We also asked those who came to ABI Cafe what they thought of the service.  One encouraging comment seemed to sum up the importance of this group . . . "We have found out more info about access to support agencies for ABI in the last 30 mins than we have in the last three years since the stroke happened."  (Lorraine)

Everyone is looking forward to the Seminar being run by Ceartas and Headway on 17th May and hopes that it will indeed raise awareness of ABI in the area.  ABI Seminar, Thursday 17 May from 2-4pm, McGregor House, 10 Donaldson Cres, Kirkintilloch.  Book by phone 0141 775 0433 or by emailing pthomson@ceartas.org.uk

STILL GAME MEMBERS . . . HARD AT WORK!

ACTION FOR BRAIN INJURY WEEK 14-20 MAY 2012

Ceartas Advocacy and Headway Glasgow are planning an Acquired Brain Injury Seminar on Thursday 17 May from 2-4pm in the Auditorium at McGregor House, 10 Donaldson Cres, Kirkintilloch, G66 1XF.   The Key  Speaker will be Prof Tom McMillan, Professor of Clinical Neuropsychology at the Institute of Health and Wellbeing.  He will speak about this hidden disability, the clinical effects, the prevalence of brain injury and potential discrimination.   The seminar aims to raise awareness of acquired brain injury locally and is suitable for those directly affected, carers, the public, those working in Health, Social Work and Voluntary Sector organisations.  Ceartas and Headway will give information about the work they are doing with people who have abi and there will be infomation available from other organisations as well.  The Seminar is free, but booking is essential.  To book call Pam Thomson at Ceartas on 0141 775 0433 or email on pthomson@ceartas.org.uk

For further details click here:  ABI Seminar – POSTER.

Fiona gave an overview of some of the recent changes to care in Scotland and discussed a number of topics which were of interest to the group.

Fiona also spoke about the following:

• Gas/Electricity Efficiency – The Energy Assistance Package is no longer ‘means tested’ but dependent on ‘energy efficiency’ and therefore available to anyone.
• She is aware of the difficulties surrounding Homecare and encouraged anyone experiencing difficulty to contact her directly.
• She offered to raise a motion in Parliament about recognising Acquired Brain Injury.
• She also offered the group tickets for Prime Minister’s Question Time.

The group really appreciated Fiona’s visit as well as her offer to distribute posters for the Acquired Brain Injury Seminar on 17^th May 2012.

In other news: some of the group stated that they would be interested in attending a Universal Comedy ‘Taster Session’. Universal Comedy is an organisation which aims to help people with long-term conditions to increase their confidence through comedy. 

The group have a Seagull Trust Canal Trip planned on Friday 13^th July 2012 at 11.00am.

An Acquired Brain Injury seminar is planned for Thursday 17^th May 2012 between 2-4pm at the Ceartas Auditorium. Further details are available from Pam Thomson.

The Still Game Service User Group met again on Tuesday 6th March 2012. Anna, our social work student, answered questions from the group about her plans to become a social worker. Anna also worked with the group on the next stage of recording their "Journey with Ceartas" stories. Several members of the group have agreed to have their advocacy stories filmed for use in Ceartas presentations, training and publicity. The group also made some plans for a Ceilidh to be held later in the year to raise awareness of Ceartas and had a discussion on piloting a drop-in advocacy cafe. Those who had been at the PATH Development Day fed back to the group about what visions and plans had come out of that.

On Tuesday 21st February, 7 people who have experience of Ceartas services, along with staff and Board members, met for a Development Day at the Ceartas offices. This day was facilitated by David Douglas and Ramon from Heartfelt. On the day, a graphic PATH (Planning Alternative Tomorrow's with Hope) was drawn on the wall which captured the vision of service users for their lives. They also explored how Ceartas could support them to move towards accomplishing these visions. Everyone enthusiastically contributed to the day which was great fun and really encouraging for everyone. Ceartas, along with service users and volunteers, have already begun to carry out some of the proposed actions which included: piloting a drop-in advocacy cafe, setting up a task group to look at employment issues, hosting an open day for health and social work professionals, getting topical articles into local press and several other actions. If anyone would like to know more about this day or would like to support Ceartas and the service users in fulfilling these actions, please contact us.