West Yorkshire Branch February 2021 - MND Association
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West Yorkshire Branch
February 2021
THE WEST YORKSHIRE BRANCH SUPPORT FOR CARERS ON THE MND
ASSOCIATION WEBSITE
CARING FOR CARERS https://www.mndassociation.org/support-and-
information/for-carers/support-for-carers/
BOOKS FOR CARERS
The Branch has recently purchased
How do I look after myself?
books using some of the grant we
Where can I find wellbeing activities?
received from the National Lottery
What are my rights as a carer?
Community Fund. These books are
How do I get a carer's assessment?
available to those of you who are caring
What support is available?
for loved ones. We currently have two
What support does the MND Association provide?
titles available for you to keep, both of which
How do I manage being employed as well as the
provide support and guidance in very different
caring role?
ways.
Are there any benefits I can claim?
The Carer's Handbook by Jane Matthews -
What happens in the future, when I'm no longer a
Essential information and support for all those in a
carer?
caring role.
Carer wellbeing activities including -
Amazon abbrev. “This indispensable guide aims to
Tai Chi Qigong Relaxation & Wellbeing with Julia
be a one-stop-shop for those who find themselves
Mitchell / MND Wellbeing Series
in a caring role. This book will also help carers care
Find this on the MND Association Support for
for themselves. It looks at the difficult feelings that
Carers page or You Tube.
go hand in hand with caring, including how
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0DcMuOss2
relationships are affected. There's guidance on
U&feature=emb_logo
what to do when a carer stops coping, and how to
prepare emotionally and practically for the time
THE KIRKWOOD & MND JOIN FORCES FOR
when caring comes to an end.”
CARERS
The Selfish Pig's Guide to Caring by Hugh
As we remain in the situation that
Marriott - How to cope with the emotional and
face-to-face group meetings are
practical aspects of caring for someone.
not possible, our branch is
Amazon abbrev. “Six million people in the UK,
working with The Kirkwood, a
provide unpaid care for disabled or elderly
hospice based in the
relatives, friends or neighbours. Their job is long,
Huddersfield area, to run on-line
lonely and hard, yet there is limited support and no
support sessions for carers via Zoom. These will
formal training. As a result, carers suffer frequent
be blocks of 8 weekly sessions, each lasting 90
damage to physical and mental health. Oddly,
minutes, for a maximum of 8 people, including a
though carers by definition are anything but selfish
highly trained counsellor from The Kirkwood, who
pigs, they are liable to feelings of guilt, probably
will be facilitating.
brought on by fatigue and isolation. So Hugh
The intention is that these sessions will provide a
Marriott’s aim is to bring into the open everything
safe environment to share feelings, information,
he wishes he'd been told when he first became a
ideas and to promote wellbeing. Life as a carer is
carer. The book airs such topics as sex, thoughts
an emotional roller coaster. Sharing with those in
of murder, and dealing with the responses of
similar situations makes a difference.
friends and officials who fail to understand.”
Our first group started early January and
If you would like one or both, please contact Karen
feedback after the first session has been very
Merrey or Jackie Johnson by phone or email, and
positive. If you are interested in participating in
we will get them sent out to you. See contact
future groups or would like further information,
details on page 4.
please contact Karen or Jill. We would love to
If anybody is aware of any other books for carers
hear from you.
that have proved helpful, please let us know.
Karen kmerrey@hotmail.com 01977277190
Jill 01484 681586
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WORKSHOPS FOR CARERS WITH A SPEAKER AREA SUPPORT CO-ORDINATOR
MICHELLE MALOUF
In the years I’ve been working
with people living and affected by
MND I have never witnessed the
difficulties and emotional strain
these last eleven months have
presented carers with. MND is
hard enough without the added
pressure of minimal family or
friend contact, loneliness,
frustration, lack of practical supports… the list is
endless.
