Multiple Sclerosis Society Scotland
Ayrshire & Arran
MS Ayrshire & Arran Branch Information, Committee and Office Bearers Patron H R M Vernon DL President Mrs Kathryn Gray Chairperson Mr. G. McLachlan 07711 151 882 Vice-Chairperson Mrs. A Barnes 07511 961 215 Secretary Mr. H. Travers 01294 558866 Treasurer Mr. C. Thomson 01292 282225 Chief Fundraising Officer/Assistant Treasurer Mr. D. McNeill O.B.E. 01292 280814 Membership Secretary Mrs. C. MacIsaac 01292 471476 Group Representatives: Mrs. I McKenna (Cunninghame) 01294 471066 Mr. B. Farmer (New Cumnock) 07974 777 121 Lead Support Volunteer Mrs. A Barnes 07511 961 215 Support Volunteers Mrs. M. Jones 07511 961 215 Mrs. I. MacLean 07511 961 215 Social Section Secretary Mrs. E. Harvie 01294 554962 Publicity, Website & Newsletter Mr. N. Smalley 01294 227548
Regular Events Branch Social Night, Menzies Thistle Hotel, Irvine
First Thursday of the month April to September and also December. 6 pm for 6.30pm. Call 01294 558866 for details. Henderson Group, Henderson Church, Kilmarnock
1st and 3rd Tuesday of month, 1-4pm. Call 01563 539537. Cunninghame MS Drop In Group, St. John’s Church Hall, Stevenston
Thursdays 12 noon - 3pm. For details call 01294 471066. Kyle Coffee Club, Dobbies Garden World, Ayr
Last Wednesday of each month from 10-30am. Call for details on 01292 478962. New Cumnock MS Group, Lochside House Hotel, New Cumnock
Last Tuesday of month at 6.30pm. Call 01290 333846 for details. Yoga Class Biggart Hospital, Prestwick
Mondays at 7-15pm, Please call for details on 01292 268434.
Multiple Sclerosis Society Ayrshire & Arran Branch 84 Main Street, Kilwinning, KA13 6AG Telephone: 01294 558866 Email: msayrshire@talktalk.net Website: www.msayrshire.com Opening times: Resource Centre & Shop: Mon - Fri 11am - 3pm Shop Only : Saturday 11am - 3pm Out of hours MS helpline - call free on 0808 800 8000
Introduction George McLachlan Branch Chairman I am privileged to serve as Chair of the Branch and welcome this opportunity to report to members, supporters and all those interested parties in Ayrshire and Arran on our achievements over the past year and our plans for the year to come. I make no apology for repeating our principal aim which is to support local people affected by MS, their families, supporters, personal assistants and carers. I would like to make special reference to our many volunteers who give freely of their time. The MS Society believes that all individuals involved with, or working on behalf of people affected by MS, should respect one another and work constructively to achieve our common goals. I would urge all members and supporters to take time to read the Society’s code of conduct, statement of commitment to our volunteers and our policy on raising concerns. We really value the work that you do on our behalf. Ayrshire & Arran branch again achieved its objectives set last year in relation to providing practical and financial support to individuals and formally adopting Pavilion 11 and the Douglas Grant Unit. We achieved our target of increasing membership and created a specific fund for young carers and people with MS. Research continues to be a key priority for us and we contributed £ 10,000 to fund research in Scotland. You can read more on these achievements under the specific reports from your committee. In April 2011 we contributed to the course organised by the Douglas Grant Unit on “Getting to Grips with MS” which was well attended by members, individuals and friends. A similar event began in April this year. One of the highlights of the year was the event hosted at Pavilion 11 by the Health Board on 13 February to recognise the contribution made by staff from Hunterston B and the branch to improving the services and facilities provided for patients, carers and staff. We were delighted that
Hew Mathewson, Chair of Scottish Council attended the event and I made special reference to this initiative in our spring newsletter. Our objectives for the coming year are to build on these successes and in addition • Continue to contribute and monitor the progress of the Health Board on implementing national neurological standards for MS. • Contribute to the development and delivery of training courses for carers in Ayrshire and Arran. • Support development of Support Group for young carers and young people with MS. I would wish to thank my committee, members, volunteers, supporters and all the local groups for their support and hard work over the past year. Best wishes, George McLachlan
Guests attended an event hosted at Pavilion 11 to recognise the contribution made by staff from Hunterston B and the branch to improving the services and facilities provided for patients, carers and staff.
