At event Glasgow to hear Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeons speech

Hi

I will be popping in to hear Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeons speech tomorrow at the lighthouse Glasgow.As an awareness campaigner it's important I try and keep up to pace with all the is happening politically

I have met the Deputy FirstMinister   a few times over my campaign, when I first took my letters to parliament. Nicola was Cab  secretary  for health I have great respect for the time given to a son who was caring for his mum and trying to raise awareness 

A few weeks before my wee mum passed away  Nicola made a very private visit to our house to meet as she said " the mum behind the campaign" having read about my wee mum so often along with hearing me speaking about mum at awareness events she felt it was important to meet my mum .I have to say there was no fuss ,no media just a daughter visiting a mother.We never got many visitors over the years and so often when out campaigning I would come home hold my mums hand and tell her all that had happened .I have been to parliament on many occasions since the campaign started and always wished my mum was well enough to come .but I will never forget the night part of parliament came to visit Joan and took time to hold her hand 

I wish mum was here tonight to hold her hand one more time 

Tommy      

Feedback from link worker talk April 27th

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Posted on April 27, 2013

Around 30 of us met on Monday afternoon, 22 April, to hear about existing link worker models and to exchange ideas on the useful connecting role this could have in communities.  A full report will be added to blog, but here’s just a few highlights…..

The focus of the meeting was on link working in primary care and what needs to happen to ensure that people find right support.  Before hearing about existing models, Tommy Whitelaw, set the scene by describing his experience of caring for his mum, who became unwell with dementia.  Tommy cared for his dearly loved mum for years without support and adequate information – his poignant description of being handed a postit note with a phone number left many of us feeling a sense of shame that our caring services could let someone down so badly.  Tommy now devotes much of his time raising awareness of the needs of carers, the importance of finding information and how to access support.

Its frustrating to know that Tommy and his mum, who felt so alone, were probably surrounded by support – local and national mental health charities, carer groups, organisations for older people, doctors, nurses, social care, social workers, church lunch clubs, community groups and many others -  and yet somehow, they never got connected to the care they needed.  Despite having contact with services, they were not lucky enough to meet that one individual or group, who could have changed their lives for the better. Tommy’s path was continually blocked by, as someone put it, a lack of common sense, compassion and communication – it shouldn’t be down to luck.

Tommy’s story was a powerful introduction to the afternoon – we then heard about link worker models already operating in Scotland.  The first was about social prescribing in Dundee, where link workers are attached to some general practices, an initiative which came out of Equally Well and which has recently secured funding to continue and developl.  This was followed with description of Local Area Coordinators, an initiative of the Scottish Consortium for Learning Disabilities and then onto Glasgow where outreach workers were employed with aim of encouraging people who had missed out on Keep Well screening to have a check up.  This role was later developed with a much wider remit.

We then formed 4 groups to consider scenarios which were provided by Dr Peter Cawston -  2 about the link worker role, and 2 about the processes for signposting.  This was a lively session, feedback was really interesting and some of it unexpected.  We will post a report of the meeting and the scenarios which can be used by others (useful for meetings / workshops)

Thanks to everyone who came along on Monday – great to meet you all, it was a very informative afternoon which has left us with plenty to think about.

Tommy 

A Positive meeting today on new project #anightofawareness

Hi

I had a really positive meeting today with regards to a new project that I hope will inspire people and help tell the life and love stories of families ,carers ,and the stories of people who do great work in supporting us ,from hospitals ,in the community ,and in our daily lives

I can't say to much at  this time but I can say its based on letters ,life and love stories

Very excited and I hope to be able to tell more over the next week or two

Tommy

Meeting today to try and get a new project of the ground ,fingers crossed

Hi

Well I have a meeting tomorrow that I am very excited about with a good friend from the past that I have been chatting to about a wee awareness project .I really hope we can make it happen .I can't say to much as nothing is confirmed or agrees ,but I feel this could be quite unique and I hope special and helps raise much awareness based on life and love stories

I will post more in the next few weeks if this wee plan looks like happening ,I hope it does

Tommy

How I wish you were here mum

How I wish you were here mum

As a young lad one day I grew up and left home to explore the world, a home with great parents, memories and support.  When that day comes the kindness and support from your parents is the building block to all that lies ahead and I travelled pretty much 10 months of the year with my work.  I always kept in touch hardly a day went by without a call even the briefest of call to make sure all was ok at home and sometimes maybe more than I care to remember for support and to take away the loneliness travelling can bring.