During 2021 the West Yorkshire Branch intends to Being a carer can be so many things but the love,
host some workshops and much of this will be the loss and the loneliness can be overwhelming,
focussed on carers via Zoom. These will consist it’s often hard for friends and family to comprehend
of one-off sessions where there will be a speaker what you’re going through.
on a particular topic, for example claiming benefits, In Yorkshire we’re known for our good old Northern
legal matters, wellbeing. You will be invited to grit but digging deep every day can be tough. The
attend to gain information and a chance to ask local support provided in our beautiful part of the
questions. world comes in a variety of ways and if you are a
Karen and Jill are interested to hear any ideas you carer I’d encourage you to stay in touch, join the
may have of topics we could cover within these coffee morning, join the social media’s sites, have
sessions. a chat now and again, read the resources. No
Karen kmerrey@hotmail.com 01977277190 matter what your circumstances; working, age,
Jill 01484 681586 culture, home schooling, not-tech savvy etc there
will be a way we can support you.
WHAT’S HAPPENNING INSTEAD OF CARERS The West Yorkshire branch of the MND
MONTHLY MEETINGS? Association can’t provide everything you need, but
Our monthly meets for cuppa they, and I, can lend a listening and experienced
and chat at Cedar Court Hotel, ear, please call any of us. The volunteers running
Wakefield have been on hold this branch are some of finest and most dedicated
for nearly a year now due to people I’ve ever worked alongside, they know
Covid. We try to keep in touch where you’re at, they understand what you’re
as best we can via Zoom, going through.
phone calls, texts and emails Stay safe,
but none of these are as good Michelle
as meeting in person. If you are caring for Area Support Coordinator
someone with MND and would like a chat, whether Tel: 01604 800619
to share issues that you are experiencing, have a michelle.malouf@mndassociation.org
moan, ask for information, or just need to talk to
someone, do give Karen or Jill a call. They are MND BENEFITS ADVICE SERVICE
happy to keep in touch and even if they cannot If you are living with MND or a carer, and you need
help, if you have a problem, they will probably be guidance about benefits, contact the Benefits
able to point you in the direction of someone who Advice Service. The team of qualified advisers can
can. provide support by phone and e-mail in England,
Wales and Northern Ireland. ... The service can
CARERS ASSESSMENT help you identify available benefits and the best
If you care for someone, you can have an way of claiming them.
assessment to see what might help make your life https://www.mndassociation.org/wp-
easier. This is called a carer's assessment. content/uploads/guide-to-fundraising.pdf
A carer's assessment is free and anyone over 18
can ask for one. MND CONNECT
How to get a carer's assessment For help on any topic, including Carers contact the
Contact adult social services at your local council MND Helpline which offers advice and practical help
and ask for a carer's assessment. and emotional support.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and- Open Mon – Fri 9am to 5pm and 7pm to 10.30pm
support-guide/support-and-benefits-for- Tel: 0808 802 6262
carers/carer-assessments/ mndconnect@mndassociation.org.
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West Yorkshire Branch
February 2021
CARERS ORGANISATIONS IN LORD HALIFAX GOLF DAY
WEST YORKSHIRE On September 4th 2020, the Lord Halifax Golf Day
Supporting unpaid Carers in West Yorkshire by was held at the Ogden Golf Course. This event
providing advice and information. These was organised by the Three Banks Masonic Lodge
organisations are not necessarily knowledgeable where Graham Fielding is currently the Master.
about MND but are an invaluable source of generic Graham has been a friend of Craig Smith, a past
information for Carers. Lodge Master, for many years, from schooldays,
Carers Count Kirklees through the forces and the Metropolitan Police
Tel: 0300012 0231 Force. Around three years ago Craig was
http://www.carerscount.org.uk/ diagnosed with MND and since this time the Lodge
Carers Leeds members have held events to raise money for the
Tel: 01133084300 Association. In June the Ladies Golf Event had to
http://www.carersleeds.org.uk/ be cancelled but in previous years all funds raised
Carers Resource Bradford/Keighley/Ilkley went to the Association. Are you wondering about
Tel: 01274 449660 the Lord Halifax title? This was a nickname given
http://carersresource.org/ to Craig during his period in the RAF and has stuck
Carers Trust Mid Yorkshire ever since. The Lord Halifax Golf Trophy, has
Tel: 01484537036 become an annual event; the first, in 2019, raised
www.carerstrustmidyorkshire.org.uk £3000.00+ for the MND Association. The 2020
Carers Wakefield & District event was held in September, along with the
Tel: 01924305544 auction of Rugby kit donated by an England rugby
http://www.carerswakefield.org.uk/ player and a donated holiday worth £1,000. The
grand total after all costs for this 2020 event was
Ask about the Carers Assessment, every Carer is £7500.00, including Gift Aid reclaimed by Richard
entitled to one. They may offer help to complete Streater through the Lodge Relief Chest. This
any forms. amount was split between the MND Association
and Overgate Hospice. Thank you very much for
NEWS OF A FUNDRAISING WALK IN MARCH your kind donations over the years.