Resource Centre Report Harry Travers Branch Secretary Another good year at our Resource Centre and shop at 84 Main Street in Kilwinning which is open from 11am to 3pm Monday-Friday for the Resource Centre and Monday to Saturday for the Shop (a reminder of the address for those of you who have not yet visited). If you need our help you know where to find us. We also lend a kind ear for those of you who just want to chat and we also offer a cup of tea/coffee, “So’s yer throat disnae run dry”. I want to thank all the volunteers at the Resource Centre who give their time to man the office and the shop - your help is greatly appreciated and I know that the people who frequent our facilities have nothing but good words to say about the kindness and politeness given to them by our volunteers. I also thank the people who shop at our MS Shop and support us financially and I can tell you that due to your support, we managed to pay our annual rental and heating costs – kind regards and best wishes to you all to have the good health to keep on visiting us. It would be improper of me if I were not to thank those people who supply small furnishings, books, CDS & DVDs free of charge to our shop which allows us to have a 100% profit on any goods sold. I would also like to thank George Hannah and his team at the North Ayrshire Community Service who do pick ups and deliveries for us “Free of Charge”…and they also have a smile for us. On that note please keep us in mind if you have small furnishings and bric-abrac which we can arrange to have picked up within North Ayrshire free of charge. Thank you all for your support. Yours with kind regards Harry Travers The National MS Helpline on 0808 800 8000 (free call) is open 9am to 9pm Monday to Friday (except bank holidays) and and will also be open from 10am-1pm on Saturdays for a trial period until 20 October, or you can email helpline@mssociety.org.uk Professionally trained staff and volunteers are there to help and advise you.
Support Ann Barnes Lead Support Volunteer The aim of the MS Support team is to empower people affected by Multiple Sclerosis through giving information about MS, emotional support and facilitating access to available services and support, while maintaining confidentiality and in a non-judgmental manner. We have built up contacts through the various local authorities, social services and NHS agencies and while recognising our own limitations will signpost you to the appropriate agency for additional support needs. In the last year we have supported 39 grant applications through the Individual Support, Young Carers and Carers Opportunities grants ranging, from household goods,home adaptations, special equipment, driving lessons, school trips and computers etc. So, if we can support you please contact the Resource Centre in Kilwinning who will pass on enquiries to a member of the Support Team. Ann Barnes
Stephanie Krus (centre) organised a Cake Break at Kilwinning Library in May to raise funds for the branch. £175 was raised on the day and the money’s still coming in!
Financial Report Chalmers Thomson Treasurer It is my pleasure to report another successful financial year for your branch. From a financial governance point of view, the 12 pages of financial proformas, required by MS UK, have been audited locally by Sinclair Scott and been given a clean bill of health. MS HQ has also intimated they have been accepted without qualification. Income. Volunteers and fundraisers generated an amazing £42k which is only marginally down on the previous year despite the economic climate we find ourselves in. Our Resource Centre in Kilwinning has been in action for all of this financial year and generated £11k and is as a result of the hard work of all the volunteers and donors. Well done to you all!! We were given Grant Income from MS in Edinburgh of almost £3k. The branch received two new Restricted Funds during the year. The first for £25k was from our friends at Hunterston Power Station who stipulated it was to be used to enhance ACH and the Douglas Grant Unit. The second was The Robbie Dickie Young Carers Fund amounting to £2.5k. This fund is to be used specifically for young people affected by MS and will be matched pound for pound by the Branch. Expenditure No application, complying with the new national guidelines was refused by your Support Committee. During the year £20k was incurred in unrestricted funds and £2k in restricted funds. Respite care is now centrally funded by MS Edinburgh and no expenditure was incurred locally. However we now have an unused Restricted Fund for Respite of £29k. We have therefore agreed with MS Edinburgh that all successful applications submitted to them, from an Ayrshire and Arran Resident will be paid for by the branch. Overheads have increased mostly due to the paying the full annual rent of £11k for the Resource Centre and the payment of last years rent. A donation of £10k was also made to the MS Scottish HQ to assist research carried out in Scotland.
