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Bobath NEWS Issue Twenty One Spring 2011
THE
NEWSLETTER
OF
THE
BOBATH
CENTRE
Duchess makes Maddy’s day The Duchess of Gloucester visited the Bobath Centre on Tuesday 8th March. The duchess, who has been a patron of the children’s charity since 1993, was taken on a tour by Christine Barber, Director of Therapy Services, and spent
Bobath Centre Directors Jayne Pearce and Christine Barber with The Duchess of Gloucester
time observing therapists at work and chatting with children and their parents. She was later presented with a posy of flowers by Madison Haynes, 7, from Leigh-on-Sea, on behalf of the Centre. Madison’s mother Sally said, “Madison was thrilled to meet a member of the royal family and will be describing the flowers to her friends when she goes back to school.” The duchess last visited the Centre in
Going digital This will be the last edition of the Bobath News as you know it. From Summer 2011 we will be using regular e-bulletins to keep you updated on all the news and events at the Bobath Centre. The aim is to help you keep in touch with us, whenever you’d like and wherever you are in the world. It’s also more environmentally friendly!
1993, when she attended the official opening of the charity’s new premises after their move from Hampstead. “We were delighted to welcome the duchess to the Bobath Centre once again,” said Jayne Pearce, Director of Administrative Services at the Centre. “Her royal highness is a keen supporter so it was wonderful to be able to update her on our progress. We are proud to have her as our patron and hope she will visit again soon.”
address in the past, you should get your first e-bulletin around May. If you’d like to sign up for e-bulletins, please go to our website or email enquiries@bobath.org.uk with “Sign up for e-bulletins” as the subject.
If you have provided us with an email
The Royal Parks Half Marathon See page 4 for details
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BOBATH
NEWS
Generous response to roof theft The Bobath Centre is back to full health following the theft of lead from the roof back in August last year. Raiders caused thousands of pounds worth of damage that led to treatment rooms being closed off for health and safety reasons. The theft was especially disappointing since the Centre had only just finished raising money to replace a leaking roof in its reception. However, thanks to the understanding of the insurers and the generosity of local people, the roof of the Grade II listed building has been returned to its former glory. “We were really overwhelmed by the generosity of the local community,” says Kevin Gillespie, fundraising manager. “In the weeks following the theft, people walked in off the street with cash and cheques. We managed to cover all our costs, which meant that we weren’t out of pocket.”
Runners lead the way We’d like to say a big thank you and congratulations to the team of 13 runners who completed the Virgin London Marathon in aid of the Bobath Centre this year. Between them they have already raised over £15,000 in sponsorship and we estimate that including Gift Aid, the final total raised will be over £30,000! Runner Viren Walia completed three marathons in three days for the Bobath Centre, finishing in London. Viren’s gruelling challenge took its toll and when we saw him at the eighteenmile point he had been limping for over eight miles – but he still managed to stop for a chat with supporters.
VolunteerING at Bobath Staff from ING Credit Risk Management took a day out of the office to do voluntary work for the Bobath Centre in December. The 13 volunteers even braved the cold outside to tidy up the garden and clear out the shed. ING Volunteers with Kit and mum Jo
Bobath director Jayne Pearce thanked them for their support. “Volunteers play an important part in the running of charities, especially small ones like us, so we are very grateful to the ING staff for giving up their time to help us.” The ING Charitable Trust also donated a cheque for £1,000. Bobath patient Kit and his mum Jo accepted the cheque on behalf of the charity.
Charity focus: KIDS KIDS is an organisation working directly with children and young people with disabilities. They provide services such as home learning and adapted adventure playgrounds for children, as well as advice, information and support for parents and siblings. They also offer home-based short breaks for children (respite care) throughout the UK. The charity’s vision is “a world in which all disabled children and young people realise their aspirations and their right to an inclusive community which supports them and their families”. KIDS are celebrating their 40th birthday this year. To find out about their services in your area, go to www.kids.org.uk.
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Viren before his third marathon
Kokos’ Christmas gift Christmas came early at the Bobath Centre when the children visiting for treatment in December got a little something from Santa. The Christmas presents were generously sponsored by local shoe boutique, Kokos in East Finchley. The shop’s owners George and Maria Stavrou had already made a donation to the charity and hoped that a Christmas appeal to their customers and suppliers would inspire them to do the same. “We’re delighted that Kokos and their customers supported us over the festive season,” said Kokos George Kevin Gillespie, fundraising and Maria Stavrou manager. “We really enjoy forging links with the local community and it’s great to see that local businesses are still helping local causes.”
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SPRING
More bang(ers) for your buck The Sunflower Girls
2011
and therapists,” she said. “The therapists on the course do short video presentations to show what they have done since they were last here, what has changed and how they wish to progress with therapy.” The sessions have now been held twice and have been well received by everyone who attended. For information on other Bobath courses for professionals and carers, please visit our website.
No fee increase At their January meeting, the Bobath Centre trustees agreed that the Centre will not be increasing treatment fees. However, as a small charity we have begun to feel the effects of the current financial climate and this decision may be reviewed before the end of the year.