On March 27th, around 100 people are walking
part or all of 25miles from Oulton Community THE THOMSON FAMILY’S 150 MILES
Sports Club in Leeds to where Shane and Julie To raise
Whittaker live in Huddersfield. Shane was money for
diagnosed with MND in September 2018. the Motor
Samantha Longley, Shane’s cousin has organised Neurone
this walk to raise funds for the MND Association Disease
and to raise awareness. Rumour has it, a Leeds Association,
Rhino’s player will be walking too. Fundraising the
currently at £2,500 Thank you to all their Thomson
supporters. family
challenged
WALK TAKING PLACE IN AUSUST themselves
Selina Shaw has planned a walk for August 7th, to walk 150 miles during the second lockdown.
the 5th Anniversary of when her Dad Victor passed John Thomson was diagnosed with MND eight
away. A group of friends, all Manchester United years ago. At a time when he should be enjoying
fans, will be walking the 25 miles between St his life and spending time with his family, he has
John’s Church Golcar, Huddersfield to the Old instead, been shielding with his wife & full-time
Trafford football stadium. Plenty of time for lots of carer, Lorraine. His daughters, Emma and Keri
practice walks to build up stamina before the real have been their support, supplying food and
thing in August. No negative football related medicines etc. Between them they have raised a
comments please! fabulous £5,305.
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/victorshaw
3 | Page Charity No. 294354
LEEDS TO LIVERPOOL CANAL WALK SECRET SELFIES RAISED FUNDS FOR MND
PHIL WARD
Phil Ward walked along
the Leeds Liverpool canal
from his new home in
Skipton to his old house
in Bradford; a distance of
17 miles. He says, “This
is a significantly greater
challenge for me now
than it would have been
three years ago. I can’t
climb big mountains
anymore, run around
Newcastle dressed as a
tap or jump out of aeroplanes at 14,000, however,
I want to do as much as I can, while I can to raise Deb Mercer tells us that the very busy Clinical
vital funds for the MND Association to enable Site Managers (CSM, Night Matrons to you and
them to continue supporting people like me. Phil me), her colleagues at Leeds Teaching Hospitals,
has managed to raise a whopping £3,350. We raised £400 for the MND Association with a
would like to see the picture of you dressed as a Secret Selfie Competition. Instead of giving each
tap! other Christmas presents, they gave money for
research and to help families living with MND.
ALAN FULCHER MODELLING THE ORIGINAL Thank you to Andrea Galley for organising the
AND VERY STYLISH WY’s FACE COVERING. event. The winners of the CSM 2020 Christmas
Selfie Competition were Fiona Hewitt for her
Reindog, and Fiona White for risking
electrocution. Appropriately, trophies awarded
were in the form of loo rolls. What else?
VIRTUAL GET-TOGETHERS on ZOOM
11.00am – 12.30pm
February Friday 19th
March Friday 19th
April Friday 16th
Contact Sue Starkey for joining code or link.
It’s good to keep in touch with the West
Yorkshire Branch Family. If you’ve not zoomed
before it’s quite easy to do – we are all learning
Anyone wishing to purchase a mask, please new skills.
contact the Branch for availability and price.
AGM Saturday March 13th More info to follow.
IN MEMORY OF GRAHAM COX
West Yorks Branch Chair: Karen Merrey
On the 5th of December kmerrey@hotmail.com 07714338992
Leanda Cox ran a Secretary & Treasurer: Sue Starkey
marathon, it should have sstarkey1@sky.com 07704245632
been her Dad, Graham Branch Contact & Newsletter: Jackie Johnson
Cox’s birthday, however keynote10@virginmedia.com 07889523793
he had passed away just
before the day. Leanda West Yorkshire Branch Motor Neurone
however, decided to carry Disease Association
on with her first marathon
to raise awareness and funds for the MND
Association. In memory of her ‘lovely Dad’, she https://twitter.com/mnda_westyorks
raised £540. Watch for more challenges from
Leanda later in the year.
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