Surplus / (Deficit) The branch made a planned deficit of almost £11k on Unrestricted Funds and a surplus £26k on Restricted Funds activity due to the two new funds mentioned above. Under MS UK regulations the branch still carries £26k of excess cash in its unrestricted funds. Further planned deficits will be incurred with potentially more donations to Scottish HQ to assist research. The Balance Sheet. The Balance sheet indicates the increase in our cash balances of some £15k. This has been caused by the planned deficit in Unrestricted Funds offset by the receipt of the two new Restricted funds. The Hunterston £25k fund has now been passed to NHS Ayrshire and Arran in March 2012 and was be topped up by £3k from branch funds. Chalmers Thomson
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MS Ayrshire & Arran Branch wish to acknowledge the support of the advertisers in our yearbook which made the publication possible. As a reciprocal gesture we encourage our members to use the goods and services of the advertisers wherever possible.
Fundraising & Donations Donald McNeill O.B.E. Chief Fundraiser and Assistant Treasurer As noted in our Treasurer’s report, our general (Unrestricted Funds) effort was marginally down on the previous year (from £46.5K to £41.6k approximately). - Still a fine achievement given the economic climate and especially as we were not allocated by HQ any collection days in 2011 at the various Tesco stores in Ayrshire. In 2012, we will be on parade. However, this is not the full story as we also received £27.8K for Restricted Funds. As a Branch we continue to benefit greatly from fundraising where the donor specifically directs their monies to be applied for a named purpose. This is reflected in our Restricted Funds. We are clearly very happy to meet their wishes and in the past have honoured legacies as an example for respite care and will continue to do so. This year a most handsome donation of £25,000 was received from the staff of Hunterston Power Station at West Kilbride. As noted in our Chairman’s report this was used, with £3.5K monies from Branch funds to augment the Health Board’s major upgrade work at Pavilion 11 at Ayrshire Central Hospital. In addition, his family and friends have, and are, supporting the on-going Robbie Dickie Memorial Fund. This will be directed at young people affected by MS and again the Branch is committed to matching all monies raised on a £1 for £1 basis. Over £11k was generated by our Charity Shop in Kilwinning. Members’ individual subscriptions (£5 - now retained in the Branch) contributed £2,000 with a similar amount from our various collection cans in shop and pubs. Can rattling in Largs, Arran and Millport also swells the coffers. Our Treasurer continues to pursue the Inland Revenue for monies due to us under the Government’s Gift Aid scheme.
It is perhaps invidious to mention specific donors, but the continued year to year support of Talteg in Glasgow, Hillhouse Quarries in Troon and the Noble Resolve Mission in Kilmarnock cannot go unremarked. All these efforts and many more reflect the generosity and goodwill from both the Ayrshire and Arran and indeed wider community. It is a refection of the fact that we are run entirely by volunteers, have no paid staff and our monies are directed to help people in Ayrshire affected by MS. In our 40 years existence they have never let us down. We thank all of them most sincerely. Donald McNeill OBE
The Edinburgh Rock n Roll Half Marathon provided a further opportunity for the friends and family of the late Robbie Dickie to boost his memorial fund. Robbie died in a tragic road accident, age 17, last September. His family who have close connections with the Multiple Sclerosis Society wished a suitable and lasting tribute to the popular young teenager. They established a Memorial Fund and set about energetically to raise funds. All monies are dedicated to supporting young people with MS and young carers. In this, their latest effort, 13 teenagers, headed up by Alison Peacock and Stuart Doolan, former Belmont Academy schoolmates in Ayr, raised the great total of over ÂŁ3,500.
Local artist Allison Davis raffled her oil painting “Blaze of Glory” to help the branch. The photo shows Harry Travers along with our Resource Centre volunteers Moira, Krys and Heather.
