Tomorrow Speaking at The LINKS Event Record of Learning Launch

Hi

With great thanks to Mark Charlton for the kind invite to speak at this event 

You can get more info at the links below 

Sometimes information isn’t enough. Sometimes the referral systems are too difficult to navigate. Sometimes services are tricky to access. Sometimes the thought of walking in to a room is terrifying. Sometimes you don’t know where to go. Sometimes you don’t want to have to tell your story again and again and again. Sometimes it helps just to share your journey.

This is where links workers come in. The role of Links Workers, Community Connectors and Navigators is increasingly being recognised as a vital role in supporting people to live well in their community.
Across Scotland there are a number of innovative approaches that aim to support people to connect in to their local community assets. Many of these approaches see the primary care team as key to this approach.
This event will share learning across people and programmes interested in community-connected primary care and ‘links’ approaches and launch the Links Worker programme Record of Learning 
The day will be highly interactive and delegates will choose from a number of topic-based workshops where they can explore how other people and programmes are operating and what they are learning. If you are interested in speaking at this event or being involved in a workshop, please contact Mark Charlton, Programme Director. 
Sample workshops include:
Links Worker Knowledge and Skills
Recruiting for a Links Worker role
Evaluation approaches to a links programme
What do GP teams say?
To register your place please click here 
For more information, please contact:
Mark Charlton on 0141 404 0234 or email mark.charlton@alliance-scotland.org.uk

Guest Post Via Irene Oldfather - 3500 Pledges and Making A Difference

Hi 

I am very honored to share this guest piece from my friend ,Mentor and Alliance Director Irene Odlfather

3500 Pledges and Making A Difference  
          

As our number of pledges creeps towards 3,500 it is important to reflect on the difference that Tommy and the campaign are making.

With pledges from the First Minister to the student nurse, from consultants to carers, we collectively recognise that the voice of people with Dementia and their carers must be heard. That each of us has a role to play in taking small steps to make a big difference. In terms of our campaign that is 3,500 steps towards a better tomorrow for people like Tommy and his mum.

Terry Pratchett on receiving a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s said that he felt as though he was standing on the beach, that the tide was receding and that he felt totally alone. Loneliness, loss and isolation are recurring themes that we hear about the carer journey. Someone once described it to me, as though it was a pencil sketch, that was being rubbed out little by little every day with the nightmare that by the end there would be nothing there.

Living with dementia is a rollercoaster of emotional ups and downs that defy description. The sheer joy on a good day, when a glimpse of your loved one shines through and the dark shadow in the next hour, as that precious moment that you are desperately trying to hold onto, dissipates, in front of your eyes.

The isolation of lack of understanding – people can be unintentionally cruel, the loneliness of “not enough time”, the constant fear of loss and the worry of what tomorrow will bring.

Make a Difference highlights how little things – a touch, a helpful word, a listening ear can make carers feel that they can go the extra mile.

“A friend knows the song in my heart and sings it back to me when my memory fails”.

Let us all make a difference, let us each in our own way sing a song, be  a voice for someone with dementia.

As mums and dads, grans and grandpas, neighbours and friends, they have collectively given so much, all of their lives. Most stories that we hear from Carers are about love and sacrifice.

Make a Difference Campaign is an opportunity to give something back. Its not about fundraising, it’s not about passing exams or taking tests, it’s a small thing that you can do to give a voice to people with dementia, to hold a hand and be that smiling face, and that listening ear.

3,500 “thank you`s” from people with Dementia, their carers and the Dementia Carer Voices Team.

Irene Oldfather
@IreneOldfather
Director

   

Thanks for reading my blog, You can now view my 8 short flims here! http://tommy-on-tour-2011.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/my-mums-name-was-joan-this-is-our-story.html

Monday Speaking Self Management and Storytelling Networking Event March

I’ll tell you a story: Self Management and Storytelling Networking Event

Listen

Posted on 18 February 2015 by Lara Murray
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We will host another Self Management Network Scotland networking event on the 30th March 2015 at the University of Dundee.
We would like to invite you to the next Self Management Network Scotland networking event and the details of this are below.
Attending the event is free and anyone with an interest in self management is welcome to participate. Please feel free to circulate this invitation around your networks and to anyone who may be interested in attending.

