In touch

Reading, Wokingham and Districts Branch Newsletter
Lambing Event disrupted by weather ~ full report page 7

March/April 2008

Visit the London Eye

Branch AGM 31st May 2008

Agenda and Accounts with this In touch
See page 3 for more information

BLUEBELL WALKS

26th & 27th APRIL As always we need your help to make this event a success. Display the enclosed poster - call Shirley on if you would like more. Bake some cakes - if you are unable to do this yourself, why not ask a friend or relative? You must know at least one person who could help! Give us an hour or two of your time during the weekend we need helpers to man the gate, serve teas, clear tables and help in the car park.
Please ring Rose on if you can help.
The appalling weather didnt prevent these lambs from putting in an appearance but sadly it did play havoc with our Lambing Weekend. Lets hope for much better weather for the Bluebell Walks so that we get a really good turnout and a big boost to the funds! Membership subscriptions are now overdue, if you havent paid yet, please do so without delay. To keep up-to-date with Branch news and events, visit our website: w w w. m s r e a d i n g. o r g. u k

2 Fundraising

Fundraising got off to a fantastic start at Tesco's in Reading. Despite a double booking with another charity our collectors raised a brilliant 574.88. This was followed by a successful collection at ASDA in Lower Earley. A total of 815.72 was raised despite everyone being evacuated because of the fire alarm during Friday afternoon! Our collection at Morrisons in Reading yielded a very healthy 465.75. A big THANK YOU to all those who collected. Your help is very much appreciated. Please ring me on if you can help with our forthcoming collections. We really must make the most of these opportunities to raise funds, particularly as we have raised much less than usual at Lambing.

Gwen Burke

RECYCLE TO RAISE FUNDS
Did you know that you can raise funds for the national MS Society by recycling your used printer cartridges and old mobile phones? To obtain a supply of freepost envelopes in which to send your items, you can either call: quoting The MS Society Recycling Appeal or go to the website: w w w. i n k a g a i n. c o. u k / c h a r i t y/ mssociety

EVERYCLICK UPDATE

Since the last issue of In touch the number of people using everyclick to raise funds for The MS Society has doubled! Thank you to all those who have signed up but we still need more people to take part. It really is very simple, just visit: w w w. e ve r yc l i c k. c o m 1. Click on Become a fundraiser 2. Type MS Society in the search box + enter 3. Click on Multiple Sclerosis Society 4. Click on Start fundraising Fill in the short on-line registration form and you will now raise funds every time you search the internet. If you have already signed up you can let others know about everyclick by clicking on the spread the word link on the everyclick homepage.

CAKE BREAK

MS Cake Break day takes place during MS Awareness week and this year will be on Friday 25th April. However you can host a Cake Break anytime - its a delicious way to raise funds! You can register for a Cake break Hosts Pack on our Branch website: w w w. m s r e a d i n g. o r g. u k - j u s t follow the link on the home pa g e.

Out and About

HEALTH WALKS
As the better weather is coming why not get out and enjoy the fresh air. If you are in a wheelchair or have limited mobility - take a carer or friend along and youll both feel the benefits. The following are health walks which are suitable for those with disabilities. Dinton Pastures - Tuesday 10:00 - 11:00 am Easy, suitable for all abilities - meet in car park - suitable for wheelchair and scooter users and carers. For further information, please contact: Emma Tweed on 2016. Prospect Park - Thursday 9:45 -11:15 am Mixed ability group - meet in car park suitable for wheelchairs, walking aids, scooters and carers. For further information, please contact: Peter Drew-Clifton on 6105. Palmer Park - Thursday 10:00 - 11:00 am Mixed ability group - meet in stadium car park - suitable for wheelchairs, walking aids, scooters and carers. For further information, please contact: Baldev on 3200. Palmer Park - Friday 10:30 - 11:30 am - 30 minutes walk + 30 minutes refreshments - for disabled adults - meet in stadium car park - suitable for wheelchairs, walking aids, scooters and carers. For further information, please contact: Joanna OConnor on 3200.

