchair Dancers from Cornwall would like to invite you, All views expressed in this publication are individual and not necessarily the view or policy of the charity and its supporters.

Multiple Sclerosis Society Registered charity nos. 1139257 / SC041990

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A Message from A Member, Penny Stevens Hello fellow MSers Myself and a fellow MSer have worked with Marie Therese House Users to put pressure on Cornwall NHS to improve services for us across the board. We had great success in the past. However, because Marie Therese House no longer has the role it had previously, as a large group of with various neurological conditions we have just been treading water and getting nowhere. The Spinal Cord Injury members split from the large group and have made great strides in improving services for this group of patients. As a result we have decided to do the same with the MSers. Unfortunately after 18 years of hard work there are now only two MS members left. We would like many more to join this new group. We have all the right contacts and we need to work to improve services. We only meet about 3 times a year and rely on emails a lot.

Can we put a note in the next newsletter please to promote the group. (Yes with pleasure Penny! - Mike M.) Carers are also welcome.

The new regional officer for MS South West and the two NCAs will also be attending.

Our next meeting is already planned for Wednesday 19th September 2.00 p.m. at Marie Therese House.

We all know of someone living with MS who may have benefitted from the facilities at MTH (Marie Therese House) and all the hard work that was done by The South Cornwall Branch of The MS Society over the years. Can we help now? - Mike M. Email or telephone 01326 290 765. stevens489@btinternet.com Kind regards Penny Stevens

Beacon Village Hall, Camborne

Harvest Supper at Beacon Village Hall, Camborne Tuesday 8th September Last year "Beacon Silver Ladies" hosted a harvest festival that raised over ÂŁ500, with the auction of produce donated for our Group. This year, the ladies are hosting a "Harvest Supper" with donations for the food provided.

The event is being held from 7.00 PM to 9.00 PM at: Beacon Village Hall Tolcarne Road Camborne TR14 7SF Janet Jelbert is organising the supper with "The Beacon Silver Ladies Group". Just pop along and have something to eat and "a cuppa" or bring something

Telephone Janet on 01209 716 667 or our Group on 01872 274 911 For Details

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Visit to St Austell Brewery Wednesday 10th of October Karen has arranged a visit for us to St Austell Brewery to, visit the visitor centre, see the brewing process and have a meal. The event is free for MS and Carers. However please note, the tour of the brewery will involve some climbing up steps and their could possibly be a lot of water on the floors from the brewing process. The tour ends with samples of fine ales from St Austell Brewery.

Please contact Karen on 01872 274 188 or email her at: karenfm51@outlook.com to book.

Christmas Luncheon at The Falmouth Hotel Castle Beach, Falmouth TR11 4NZ Karen has booked our Group to have a traditional Christmas Luncheon on the 8th of December meeting 12.30 PM for 1.00 PM lunch. All with MS and Carers free of charge.

Further details will be published in the coming months.

But if you intend to go, please contact Karen on 01872 274 188 or email: karenfm51@outlook.com

CAB / CAC - Citizens Advice Cornwall Our fast track referral partnership with CAB / CAC continue to help our Members. Please contact us if you need to access the service.

Telephone our Group on 01872 274 911

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Leading MS Specialists Head to Torquay for Exclusive Event The MS Information Day at The Grand Hotel, Torquay Saturday 29th September 9.00 AM - 4.30 PM A team of renowned multiple sclerosis (MS) specialists will come together to speak to those affected by the condition on 29 September at the Grand Hotel in Torquay. The list of speakers are;  

    

Professor Jeremy Hobart, South Devon MS Society Group President.

Professor Gavin Giovannoni of Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Dr Klaus Schmierer of Queen Mary University of London, Dr Rachel Farrell of University College London, Djordje Gveric from the MS Register and Torbay Hospital’s Dr Agne Straukiene to deliver the talks.

George Pepper, Shift MS. George was diagnosed with the condition in his early twenties and set up Shift MS to offer other ‘MSers’ invaluable support.

Whether people have been newly diagnosed or have had MS for a number of years, along with friends and family, they can attend the exclusive event to hear about new research and meet other MS professionals. South Devon MS Society Group volunteer, Christina Montanjees, says: “We wouldn’t be hosting anything like this without Professor Hobart’s support and impressive connections! The speakers coming from London are among those leading the way in the world of MS research and the one-off event is a unique opportunity for the South West community to hear about the advances in MS treatment from both national and international specialists". From 9am-4pm, guests will also have the chance to hear from Torbay Hospital’s MS Nurse Jenny Pye, local retired GP Dr, Colin Bannon and MS Advocacy adviser from Citizens Advice, Sally Crozier.

To register your interest, please contact: Chris Buckingham, on 01626 332268. or email: chrisbuckingham195@btinternet.com

The Grand Hotel Conference Room

The Grand Hotel All views expressed in this publication are individual and not necessarily the view or policy of the charity and its supporters.

Multiple Sclerosis Society Registered charity nos. 1139257 / SC041990

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All views expressed in this publication are individual and not necessarily the view or policy of the charity and its supporters.