I’ll tell you a story: Self Management and Storytelling Networking Event

10am – 3.30pm, Monday 30th March 2015
Dalhousie Building, University of Dundee, Old Hawkhill, Dundee DD1 5EN

Join us for this free networking event to discuss self management and how storytelling can be used to champion the voice of lived experience.
Along with opportunities to tell your story and hear from others, you will also: 

• Hear more from the Self Management Partnership and Practice team about the Self Management Network Scotland and our development work
• Learn about the work of Angus Community Health Partnership to support self management illustrated by stories from those who have benefitted from this work
• Take part in interactive workshops describing how to structure your storytelling and how stories can be used to define personal outcomes
• Scottish Recovery Network will close the day by sharing details about their Write to Recovery project

To register, please contact Lara at smns@alliance-scotland.org.uk with: 

• Your name and e-mail address
• Your role and organisation (if applicable)
• Any access or dietary requirements
• And please let us know if you are happy for your e-mail address to be shared with other attendees at the eventI’ll tell you a story: Self Management and Storytelling Networking Event
  
  
  Dalhousie Building, University of Dundee, Old Hawkhill, Dundee DD1 5EN
  Monday 30th March 2015, 10:00 – 15:30

  Agenda

  Refreshments, networking and marketplace

  10:00 – 10:20, Gallery

  Self Management Partnership and Practice Programme

  10:20 – 10:40, Room 1F01

  Supporting Self Management in Angus

  10:40 – 11:10, Room 1F01

  Refreshments, networking and marketplace

  11:10 – 11:30, Gallery

  Workshop 1 (Please see page 4)

  11:30 – 12:45, Room 1F06 or 1F18

  Lunch, networking and Marketplace

  12:45 – 13:35, Gallery

  Workshop 2 (Please see page 4)

  13:35 – 14:50, Room 1F06 or 1F18

  Write to Recovery

  14:50 – 15:20, Room 1F01

  Thank you and close

  15:20 – 15:30, Room 1F01

If you have any questions please contact Lara at the above e-mail address or on 07701289590
We’ll look forward to hearing from you! Thanks for reading my blog, You can now view my 8 short flims here! http://tommy-on-tour-2011.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/my-mums-name-was-joan-this-is-our-story.html

tuesday Speaking Masterclass End of Life Care NHS Forth Valley

Hi 

A big thank you to Audrey Melrose  Nurse Consultant for Dementia N. H. S. Forth Valley for the kind invite to speak at the  Masterclass  in End of Life Care  on March 31st 

 

I had the great privilege to speak last year for Audrey and NHS Forth Valley and feel very honored to be invited back 

I am very honoured and looking forward  to both attending and speaking 

Thank you Audrey and NHS Forth Valley for the kind invite and opportunity 

Tommy 

Busy week for ' Make A Difference' 12 talks 7 days

Hi 

Wednesday Morning  I have two talks at Glasgow Caledonian University firstly to 3rd year Mental Health students ,then straight after will be speaking to  MSc 1 and MSc 2 Social Work students.  

Early Thursday I head of too Inverness for three talks starting with Nursing Students at the University Stirling Highland Campus and I then head over to the Care Inspectorate Conference to speak just after lunch before heading back for the final talk of the day at the RCN Highland  Branch meeting.  

On Friday I have been invited back to speak to Nursing students at West of Scotland College (formerly Reid Kerr).

Monday I head to Dundee to host two workshops at Self-Management Scotland ‘story telling` event with our Laura @LauraMcC86

Tuesday I have been invited to speak at the NHS Forth Valley ‘Masterclass End of Life Care ‘ event. 

The week of talks ends with three on the Wednesday, first talk of the day is at the Links Worker Event at the Mitchel Library, before heading down to Glasgow City Council to give a presentation at the Cross Party Group on Dementia (set up as part of a motion I had passed at the council when caring for my mum.) 

  For the final talk of the day I head of to the University West of Scotland Hamilton Campus to speak at the Dementia Champions event with Amanda Johnston, Programmed Lead on the Focus on Dementia project from the Scottish Government.

