Prader Willi Syndrome

We were a bit late with our summer fun day this year. It actually took place last Friday, 24^th September. Anyway, we all traipsed over to the good old ‘Tin Hut’ for a day of activities and socialising.

 

There were outdoor activities aplenty and the weather was kind enough to stay dry until we were all inside for lunch.

 

After lunch we had a couple of drinks from the bar and some further fun and games but this time indoors.

 

Many thanks to Kim and Alan (Day Services) for organising the games and activities and to Sue (Manager, Bishops Way) for her hard work in preparing lunch which was appreciated and enjoyed by all.

 

Next do must be Christmas!!

We are delighted to announce that Gayle has been asked by the PWSA (UK), and has accepted, an invitation to join the Planning Group for the Caregivers and Educators part of the conference.  This conference, for those who are not aware, will be held in Cambridge in July 2013.

 

Gayle is excited about the prospect of being involved in the planning stages and working with professionals from other parts of the world.

 

Here at New Directions, we will have a group of people with PWS from our homes staying in the Cambridge area to attend their conference and get involved in any activities, and, of course, staff supporting them and participating in the relevant sections of the International Conference.

 

We all looking forward to the International conference being held in the UK and therefore giving the opportunity for so many people from this part of the world to attend.

 

For further information on the conference, please go to PWSA website at www.pwsa.co.uk

David Palmer and Gayle travelled over to Brighton and Hove last Saturday (18^th September) to support the PWSA with their family day.

 

Although many people had difficulty finding the venue, as the Sat Nav sent us to the wrong of the Crescent, a group of approximately 18 of us got together for networking, information exchange and a social afternoon. There were activities laid on for the children and young adults with PW and their siblings and refreshments (all of a healthy eating nature) for all.

 

David and Gayle both enjoyed the afternoon and look forward to further gatherings in the South East of England.

10 of our Service Users have received their certificates for taking part in the IPWSO Virtual Art Gallery which was displayed at the international conference in Taipei last May. There were entrants from all 4 homes and thanks also must go to the Day Service Coordinators who assisted in photographing the work in order that it may be emailed.

 

The holders of the certificates are all very proud of their work and the recognition.

A cheque from Senlac Rotary club for £500 was raised for the PWSA by their Jazz afternoon (See our news item of 5^th August 2010).

 

Peter Stiles, President of Senlac Rotary Club, who presented the cheque, is a retired Optician. He did his training with Peter Warren who wrote ‘Vision and Care of the Eyes in Prader Willi Syndrome’ and they have remained friends, visiting each other’s homes. Peter had his Opticians in Battle East Sussex and when we opened Bishops Croft in Robertsbridge Peter was their Optician. As he is the president of Senlac Rotary there may be other fundraising opportunities.

 

Our thanks, and we are sure those of the PWSA, are passed to Senlac Rotary.

It was a wet and windy day at times. Girls out Loud were the only all girls team finished 53^rd out of 54 entrants and achieved the record of the slowest time ever in the history of the Dragon Boat Race. They made marked improvements in the next two races to move up one position.

 

Neville and Gwen Newham, whose daughter resides at Bishops Corner, and support all the local events, indeed the fact that Senlac Rotary Club have raised funds for the PWSA is largely due to their daughter Louise being known to their chairperson, made the effort to turn out on this rather unpleasant Saturday to support the Girls Out Loud team. We were delighted when they won one of the signed autobiography books donated by Jo Brand from our tombola.

 

It was also very nice to see Jean Phillips-Martinsson attend the later stages of the proceedings and speak with members of the team and supporters.

 

There will be further reports and pictures on our web-site in due course.

 

Well done Sanch and your team we are all very proud of you.

 

The current total raised is £4920, with possibly more to come.

Although we only ran a car wash in July, the Service Users at Bishops Lodge had badgered Mandy into doing it all over again. All proceeds to PWSA. See poster below. Pictures to follow next week!

Activ Hastings is a website which describes itself as an online guide to Hastings. Gayle, David and Sanchia met with Mark Bradley from Activ Hastings on Tuesday. Mark has kindly put an article on the website about New Directions and in particular promoting our fundraising for PWSA at the Dragon Boat Race on 11th September. Anybody wishing to see the article, and all the other useful information and news on this website should go to http://www.activhastings.com/News/detail/NewDirectionsDragonBoatTeamAnnounced-1660.html

Thank you to Mark for promoting this event.

An article has also appeared today in the Hastings Observer.

We are pleased to announce that the Employee of the Month for August 2010 is Leslie Reid from Bishops Way.

Leslie has achieved her NVQ Level 3 during the month and is a helpful and reliable member of the Bishops Way team.

Congratulations Leslie!