I was lucky I had good relationships with both my parents.  Who were hard working kind, honest, decent and who gave all to their children?  Then one day you come home to visit mum, who by this time was on her own as dad had passed away a few years before and everything had changed, my hard working wee mum was in the beginnings of Dementia.  Confused, distant and scared and for the first time this amazing lady who was always ready to put her arm around to support others and take the pain in their place needed an arm around her.

I tried the best I could but it was too hard too often and as I sit here tonight looking back at a 5 year journey and the bigger story of life there are two things that stand out.  Even at the lowest points even when the full force of dementia was taking its toll even against all odds my mum was still caring for me.  On paper I was her Carer and mum needed much care towards then end, but she was always caring for me and over the last years it was just mum and me struggling to get through each day and mum was my best pal and support.

But the other thing that really stands as I sit here alone at home tonight is how I wish you were here mum, how I wish you were here.

 how I wish you where both here

Tommy

Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland Info - Membership

Hi 

My  Dementia Carer Voices  project based on my Tommyontour campaign is hosted at the Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (the ALLIANCE)

I wanted to be mentored by Irene Oldfather who I have great respect for when the opportunity arose to take my campaign from my bedroom and look forward to doing all we can over the next 2 years 

you can find out  more about the ALLIANCE  and the work they do below 

Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (the ALLIANCE) is the national third sector intermediary body for health and social care. The strength of the ALLIANCE is in bringing together organisations and individuals to ensure the voice of people who are disabled, living with long term conditions and unpaid carers is heard. The ALLIANCE welcomes organisations of all sizes and individual people (including people with long term conditions and unpaid carers) to join.

You can read more about ALLIANCE membership and join online at their new microsite membership.alliance-scotland.org.uk  or get in touch with Nancy Greig, Network Development Officer at nancy.greig@alliance.org.uk

Thank you Reid Kerr College health, social care and nursing staff and students

Thank you Reid Kerr College health, social care and nursing staff and students

Hi

A big thank you to all the staff and students from Reid Kerr college health ,social care and nursing for the invite and who took time to attend  my talks .I was a guest speaker there last term along with a few weeks ago and then finally today

Thank you once again, for the opportunity, the questions and I wish all who attend this college the best with their futures caring for others

Tommy   

Hi

with great thanks to all at reid Kerr College for inviting me back to speak to more Nursing Students om May 7TH I was a guest speaker there last year then again back in March of this year

I look forward to meeting more students and speaking about dementia ,caring for my wee mum ,the letters I recieve and familes I have met on my tour

thank you

tommy

a wee look back to my talk in March this year

Hi

I was a guest speaker earlier today to students who attend Reid Kerr college in Paisley A big thank you to Kate the lecturer for inviting me along to speak about My mum, dementia ,caring and the life stories I receive .Also a massive thank you to all the students for their time and questions after my talk .For me the opportunities t speak with the next generation of people who will  be on the frontline across the care sector is of great importance and I hope my story helps bring a bit more understanding

Thank you to all for today

After the talk I was back out doing more location filming for  the new carer engagement film in partnership (voluntary on my part )with Nhsgg&C – CHP a film based on the letters I receive and my own experience caring for mum

Tommy

tommyontour: 13th June launching “ITS OK TO ASK” new carer en...

tommyontour: 13th June launching “ITS OK TO ASK” new carer en...: Hi The new carer engagement film I wrote with enterprise screen funded by nhsgg&c in partnership with the alliance Scotland will be ...