MS Ayrshire & Arran Branch are producing a cookery book and we want to hear about your favourite recipe. Whether it’s a soup, a starter, a main course or a dessert (or all of them!), tell us your favourite recipe and we’ll include it in the book. Send your recipe to ‘MS Recipe Book’ c/o 3 Five Roads, Kilwinning KA13 7JX or email it to mspublications@btinternet.com You can also send it to us by using the form on our website www.msayrshire.com Please remember to include your name and contact details.
Group News A round up of the year from our social group representatives Henderson Group, Kilmarnock A warm welcome awaits members old and new on the first and third Tuesday every month at the Scout Hall, behind the Henderson Church in London Road, Kilmarnock. Over the last year we were delighted to have new members join us. Sadly we have missed Rena Fraser, Morag Furniss, Margaret Kerr, Dorothy Merrick and her daughter Anne. Earlier this year some members brought along a favourite piece of material to be part of a friendship quilt. This was most beautifully sewn by Catherine Honeyman, a lady with many talents. Gail Hogg was the lucky recipient. A big thank you should go to the shoppers of Kilmarnock Tesco where we had 2 very succesful collection days. Thanks also to Jane W, Anne R, Heather T, Gail H, Bryce C and M J. The Henderson group received ÂŁ472 the other half went to the Ayrshire Branch.Do come along and join us and sample Gail's muffins , the raffle and chat. As a group we have been to our usual eatery 'McChristies' in Crosshouse; the chatter was great but most importantly the food was excellent. We are always looking for new members but are desperate to have some able-bodied help. The tasks are very small like preparation of the hall, like wiping tables and tea making. Why not come along and see or contact 01563 539537 where Catherine would be delighted to speak to you. Moureen Jones
Cunninghame Group, Stevenston The Cunninghame MS Drop-in Centre has a busy time coming up. Three of our members are having special Birthdays this year. We have a 70th, 60th and a 21st. As it happens the group are also celebrating 21 years existence in September. We intend to have a party on the 1st Saturday in September when we hope to entertain a large number of people. The hall is booked, the bar is booked and so is the entertainment… so bring on our celebrations. In November a large number of our members will be going to Benidorm. I do hope that everyone who is going has a good time. Remember we meet on Thursday from 12 until the last person leaves at St John’s Church Hall in Stevenston where you can get lunch and as much tea, coffee or juice as you want. The charge is £2.50 per head. The pool table is usually busy and we try to find something new to learn even if it maybe only new facts from a quiz. Any one is more than welcome so just remember us. Margaret Shuttleworth
Local MSP Margaret Burgess (second from right) paid a visit to our Resource Centre to find out more about Multiple Sclerosis. Margaret later made a point of praising the branch for its good work in a Scottish Parliamentary debate about MS which was held at Holyrood during MS Week.
Kyle Coffee Club, Ayr As the Kyle Coffee Club approaches its 5�� birthday; we continue to have 25 – 40 people at our regular monthly meetings. The delicious scones and coffee served by the staff at Dobbies play a large part in the success of our group, and the chat on a variety of subjects is always good. Some of us take the opportunity to stop for lunch afterwards, and browse round the garden centre. This year we had a talk from Neil Grant of The Energy Saving Trust. He gave us a lot of very useful information on ways to conserve energy and hopefully save money! Did I mention we now have a dog among our members? Jinx is an Assistance Dog. Bernard, one of our newer members, gave a very moving talk to the Coffee Club about his introduction to Jinx and the help Jinx gives him. We hope, in the coming year to introduce some more speakers to the group, any suggestions would be welcome, and also pay a visit to the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum. Our thanks to the staff at Dobbies for making us so welcome each month. If you are free on the last Wednesday of the month at 10.30 am, why not join us? We would love to see you. Please contact Irene on 01292 478962 for more information. Irene McLean and Carolyn MacIsaac
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New Cumnock & District Group Our group continues to grow from strength to strength. We are a lively lot with an upbeat look on life. Never a month goes by without us going somewhere or having guest speakers. We had a successful trip to the panto in Glasgow at Christmas with over 150 members and friends attending. I want to thank all our members and supporters who continue to give of their time and support us financially. The group are funding alternative therapies for our members and we plan to evaluate the exercise in the near future. We continue to meet at 6.30pm on the last Tuesday of every month at the Lochside House Hotel in New Cumnock. All are welcome. Please phone me on 01290 333846 for further information. Caroline Duncan
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Ayrshire & Arran
Christmas Fair I’ll be there too!