If you would like to get in touch with myself or the team then please email us at makeadifference@alliance-scotland.org.uk or DM @DementiaCarerVo

Thanks for reading my blog, You can now view my 8 short flims here! http://tommy-on-tour-2011.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/my-mums-name-was-joan-this-is-our-story.html

Glasow Caledonian Nursing students and MSc 1 and MSc 2 Social Work Students add Personal Pledges

A big thank you from my hear to all the Mental Health Nursing and  MSc 1 and MSc 2 Social Work who students who attended my 2 talks today ,thank you for the great kindness ,messages and pledges ,

 

Tommy visited Glasgow Caledonian University on Wednesday 25th of March to speak to Mental Health Nursing Students as part of the first of two talks.

Big thanks to Margaret Caldwell, Lecturer in Mental Health Nursing Department for arranging the day.

Tommy has had the pleasure of speaking at Glasgow Caledonian before, why not have a read of the blog posts below:

19.03.14 Glasgow Caledonian University

11.04.14 2nd Year Mental Health Students @GCU

You can now read the fantastic pledges from the Mental Health Students below:

I pledge to make a difference to my patient’s lives – Ryan Dynes

I pledge to give the best possible care, show respect and dignity.  Fulfil dreams of others- Claire Bavaird

I pledge to bring positivity to my role and recognise not just the patients struggle but family members too – Drew Anderson

My pledge is to get to know every patient and care for them the best I can.

I pledge to get to know my patients love lives, experiences and respect all – Joanne Rae

I pledge to provide the best care possible to service users and their families – Catherine

I pledge to listen to people and try to understand their story –Yasmin

I will make a difference, I will listen and I will care – Suzanne

I will make a difference by not just doing a job and going through the motions but seeing every unique person in their life and starting from that point – Andrea Cochrane

I pledge to get to know each patient as a person not as an illness.  Get to know a person’s past, present and future.  To support the families, friends and cares as much as possible.  To use a person-centred care approach towards recovery or a way to live with the illness as comfortable as possible – Megan McGurn

I pledge to make a difference to be kind to people, listen and understand – Ola

I pledge to be kind to people – Margaret

I pledge to always be a human being when caring for someone and to see a human in this person – Karina

My pledge is to keep the services safe, respect them and support them to access further support and make a difference – Mary

I pledge to be the nurse that make peoples heart smile – Cheryl Murray

I pledge to always spend an extra half hour with my gran, to make sure she has her nails painted and kept lovely like she always did when I was little – Melissa Bell

I pledge to be a positive part of the lives of those I care for, to find out about what is important to them and to make sure those things remain a part of their life – Paul Moran

I pledge to bring my most open, compassionate self to people – Gem Thomson

I pledge to take the time to learn all I can about the people I meet and using this to be the best nurse I can be and the best person I can be to help those around me – Amy Reid

I pledge to listen and care for not only the people I look after but for their families and loved ones.  I also pledge to be the best, caring and honest burse I can possibly be to make a difference in someone’s life –Megan Torley

I promise to always not only, as a nurse have a head full of good intention but to always have a heart full of love and to see the person not the illness – Jennifer MacIver

I pledge to take the time to get to know patient’s that have dementia, and realise that they are a person, not an illness – Lucy McGonigle

My pledge is to be the best nurse I can be.  Listening and finding out about the person’s life I am caring for.  Treating them with the dignity and respect they deserve and in a way I myself would like to be cared for – Alison McRoberts

I pledge I will make a difference by showing everyone I have the honour of supporting kindness and compassion and I will take the time to listen to their journey, love stories and aspirations – Connor Waddell

I pledge to make a difference in someone’s life.  One small act of kindness can make a huge difference.  Everyone has a life story and love story and that matters – Kimberly McCaffrey

I pledge to give my patient’s the best of my care and learn from carers what would be helped and find out about my patients life.

I pledge to get to know the person I care for and provide the best quality of care I can – Jordan

I pledge to be the best nurse that I can be.  I pledge to be person centred and go that extra mile.