New staff Lincolnshire-based fundraisers the Sunflower Girls held a Sausage and Mash Supper for 60 people in aid of the Bobath Centre in March. The group hold three events for different charities every year and this time raised £700 for the Bobath Centre. Pictured are chairman Lorraine James, Denise Field, Pam Wade and Barbara Jones and in the front Joanna Van Berckel, whose son Kit is a regular patient at the Centre. Denise said, “I have known Joanna since she was a child, and on hearing how Bobath had supported her I felt it was a very worthwhile cause. Interestingly one of our committee trained at the Bobath Centre in the early days.” We hope everyone enjoyed the night. If you are interested in setting up a fundraising group in your area to support the Bobath Centre, please contact Kevin Gillespie, Fundraising Manager.
Roll of Honour Hannah Griffin Hugo Galeote Katie Harding Jeremy Bates Jackie Cuneen Marie Forsyth Kathy Bousfield
Nick Dodd Charles van Berckel Viren Walia Ann Morgan Karen Davies Robin Johnston Lance Collins
Ruth Allison joined our therapy team in April as a senior physiotherapist. Ruth comes to us from Plymouth with over 20 years NHS paediatric experience. She has been a qualified Bobath therapist since 1993 and has already worked with some of our therapists during training workshops in Plymouth. “I’m Athena really enjoying the opportunity to work here,” Ruth says. “It is a real privilege and everyone has made me feel very welcome.” Helen Seeberan and Athena Logothetis both joined the Bobath therapy team in January. Helen qualified as a physiotherapist in 2000 and completed her Bobath training in 2008. She previously worked in community services in Hertfordshire. “I feel extremely lucky to have joined the team at Bobath,” she says. “They have been so supportive and inspiring. I’m looking forward to continuing my learning and development here.” Athena has been a qualified occupational therapist since 2004 and completed her Bobath training in Athens in 2007. She previously worked with children in the community and premature babies in a special care unit in Coventry. “I’m really happy to join the team,” says Athena. “I’m looking forward to developing my treatment skills and learning lots from the families I meet – and my new colleagues!”
Play brings progress Staff at the Bobath Centre have been running workshops for local therapists to show how “playfulness” can be used in therapy. Like many of the courses we offer, the workshops involved demonstrations with local children. Under supervision from Bobath staff, therapists on the course were encouraged to work with children and their families to identify goals relating to play. A month or two after the course, a follow-up session was held for therapists to discuss their development. Bobath tutor Heather Holgate led the workshops. “It’s great to be able to see the progress that has been made by both children
Ruth and Helen
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SPRING
2011
Supermarket support
Japanese tsunami
Local supermarket Budgens is raising money by having collection boxes at their checkout points. So far we have counted over £360 in loose change. Is there a shop or office near you that will take a collection box? Let us know and we’ll send you a box.
The Bobath Centre has strong links with Japan and we were saddened by the recent earthquake and the tsunami that followed. Christine Barber, director of therapy services, visited the Bobath Memorial Hospital in Osaka only last year. She said, “From what I have been able to find out, all of our colleagues are safe, but they will have friends and family who have been affected by the disaster. We send our thoughts and best wishes to them.”
Remembering Judy Spring has been a welcome arrival at the Centre and our greenfingered therapist Xanthe took advantage of the recent good weather to help get the gardens ready for summer.
Xanthe hard at work
We will soon be planting a cherry tree in the staff garden in memory of Judy Murray, who worked at the Centre as an occupational therapist for over 40 years. We know many of our families will remember her fondly; if you would like to make a contribution to her memorial fund, please contact us.
Website update Our interim website went live at the end of January and plans for the new and improved Bobath website are now under way. We would welcome suggestions from our supporters. If you have any ideas on how to improve the ways we communicate online, please email enquiries@bobath.org.uk
No mean Fiat Tickets are now on sale for this year’s Great Big Small Charity Car Draw, and the prize is a brand new Fiat 500 Pop! You can order tickets online by going to our website and clicking on the purple logo, or buy them direct from us by calling Sarah on 020 8442 2275. Tickets are £2 each and all profits go to the Bobath Centre. The draw closes on 16th September and the winner will be announced on 25th October. Don’t miss out on a chance to win this lovely little car and support us at the same time.
Skipping success Thank you to nine year-old Lola Hamilton and her friends Tabitha Barnett and Fleur Sawday at Haberdasher Aske Girls’ School for raising money for the Bobath Centre in their sponsored skip recently. Lola, whose little sister Ruby is a regular patient at the Centre, organised the skip-a-thon, which lasted half an hour and raised £14.50.
The Bobath Centre for Children with Cerebral Palsy does not directly endorse or recommend products or services advertised in Bobath News. We advise that you speak to your Bobath therapist before purchasing a therapy-related product or service. All copy and images, unless otherwise stated, are owned by the Bobath Centre and cannot be used without permission.
Contact us Editor - Kevin Gillespie Assistant editor - Sarah Smith Editorial and advertising enquiries: 020 8442 2276 or email kevin.gillespie@bobath.org.uk 250 East End Road, London N2 8AU 020 8444 3355 Bobath Centre for Children with Cerebral Palsy, Registered charity 229663 Bobath Centre for Adults with Neurological Disability, Registered charity 1039162. ©The Bobath Centre 2011