CRAFT STALLS COMPETITIONS HOME BAKING TOMBOLA AND MUCH MORE
11am - 4pm Sunday 2nd December 2012 The Racquet Hall, Eglinton Country Park, Kilwinning, Ayrshire
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Telephone: 01292 317878
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Christmas Craft Fair 2011
There was a good turnout for our Christmas Fair in December 2011 with branch members, supporters and the public coming along on the day. Photos courtesy of Derek Cooper.
Guest Contributor Jacqui Downs Douglas Grant Rehabilitation Centre: MS Service NHS Ayrshire and Arran’s Multiple Sclerosis Service is based at the Douglas Grant Rehabilitation Centre, Ayrshire Central Hospital. The Centre was the first purpose-built unit in the West of Scotland, opened in 1990. The building was designed to provide the best equipment and facilities in a comfortable, relaxing and spacious environment. The Centre also provides elderly rehabilitation alongside neurological rehabilitation, for which it is now better known. All patients are supported to achieve their fullest potential through holistic assessment, supportive treatment and reviews. The Douglas Grant Rehabilitation Centre is named after Dr Douglas T Grant, who was a Consultant Physician in Care of the Elderly Medicine at Ayrshire Central Hospital from 1962 until he retired in 1989. Dr Grant was instrumental in bringing the Rehabilitation Medicine Service to Ayrshire and Arran. The Ayrshire and Arran MS Service has grown steadily within that service since 1992, linking with the wider hospital and community provision of health, social services and the voluntary sector. It is well respected throughout the UK as a centre of excellence. There are now approximately 1,000 people with a diagnosis of MS living in Ayrshire and Arran. There has been a history of introducing novel treatments and patient involvement in research. Patients can contact the service directly at any time as required. There is a range of MS clinics weekly, from the Newly Diagnosed to regular review and treatment review. The past few years have seen the expansion of a dedicated specialist team, which is now multidisciplinary, and offers streamlined services within the centre and within the community and home settings. This provides the ability to offer personalised, rapid consultation and treatment options. Initial referral to the Ayrshire & Arran MS service is generally via your Neurologist or General Practitioner. Once you are registered with the Ayrshire & Arran MS service you will continue to be part of our routine review programme. If you are found to be keeping well, with no notable change in your condition for some time, we may not make any routine review appointments. However, you will continue to be registered with the Ayrshire & Arran MS service and we will be contacting you from time-to-time to see how you are. If you do develop any new symptoms or you are concerned about any changes in your condition then we ask that you contact us directly. The Ayrshire and Arran MS Service operates a self-referral system for patients who are already registered with the Service. You do not have to wait until your next appointment
letter is received if you feel you would benefit from seeing either the Consultant, MS Specialist Nurse or a therapist sooner. Please contact the relevant department where an appropriate appointment will be made for you. It may be that you just need to speak with someone over the telephone. There are several different MS clinics and you may attend more than one of these clinics. These clinics include Relapse, Review, Disease Modifying Therapies, and New Referrals. Pavilion 11 is the in-patient ward and is directly linked to the Rehabilitation Centre. The 16 beds are for assessment and rehabilitation of adults aged 16-65 with a neurological illness or disability. Again the approach is multi-disciplinary, but the mainstay of care is delivered by a dedicated nursing team who provide a warm and friendly service appropriate to the client group. People with MS may be admitted to the ward for a number of reasons, including investigative diagnosis, an initial course of intravenous steroids, in-depth assessment and intensive therapies. Day-case treatments also take place at Pavilion 11 and over the past 12 months (April 2011 to March 2012) we have seen in excess of 1100 patients attending for treatments such as IV Steroids, Tysabri and Mitoxantrone. Strong links exist between the Ayrshire and Arran MS Service and the Continence Team based at the Ballochmyle Suite of