I pledge to provide hope and support, show compassion and kindness always.  I pledge to listen with an open heart and provide a shoulder to lean on – Rachel Kyle

I pledge to get to know peoples background and their story.  To be patient and kind.  To listen to carers needs – Jackie Lee Sweeney

I pledge to always know the people I am caring for and make sure they know that is more important than they’re diagnosis – Kimberly Houghton

I pledge that I will make sure none of my patient’s or their carers will feel lost, alone or scared – Michael Ford

I pledge to make a difference, listen, learn and be the best nurse I possibly can.  From the very bottom of my heart – Eilidh

I pledge to be the best nurse that I can be.  Always listen see everyone as an individual not an illness.  I pledge to be the shoulder that anyone can cry on and the person you wouldn’t worry ab out talking to –Bethaney Rafferty

I pledge to listen and to learn from the cares and service users and make at least one person smile a day.

I pledge to take time to know individuals.  Learn about their past and experiences.  I also pledge to treat people with dignity, always –Natalie Clocherty

 The Second of Tommy`s talks at GCU on 25th March was to MSc 1 and MSc 2 Social Work Students.  Thank you to Dr Gill Constable, Lecturer of Social Work at Glasgow Caledonian University for inviting Dementia Carer Voices to share our work and campaign with the students over the day.

My pledge is to treat everybody with dignity and respect – Melissa Friel

My pledge is to take the time to listen, to be kind and do everything within my means to help – Caoimhe Glacken

My pledge is to show my gran more often how wonderful she is and remind her of the fantastic things she has done – Jennifer McQueen

My pledge is to care, to listen and to see past the diagnosis to the person – Laura Munroe

My pledge is to take time to listen to people’s experiences and feelings – Angelene Moan

My pledge is to spend time talking to my papa and gran, visit them regularly, listen to them, respect them, take them out.  Spend more time with them – Megan Hurst

I pledge to be kind and interested and to update my knowledge about dementia – Nisha

I pledge to listen to every individual’s story – Jennifer Cochrane

I pledge to take time to listen to people’s story.

I pledge to see the person, their life experiences and not just a diagnosis and label – Alan McCabe

I pledge to never give up on helping people with dementia and their cares – Joe Bickle

I pledge to listen and treat every individual with kindness, respect and dignity and take the time to understand their life and journey –Jemma Donaldson

I pledge to be the best Social Worker I can be, to take the time to listen to people with dementia and their cares and to gain an understanding about their lives whilst treating each person with dignity and respect –Leanne Marshall

My pledge is to listen as a human not a social worker – Natalie Davey

My pledge is to listen, support and provide a voice.  To learn about you and respect you – Kirsty Gibson

I pledge to make more time every day.

I pledge to continue listening to people I come into contact with –Tanya Jane Baillie

I pledge to make time for people who need help.  To listen – Jennifer Graham

I pledge to never forget people.

I pledge to respect the life-stories of the people I will encounter.  Not to lose sight of their humanity and to always put their needs before my own – Patrick Farren

I pledge to be informed! Listen to peoples stories, reach out and make a connection – Leanne

I pledge to be a good listener, pay attention to people’s feelings etc –Abigail

I pledge to be kind and considerate of people’s feelings and to listen to their experiences – Megan O`Meara

I pledge that I will take Tommy`s story with me in my life and in my work.  Thank you – Conor McCann

I pledge to listen to and spend time with my papa and help and respect my family who are helping care for him – Jessica

Hi  with great thanks to  Margaret Caldwell  Lecturer in Mental Health Nursing  Department of Nursing and Community Health and Dr Gill Constable Lecturer Social Work Glasgow Caledonian  University for the kind invite to speak to 1st year Mental Health Nursing students and MSc 1 and MSc 2 Social Work students at 9am and 11am 
I have had the great pleasure to speak a few times at the University before before and in fact was very honored  to give the Glasgow Caledonian University 2014 Masterclass 
I am very much looking forward to attending ,Meeting the students and speaking 
You can read the pledges from precious talks HERE  Thanks for reading my blog, You can now view my 8 short flims here! http://tommy-on-tour-2011.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/my-mums-name-was-joan-this-is-our-story.html

Dear Tommy,

I do hope that you don’t mind my contacting you. Your details have been given to me by a colleague. I am delivering two training days on dementia to MSc 1 and MSc 2 Social Work students. The first day is on Wednesday 25^th March and the second day is the 8^th April. They are two different cohorts of students. I wondered if it would be possible for you to speak at either of these days. I think you are in the university on the 25^th March and therefore you may not wish to do another session on that day.