Thanks to Jacqueline McKenzie for this article ~ Ed

Rotary Club of Newbury

ANNUAL SPONSORED WALK Sunday 1st June 2008

4 or 8 miles

(Including treasure hunt) Starting times: 12.00 13.00 hours At Snelsmore Common, Nr Newbury The money you raise goes directly to your own good cause. (Suggested 1 per person contribution to cover Rotary Club costs) Good walking surface. Dogs can come too but on leads please owing to wild animals, nesting & fledgling birds To obtain a sponsor form contact: Chris Bartlam Email: cbartlam@mixingsolutions.com

LONDON EYE TRIP

Get a birds eye view of London why not join a minibus trip to the London Eye this summer. To sign up or find out more, please give Bob Davies a call on 947 6994.

4 Support

Hello Everyone, Im writing this on the day of the predicted big storm. The wind is howling and the rain is hammering at the windows. My thoughts are with those of you who may be living on your own. If you have any damage that is not covered by insurance let me know, as we may be able to help. The MS Society National Centre is building a case for improved services for people with MS. If you have experienced poor service of any kind from your Social Services/ Community Care team recently, please let me know. By the time you read this, Easter will have come and gone. I do hope you had a happy time. I trust you didn't overdo the SUPPORT GRANTS chocolate (like I did!). Isn't it wonderful that chocolate is actually good for you? We have a system of financial assistance in the form of grants, Take care and God Bless, available to anyone with MS who Heather needs help. In the past we have helped people improve their quality of life by providing grants towards MS SPECIALIST OTs holidays, power chairs, scooters, stair Those of you who live in Wokingham lifts, school trips, university expenses, Borough and West Berks now have the replacement floorings, cookers etc. services of Occupational Therapists To comply with the Charity who specialize in MS. See the Contact Commission, we are unable to Details page for names, telephone award grants to anyone with more numbers etc. You may not realise that than 16,000 in accessible savings. these posts have been jointly funded You will need to complete an by the MS Society (including our application form, unless you are Branch) and the local authority. receiving Income Support or People who live in these areas should Pension Credit, but I can help you to find that services have improved complete the form. considerably and access to their OT is much quicker and easier. If this has Please dont feel shy about asking for not been your experience, please let help - thats why we are here! me know! We are now working with Reading Borough Council to jointly fund a similar post in Reading Borough. Hopefully, people in Reading will find the same improvements. Watch this space!

RESEARCH NEWS

I have information on various aspects of research, ring me if you are interested. Alternatively the national MS website: ww w. m s s o c i e t y. o r g. u k carries a wealth of information on all types of research.

Heather Cresswell 5

SPORTS and SOCIAL CLUB
WINDSOR ASCOT MAIDENHEAD DISTRICT SPORTS ASSOCIATION for the DISABLED (WAMDSAD) is a sports club for disabled people and their families and carers. It is based in Maidenhead but people from the Reading and Wokingham areas are welcomed. It is easily reached via the A4 or M4. They provide a whole range of sports and leisure activities and the facilities are some of the best in the country. Activities include archery, athletics, cricket, golf, pool, board games, fishing, rowing, sailing, swimming, table tennis and a whole lot more. Membership is 15 per year and then all the activities are free! To find out more call or visit their excellent website: w w w. wa m d s a d. c o. u k. I also have some leaflets if anyone would like one.

YOUNG at HEART?

As you might expect the Maidenhead Branch make good use of the facilities at WAMDSAD for fundraising and social and activities. One of their groups may be of interest to some our members: The 18 to 40ish Group are a group who are young or young at heart with a positive outlook. They meet for conversation, a good laugh and of course, friendly support. The group meets at on the second Tuesday evening of each month at 7:30 in the bar at the WAMDSAD Clubhouse. Call me to find out more.