the Ayr Hospital. Clinics are held there and at Ayrshire Central and East Ayrshire Community Hospitals. At least 40 per cent of people with MS can suffer from urinary or bowel problems and there is much that can be done to avoid, improve or manage this. Bladder and bowel problems can arise no matter your level of mobility or other abilities. Bladder and bowel management pathways for MS have been developed between the two teams and are used throughout Ayrshire. The first point of contact is your MS Specialist Nurse, who can give you appropriate advice, and start a management plan. They can also refer you to the Continence Service as can your General Practitioner or the Consultant in Rehab Medicine. The MS multidisciplinary team comprises: Ÿ A Consultant in Rehabilitation Ÿ Nursing, including two MS Specialist Nurses Ÿ Physiotherapy, including a Consultant MS Physiotherapist Ÿ Occupational Therapy, including MS Specialist Occupational Therapist Ÿ Speech and Language Therapy Ÿ Dietitian Ÿ MS Specialist Clinical Psychologist
The Douglas Grant Rehabilitation Centre also offers: 타 Wheelchair services 타 Orthotic services 타 Driving assessment Pharmalogical clinical trials and research have been an increasing feature of the Ayrshire and Arran MS Service over the past ten years and successful research programmes have been carried out in most departments. If you feel you would like to find out more about clinical trials or research in MS, then please indicate your interest with a member of staff from our MS Multidisciplinary Team. Multiple Sclerosis Managed Clinical Network Managed Clinical Networks are groups of health professionals and patient and carer representatives. Staff come from a range of services including local health centres, small and large hospitals and specialist units. They include GPs, consultants, nurses, allied health professions (for example physiotherapists and dietitians) health care managers, local authority and voluntary agencies. Patients, carers and members of the public are central to the work of the MCN. Managed Clinical Networks are set up to share information and ideas to improve services for patients. The most important people are our patients, carers and members of the public. Whether or not you decide to become involved in a formal capacity, we are always delighted to hear your comments and suggestions at any time. Please feel free to contact our network manager about any aspect of our service or indeed if you wish to become involved with the MS MCN. Telephone: 01294 323056 Email: msmcn@aaaht.scot.nhs.uk If you wish to contact any member of the MS Team you can do so by phoning 01294 323030 or emailing msmcn@aaaht.scot.nhs.uk
Jacqueline K Downs Rehab Co-Ordinator and Managed Clinical Network Manager, Douglas Grant Rehabilitation Centre.
Branch Media Nick Smalley Branch Publicist & Website Editor The MS Ayrshire & Arran branch website is available all day every day as a source of information about the branch and MS in general and is continuing to be a popular resource with an average of 3,000 people visiting it each year. You can find out what’s happening around our region, read about fundraising events, view online copies of various documents - including this yearbook or the latest branch newsletter - or visit our ‘Hold till Sold’ classified ads page. If you haven’t been there yet, just log on to www.msayrshire.com Thanks to the efforts of Brian Farmer we’re also now on Facebook… you can find us at www.facebook.com/MS Ayrshire and we hope to be looking at other social networking opportunities, such as Twitter, in the near future. You may well have noticed the change in our quarterly branch newsletter ‘InforMS’ over the last few issues. This has seen it change from a black and white photocopied document to a full colour glossy newsletter. This change appears to have been welcomed all round and the new look befits our status as Scotland’s biggest MS Branch. The quarterly run of InforMS will resume with the Autumn issue, so please send in your stories and photos for inclusion to mspublications@btinternet.com As advertised elsewhere in this Yearbook, we are putting together a Branch Recipe Book and we want members and friends to support this by sharing their favourite recipes and cookery tips with us. Once we have amassed sufficient recipes, we can then print the book and make it available for sale. Finally, a big thank you to the organisations who have advertised in this publication. It is only with their support that we are able to produce our Branch Yearbook. Nick Smalley