Multiple Sclerosis Society Registered charity nos. 1139257 / SC041990

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The Carers Forums in Cornwall I have placed a full page advert in our newsletter, from The Kernow Carers Service about the forthcoming Carers Forum in Truro on September 6th at Cornwall Mobility, near Treliske Hospital. The meetings give carers an opportunity to discuss the services they receive and raise any concerns or issues they have or need advice about in regards their caring role. All Carers will receive a warm welcome at the meetings and be able to meet others who are in a similar situation. This is from the Care and Support in Cornwall website about the forums:“There are many people in our community who are unaware of the help they can get and who also may not recognise themselves as Carers because they look after a Relative or Friend. Staff from Kernow Carers Service will be at the meetings, and will be able to give help and advice to Carers, including making referrals to Carer Support Workers (CSWs) who work directly with individual Carers to help them with any issues they have, including signposting to benefits and services”.

There are ten Carers Forums throughout Cornwall. They are at, Penzance, Helston, Falmouth, Redruth, Truro, St Austell, Newquay, Bude / Wadebridge, Liskeard / Saltash and Torpoint.

Details about the Forums can be found here, together with the minutes published which gives a flavour of what they are about:https://www.supportincornwall.org.uk/kb5/cornwall/directory/service.page? d=DFueuq88WGE Alternatively give me a call on 01872 272 957or email: southandwestcornwall@mssociety.org.uk or Chris Perry (Forum Administrator) on 01872 242 530 Mike May. email: Chris.Perry@cornwallrcc.org.uk

Janet Jelbert Skydive / Tandem Parachute Jump It’s a year ago when Janet was fundraising for our Group, to take off in an aeroplane and jump in tandem in a skydive. Perranporth Airfield was the venue, however on the day, bad weather set in and the jump was cancelled. Janet contacted Dunkeswell Airfield, near Honiton, Devon, who offered her the facility to jump, but once again, the weather let her down. Janet had arranged to go to Dunkeswell and jump on Sunday the 19th August. Unfortunately, Janet received a telephone call from Dunkeswell on Saturday afternoon, 18th August “Cancelled due to the weather forecast” .

Dunkeswell will be sending Janet some more dates to consider and let’s hope Janet will be able to complete her tandem skydive soon.

If you wish to sponsor Janet or to donate, just call our Group landline, 1872 274 911 or email; southandwestcornwall@mssociety.org.uk

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Killiow Sunday Carvery Lunch 12th August 2018

Over forty Members and Guests booked to come to Killiow Golf Club to enjoy a sumptuous two course Carvery meal with coffee or tea and what a meal it was! There was a choice of beef, roast gammon or pork, or all three with traditional Sunday roast fayre, potatoes both roasted or boiled and a selection of vegetables of choice to cater for all tastes. With of course, gallons of gravy! There was a choice of dessert from chocolate flavoured or strawberry to the trusted choice after such a satisfying mains, ice cream. Then freshly brewed tea or filtered coffee to finish!

We started arriving from midday and to open the event, Karen did a mini auction that raised £10 to start towards the raffle proceeds. In total £130 was raised which included a £10 donation to the Group. Thank you to everyone who took part and raised funds to help our Group. We finished the day by having, a well supported collection or "tip" for all the lovely people and restaurant staff, who made the event so memorable and special for us. They looked after us all well and did a brilliant job! Thank you to you all. Also to Karen in organising the event and the raffle.

The View From The Restaurant A Message From Karen “Thank you to everyone who helped me make the day at Killiow be a success.

Also to everyone who donated a prize to the raffle and to the supermarkets which enabled us to raise £130 on the day! Also to Andy the Chef who provided us with a superb luncheon and Grazina working at every task possible to ensure everything went well, being Barmaid, Waitress and doing everything possible for us to enjoy the day! ~ Thank You”

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Some Useful Group Telephone Numbers and Other Contacts Finance Volunteer: Hillary Merton 01872 863896 MS Support Volunteer: Martin Welton 01872 274 911 Admin & Group Membership Volunteer: Janet Jelbert 01209 716667 Collecting Volunteers South: Karen and Keith Moore 01872 274188 Collecting Volunteers West: Ann and David Jones 01736 757297 Communications, Web and I.T. Volunteer: Mike May 01872 272957 Health & Safety Volunteer: Tony Stribley 07702 616 835 The Merlin Centre: 01726 885530 MS Nurses at Treliske: 01872 253063 Treliske Hospital General Switchboard: 01872 250000 St Michael's Hospital, Hayle: 01736 753344 West Cornwall Hospital, Penzance: 01736 874000 Camborne Redruth Community Hospital (Barncoose): 01209 318000 Falmouth Hospital : 01326 430000 Marie Therese House, Hayle: 01736 758875 Kernow Carers Service: 0800 5878191 Adult Care and Support - Cornwall Council: 0300 1234131 MS Society Helpline: 0808 800 8000.

Our Group telephone landline is available for general enquiries and is also a direct line for local MS Support: 01872 274 911 or email : southandwestcornwall@mssociety.org.uk

Post may be sent to; MSS, 2 Sara’s Row, Redbrooke Rd, CAMBORNE, TR14 7AZ Our support email address which is separate and accessed, only by our Support Volunteer, Martin Welton is:

southandwestcornwallsupport@mssociety.org.ok

Contact Details for MS National Centre

By Post: MS National Centre (MSNC), 372 Edgware Road, London NW2 6ND TEL: 020 8438 0700

By Email: For General Enquiries; supportercare@mssociety.org.uk also; For Help, Guidance and Support; supportercare@mssociety.org.uk All views expressed in this publication are individual and not necessarily the view or policy of the charity and its supporters.

Multiple Sclerosis Society Registered charity nos. 1139257 / SC041990