MSquared

Having been surprised to find the bar and reception area closed for redecoration in January, we were back at the newly refurbished Holiday Inn in March. The Hotel now has a larger meeting area with more tables and chairs for our group to re-arrange! The Chinese meal at Keis Peking restaurant in February was much enjoyed with a good selection of traditional fare to tempt us and good service. Our get together on April 24th is at the Calcot Hotel for a Quiz n Dine The quiz is a table team effort on a wide

Lynda and Gill

variety of topics which follows a good choice of main courses and desserts. We aim to be back at the Holiday Inn in May for regular chit chat and a BBQ is being planned for June so, no rain dances please! We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at our events and we welcome new faces. Please ring if you need any more information on our social evenings is needed or if transport is a problem. Gill Worsdall Lynda Coldwell 969 2527

6 Chairmans Report

Hello everyone,

John Gaff

Since January my wife and I have been fully occupied dodging plasterers, painters, carpenters, plumbers, electricians and various other tradesmen and their foremen. In addition we have had to open Caf Gaff to keep them fuelled up with tea, coffee and biscuits. But its all in a good cause because we are nearly ready to put the house back together. How did you fare with the storms on 9 and 10 March? I must admit we had a little twinge of worry about flooding but thankfully were unaffected this time. Drop-In regulars benefited from two outings in February. Two parties visited the Madjeski Stadium and were shown round most of the facilities. Then a party visited Addington School to listen to and take part in Senegalese tribal music. The music involved drums, a sort of harp and voices. We were each given a drum and encouraged to join in with the musicians. It was lively, colourful and we all had a thumping good time. The committee is always trying to find new entertainment opportunities that are suitable for all Branch members including M Squared. For example we plan to have a Big Band Concert in July at the Blue Coat School. More details as soon as they become available. The audit of the Branch accounts has been completed and submitted to the National Centre. Once again the accounts have been approved and accepted. A copy of the figures is enclosed with this In touch and I will be presenting the Treasurers Report at the AGM on Saturday 31st May - dont forget to put the date in your diary. As you will read on the adjoining page our lambing weekend was severely hampered by the weather and I would like to thank Rosemary, Peter and everyone who pitched in on both weekends and during the week in between - it really was a sterling effort in very difficult circumstances. Keep well, and remember a smile a day keeps you cheerful. John

KATHLEEN BLOOMFIELD

Sadly, Kathleen passed away on 23rd January. One of the founding members of the Branch, she was a member for 45 years and had been a great supporter. She was a talented lady who never let her MS get her down. Although her hands were weak she kept many hobbies going including sewing, card-making, painting and gardening from her wheelchair. For the past 10 years she had lived in the Berkshire Nursing Home but she maintained contact with the Branch via her very good friends, Maureen and Jim Fisher who saw her regularly and who will miss her very much.

Lambing Report

Rose Tocock 7
As always, the two weeks leading up to the Lambing Weekend were a frenzy of activity - there was a mountain of shopping to be done, signs to be printed and put up, the rota to be finalised and many other tasks to ensure the smooth running of our biggest fundraising event. Saturday the 15th dawned with blue sky and sunshine and we looked forward to an exhausting but successful weekend. Carloads of eager children arrived and the car park began to fill, lambs were being born and everyone was having fun. Then it began to rain and it rained and then it rained some more. By the afternoon we were pushing cars out of the parking field which had turned into a quagmire. It became clear that unless there was a miracle, it would not be possible to go ahead on Sunday. The heavy rain continued all evening and by 11pm, the decision was made to cancel. So on Sunday morning Peter Grove was out again putting up signs this time saying Lambing Cancelled. Shirley managed to get onto local radio to try to prevent people from coming. The rest of our stalwart helpers put on their bravest faces and cleared everything away. And that was that, or so we thought.then on Monday morning I received a call from Lindsay Bishop suggesting we try again on Easter Sunday. I jumped at the chance and once again rallied the troops. At this point, I must a say special thanks to Peter who is a fantastic support; to my Rangers and friends, Janet and Gwen, John Litchfield, Shirley (our media queen) who managed to get on the radio again to publicise this extra day; to Dave, Jason and Maggie for car parking; Bill Cresswell and Bob Davies for putting up new posters and to all those who helped in any way. Easter Sunday was a very cold day and considerably less busy than the usual Lambing Sunday. Nonetheless it was still a success and was enjoyed by all who came. The total raised over both days was 10552.84. As always we are extremely grateful to John and Lindsay and all their helpers for giving so much of their time over the two weekends. Please try to help with the Bluebell Walks - details are on the front page. Just to put on my Regional hat for a moment, look out for the regional newsletter which will be with you soon - look out also for details of a Family Fun Day which will be taking place in August. I hope to see you at our AGM. Rose