I have heard you speak and your account is very moving. It is important that as social workers in training they have a sense of what the experience of caring is like and how they can best be supportive. The training days are from 9.30am – 4.30pm and I would adjust the programme to best meet your time commitments if you were available.

Kind regards

Gill Constable

Dr Gill Constable

Lecturer Social Work

Glasgow Caledonian University

Cowcaddens Road, Glasgow G4 OBA

Tel 0141 273 1914

University of Stirling Highland Campus Nursing Students add their pledges

Hi

With great thanks to Michelle Beattie Lecturer, School of Nursing Midwifery & Health, University of Stirling Highland Campus Inverness for the kind invite to speak to 3^rd year nursing students

On march 

I have had the great privilege to speak at the University  before a few years back as part of our tour with  NHS Highland and look forward to meeting everyone and speaking again,Ruth Mantle Dementia Nurse Consultant NHS Highland will be 

Partnering me at the talks as part of our on going make a difference work with her across the highlands 

You can read the pledges below or find out more about the University at the link here rms.stir.ac.uk/converis-stirl…

you can also follow Michelle on Titter @BeattieQi 

Great thanks to Michelle Beattie, Lecturer, Nursing Midwifery & Health, University of Stirling Highland Campus, Inverness and the inspiring 3^rd year nursing students for the kind invite to speak, the inspiring pledges and wonderful messages of support on twitter. 

Great thanks to Michelle Beattie, Lecturer, Nursing Midwifery & Health, University of Stirling Highland Campus, Inverness and the inspiring 3^rd year nursing students for the kind invite to speak, the inspiring pledges and wonderful messages of support on twitter.

 

Have a browse of the fantastic pledges below:

I pledge to take time to listen to my patient’s stories – Rachel Baird

I pledge to listen to my patient’s and carers and share and learn from their stories and experiences – Stephanie Jackson

I pledge to listen whenever someone wants to share their feelings with me – Egbert

I pledge to treat others with kindness and respect – Claire Gallagher

My pledge is to understand the life and history of all my patient’s –Becky Smart

My pledge is to be caring, kind and most of all compassionate and understanding a patient’s journey – Elizabeth Robertson

I pledge to be caring and understanding to people. Be aware that nursing care is not entirely about medical/clinical interventions, it’s about holistic care.

I pledge to make everyone I meet feel like they matter and are important and to always ask “is it okay if I do that” before giving care to a patient.

I pledge to listen to families about their loved ones – Fiona MacLennan

My pledge is to provide support for people with dementia and their cares from an individual person-centred view.  Taking into account the person they are and their preferences – Kath Barrow

My pledge is to go down to the level of understanding the family/relatives feel “the extra mile” – Santiago

I pledge to not forget the person behind the diagnosis.

I pledge to make a difference – Marion MacLeod

My pledge to be the best nurse I can be and every person I meet with dementia, I want to make them smile – Hannah Lewis

I pledge to never forget why I do this, it’s not just a job, its people’s lives – Danielle Aitken

I pledge to be the best that I can for both patients and their cares by promoting dignity and kindness – Eleanor

I pledge to take the time to treat people with respect and kindness –Fiona Brown

I pledge to always give people time, regardless of how busy I am, to really listen and to do everything I can to really make a difference –Gillian Caldwell

I will always make or find the time to listen and help – Nicola

I pledge I will always make time to listen and support cares/families –Aimee

I pledge to recognise and respect each person and their loved ones as individuals – to listen – Eilidh

I want to make a positive difference to people`s lives and help break the stigma of mental health – Demi Velzian

I pledge I will always treat dementia suffers as if they were my mum/brother/granny/granda – Leanne Scott

I pledge to always have the time to stop and listen, so that I can try to help – Jillian Campbell

Thanks for reading my blog, You can now view my 8 short flims here! http://tommy-on-tour-2011.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/my-mums-name-was-joan-this-is-our-story.html