Meeting the Care Inspectorate June 4th

Last month I met with the care inspectorate lead on Dementia .We had a good chat about my tour,letters and campaign ,we have arranged to meet again at their office in Dundee on June 4th to continue our conversation and look for opportunities to tie in some work together

Tommy  

Meeting Cllr Kerr at Glasgow City Chambers then down to Ayr to meet south Ayrshire carers

Hi  

I will be popping into Glasgow City Chambers this morning to meet with Cllr Matt Kerr health and social care exec at the city council along with Ann Cumming from older people services SW

I have met with both a few times before and the they have been very supportive on my awareness work ,in fact they are part of the partnership for the new carer engagement film I wrote with enterprise screen in response to the letters I receive and is being produced by nhsgg&c- CHP ,ready for launch early June

I have a few ideas and a wee project I can’t announce at the moment and hope to get them involved .A project that I hope reminds everyone that our lives are love stories and we should be cared for and supported in order to live as close to a love story and as far from tragedy as possible .WATCH THIS SPACE

I will then be popping down to Ayr to meet David Roxburgh who does great work down there with South Ayrshire carers to chat about a few ideas we discussed briefly when we last met

Tommy 

Earlier today speaking North Ayrshire Carers Strategy Consultation Launch

Hi

Big thank you to all involved earlier today at North Ayrshire's consultation launch .once again I feel inspired by the commitment and effort by all involved .I have been to North Ayrshire a few times over the last year and welcome the efforts and pace they are working

thank you

a wee photo below after the event with Cllr Anthea Dickson  Marie Mcwaters
Iona Colvin and councilor Robert Steel

with Tony Fisher

With thanks to North Ayrshire council   for inviting me to speak at their 2013 carer strategy event being held on May 2^nd.  The event will be a day of Discussion  on caring with questions and answers session .I have been invited to speak and take some questions on caring for my mum, the life stories I receive and people I have met on my tour .the day of discussion will be fed into the next carer strategy report North Ayrshire council 

Thank you Cllr Anthea Dickson ,Anthea Mroz and  to all involved for the invite and I look forward to a day of learning ,discussion and involvement

On behalf of Councillor Robert Steel, North Ayrshire Council and our partnership agencies we would like to invite you to attend the Draft North Ayrshire Carers Strategy Consultation Launch

This event will give carers the opportunity to meet, share ideas and views with other carers, Council staff and our planning partners.

1.        Programme – Carers Consultation Launch

Time	What/Who
12:00pm	Welcome & Introduction – Councillor Anthea Dickson
12:05pm	Journey so far and road ahead for NA carers – Iona Colvin
12:10pm	Guest speaker – Marie McWaters - Carer
12:15pm	Introduce guest speaker Tommy Whitelaw – Councillor Anthea Dickson
12.20pm	Tommy Whitelaw
12.45pm	Announce Carers Champion – Councillor Anthea Dickson
12.50pm	Councillor Robert Steel - Carers Champion
13.00pm	Lunch & stalls
14.00pm	Close

2.        Stalls
Provided by
NA Carers Centre – Chris Speedwell/Deborah McKeen
NAC Dementia Services – Kerry Rennie/Gail Kilbane
NAC Dirrans Head Injury – Nicola Rowan/Elaine Black
NHS Young Carers Card – Jacqui Stevenston
NAC Respite – Chris Quinn/Julie Connelly & Alan Meikle (IMPACCT)
NHS – Carolyn Wyper and Advisor (Keep Well – Health Checks for Carers)
NHS – Allan Wilson – Pharmacy Consultant (Medication Management Training for Carers)
NAC – William Brodie – Learning Disabilities
NAC – Brenda Walker – Adult Support & Protection
NAC – Jacqui Rennie & Louise Andrews  - Day Care (OPS)
NHS – Jennifer Reid – ABCD Project for Children
NHS - Morag Kirk - Public Health Promotion


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