8 Partners & Carers Club

Heather Cresswell

We really enjoyed our meal at the Toby Carvery in Reading. The food was excellent and we came out feeling very full, relaxed, happy and more ready and prepared to get back to our various caring roles. We are now looking forward to testing our ten pin bowling skills at the March meeting. On the 9th April we will once again meet in the Atrium bar at the Madejski Hotel for a light lunch, social and discussion. Our get together on 14th May will be at Hodge Podge in Twyford. Once again we will be creating amazing works of art with pottery painting. Even the self confessed artistically challenged among us, enjoy this! On 11th June, to celebrate National Carers Week, we are lunching at the Riverside Bar then taking a boat trip on the Thames? If you are a partner or Carer of someone with MS we would be delighted if you would join us there or at any of our other meetings, of course). We meet on the second Wednesday of every month, from 12:30 to 2:30pm. All our activities are free of charge (including meals). We can provide transport and a sitter for your loved one if necessary. Contact me on 9311017 for info.

EMERGENCY HELP SCHEME

Do you worry about what would happen to the person you care for if you have an accident, are ill or have a personal crisis? The PRT Carers Service and Reading Crossroads are working in partnership with Reading and Wokingham Borough Councils to ensure unpaid carers can have help in an emergency. Carers will be able to ring a dedicated helpline any time day or night, 365 day a year. When necessary, Crossroads will send a fully trained carer support worker to the cared for person, or will summon other support as indicated in the emergency plan. For further help and information about the emergency scheme contact Reading Crossroads Emergency Careline on 0118 9505177

NEW SERVICE FOR CARERS

The PRT Carers Service now offers a local drop-in service for carers in the Wokingham area who may find it difficult to visit the Carers Centre in Reading. It will be held every third Wednesday of the month, from 10am to 12 noon at Brookside GP Surgery in Brookside Close, Earley. If you have any questions about your caring situation or just want some support and the opportunity to talk please call in. Contact Susan Iaccobucci on for more details.

Technology

Can you put your finger on it? Part two
In response to the last article about the difficulty of using most mobile phones because of their small size and over-complexity, several readers identified a more suitable phone, the ITT Easy Use Phone. Here are some of the features that they found useful: Easy to use oversized buttons Programmable instant memory buttons Easy to see white text on black Super loud speaker and volume, powerful vibration Digital hearing aid compatible Dimensions 5 x 2 x Available from 66 on contract or 85 on pay as you go.

Peter Grove 9

Another mobile phone with almost identical features is the Emporia Life. This Austrian designed mobile phone is aimed at senior citizens and those with eyesight, hearing and dexterity problems. It is slightly smaller than the ITT model measuring: 4 x 2 x 1 Available from 125 on contract or 145 on pay as you go. I have only been able to find these phones for sale from Matomobile: w w w. e a s yu s e p h o n e. c o. u k or phone 0845 2177712.
Please let me know if you have come across any mobile phones or other electronic gadgets which have features suitable for those with dexterity and/or sight problems. Dont forget you can recycle your old mobile phone. See page 2 for details

REMOTE CONTROLS

The TV, the video player, the DVD player, the set top box etc. etc. Chances are youll have a number of remote controls lying around. As we get more channels and more features we get more buttons and those buttons get smaller and closer together. The Lexibook Giant Universal Remote Control comes in at a whopping 11 inches high, has extra large buttons which are very easy to read. It can be programmed for use with up to six electronic items. The Branch is planning to purchase some of these for members to try out - if youd be interested giving one a try, please email: p e t e r g r o ve @ ta l k 2 1. c o m or give me a call on 984 2689.

Lambing Weekend 2008

BAA! What about me? Im cuddly too!
Visitors of all ages get cuddly with the lambs
Members of M Squared enjoying yet another meal Chinese, this time!