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New support group for staff working in the NHS
Staff
employed by Newcastle upon Tyne NHS Foundation Trust and caring
for a relative or friend with dementia will soon be able to
attend a new support group from January 2008 based at the Royal
Victoria Infirmary (RVI).
The
support group offers carers the chance to meet together with a
Carer Support Manager from the branch, to share experiences with
others and learn more about coping strategies. The support group
will meet on the 3rd Tuesday of each month.
Andrea
Lanaghan, Care Co-ordinator said: “In my role I support Trust
employees who are carers in their own right. As we all know it’s
often impossible for carers to make time for themselves let
alone balance their work with the difficulties of supporting
someone close to them with dementia. Offering the opportunity
for staff to attend a support group on site and during their
lunch break will be a great benefit.”
What motivates you to raise money for the
Alzheimer’s Society?
Anne Marr, Deacon at the Church of the Holy
Nativity in Chapel House, wanted to raise funds for a local
community project and the Alzheimer’s Society. She
made the brave decision to take part in
this year’s Great North Run for the first time. Anne said:
“At 61 and with no track record in any line
of sports, least of all running, I was a better bet as a
hope-raiser than a fund-raiser”. Anne put pen to paper
to write a moving account what motivated her to take part:
“I'm so not a runner, but...
I'm running for the 'forgotten tribes'
the people who get forgotten because they are
not inspiring news,
the people who are braver than the bravest
because they face what none of us want to,
the people who get forgotten because they
forget who you are,
the people who get
forgotten because they are too busy caring
to get out,
the people who get forgotten because they think
and behave oddly,
the people who go the extra mile for
others, unnoticed, unsung.
I'm run-walking as a witness to the belief that
the 'impossible' can sometimes be possible,
that the tortoise can complete the race
that if we care enough we can make a
difference for forgotten people
we can remember them and the Church of the
Holy Nativity, alongside the Alzheimer's Society, want to make a
difference”.
Anne’s
poem made such an impression she was interviewed for a film
being made telling the story of the Great North Run through the
stories of the runners to be shown before next year’s run. Keep
a look out!
Have you ever
considered being a media volunteer?
We
are looking for people with dementia, carers and family members
who are willing to share their own personal stories and
experiences with the local media.
If you think you
would be interested in giving interviews for local newspapers
and radio interviews please contact us at the branch on 0191 274
2727 or email:
alznewcastle@aol.com
Great North Run 2008
Congratulations to our team of runners who took part in this
year’s Great North Run to raise money and awareness for the
branch. We are now looking for runners to take part in next
year’s Great North Run on Sunday 5 October 2008. There
are two ways to join our team. You can either apply for your own
place or apply for one of the Society’s guaranteed places.
To obtain
a guaranteed place with the branch you must agree to raise the
minimum amount of sponsorship. All runners receive a free
t-shirt, information pack and sponsorship forms. Please contact
the branch for further information as soon as possible on 0191
274 2727 or email:
Alznewcastle@aol.com
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See also
