Earlier today speaking Glasgow Kelvin College NC Social Care Level 5& 6 Students " you can make a difference " tour 2014 #talk7

great to meet all the team and students earlier today at Kelvin College .Thank you for the opportunity to speak today 

and a big thank you for the kindness and pledges as part of the You Can Make A Difference Tour 2014 

with Pam and a few of the students after the talk 

Tommy 

Hi

with great thanks to Pam Currie Curriculum Leader Faculty of Science, Health & Care Glasgow Kelvin College for inviting me to speak to NC Social Care Level 5& 6 Students on February 4th 

I look forward to meeting the students and speaking about my wonderful mum ,the  letters I receive ,the people I meet .dementia .caring and the Dementia Carer Voices Project 

thank you Pam for the opportunity 

tommy 

There would be two groups of students – a group  from Pathways Social Science & Care, who are studying a unit called Health Sector: An Introduction. Part of this unit involves them investigating Health Care services offered to patients and carers for a variety of conditions and health care needs. The other group of students are a group  from NC Social Care Level 5, who are studying a unit called Understanding the Needs of the Older Person. We’d also invite any interested students from HNC Social Care and our NC Social Care Level 6 group, some of whom are on placements working with service users who have dementia, and there might be one or two Psychology students with an interest in dementia and working in this sector.

The students are a mix of mature and younger students, including some students who will have had experience of caring for a family member or voluntary/paid experience in the care sector, although most will not have had much ‘hands on’ experience as they’re at a relatively early stage in their studies.

Dementia Carer Voices February Newsletter

Welcome to the latest edition of the Dementia Carer Voices Project's newsletter, which will keep you up to date with our latest activities, resources and upcoming events.

Read Dementia Carer Voices Newsletter - February 2014

Best wishes

the Dementia Carer Voices Team

University Edinburgh The "You can make a difference" tour 2014 talk 6

You can make a difference!

That’s what I want people to know and today I had a fantastic session with final year Nursing students from the University of Edinburgh, who really “got” that message.

Time, listening and understanding can make an unimaginable difference during what can be a very difficult and lonely journey. Over and above policies, strategies or reports it’s people who have the potential to transform the lives and experiences of others.  It makes me smile to think about the special people who helped me whilst I was a carer, the thousands out there helping others in the same manner, and the students who make up our next generation of caring professionals.

At the end of the talk, I asked the students to think about what they could do to make a difference to others and it’s fair to say that their enthusiasm and interest left me feeling inspired.

This will be a new theme going forward and the basis for talks in 2014  -  No matter what your role , “What difference can you make to the lives of others?”

will you make a pledge to make a difference as part of our tour 2014 

you can make your pledge at Tommy.Whitelaw@alliance-scotland.org.uk

  

inspired today by the Sarah and the  students Edinburgh University  

Earlier Today speaking St Andrew's Hospice Airdrie you can make a difference tour 2014

Hi 

With great thanks to Sandra,  St Andrew's Hospice Airdrie and all who kindly took time to attend my talk earlier today as part of my YOU can make a difference tour 2014 
thank you the time ,kindness and promises to make a difference

a wee  photo with Sandra after my talk with some of the pledges

with great thanks to Sandra White Education coordinator St Andrew's Hospice Airdrie for the Kind invite to speak at the awareness event being held at the hospice Wednesday February 5th 

I look forward to attending and and the opportunity to speak about my wonderful mum ,the letters I receive and people I meet on my tour 

some info on the event below 

Dear Tommy

I have heard such great things about your lecture at the person centred conference that you recently took part in and I would like to invite you to lecture at St Andrew’s Hospice in Airdrie. We are the only Hospice in Lanarkshire. The monthly lecture format has been running for over 10 years and we invite staff from the hospice itself, acute trusts, care homes, home support staff, usually about 30 staff from the multidisciplinary team. The lecture starts at 12.30 and lasts for 30 mins, we use telemedicine for our satellite centres and make a DVD so that our night staff can see the lecture too.

We would be honoured if you would consider coming and sharing your experiences so that we can make a difference to patients with a dementia diagnosis.

Sandra White

Education Co-ordinator

St Andrew's Hospice

Henderson Street

Airdrie

ML6 6DJ

Tel: 01236 772005

email: sandra.white@standrews.scot.nhs.uk

Earlier Today - Meeting with team Crosshouse Hosptial Kilmarnock NHSaaa

Hi 

with great thanks to Derek ,Janice ,Lynn and admanda for  inviting me to meet at Crosshouse hospital Kilmarnok NHSaaa

And thank you Derek kindly giving me a lift down this morning 

We had a chat about the work they do and looking to partner up for some " you can make a difference " events very soon 

Lots of great ideas and passion from the team and I am really looking forward to being involved in any way I can 

Thank you to all for today on the train to Dundee now feeling excited and inspired #NHSaaamakingadifference 

Tommy 

A wee photo with Amanda , Janice and Derek  and  with Lynn 

With great thanks and looking forward to meeting Janice McAlister Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Nurse Consultant.Mental Health Services NHS Ayrshire & Arran/University of the West of Scotland

Along with fellow senior charge nurses to discuss and arrange a series of talks at Crosshouse hospital 

With great thanks to Janice,all the team and NHSaaa  for the forthcoming opportunities 

Thank you for the kindness 

Tommy  

Collecting life stories raising awareness can you help? #2014

Collecting life stories raising awareness can you help?

This blog – awareness campaign is based on the life stories, thoughts opinions, and words experiences good or bad on families across the UK  

The words received to date have been used in reports to government, motions at councils the basis of talks across the NHS, carer groups, events and conferences and the basis for short films all to bring more understanding and help       

I truly believe our words can change lives – you can add your words by e mail attommy@i-woz-there.com and my promise to  raise the best possible awareness I can as a son

You can view some of the films and work being done at the links below

Members debate Scottish parliament March 20^th 2013

http://tommy-on-tour-2011.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/link-to-briefing-paper-for-debate-today.html

Talks 2013

http://tommy-on-tour-2011.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/a-wee-itinerary-of-thanks-thank-you-for.html

Films

Campaign launch film with carers reading from letters (funded Alz Scotland) shown Scottish Parliament

http://tv.enterprisescreen.co.uk/watch?v=347 

Interview caring for my mum nhsgg&c

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36_Y_3y0yXM&sns=tw

 “it’s ok to ask “A guide to services in Glasgow narrated by tommy on tour nhsggc

http://youtu.be/u2BAxSCcic0

Motion passed Glasgow City Council

MOTION

Council recognizes the inspirational efforts of Tommy Whitelaw in raising awareness of the issues effecting the carers and families of people suffering from Dementia through his “Tommy on Tour” campaign

Council agrees to set-up a Cross Party Working Group to engage with carers and to ensure that the services provided to carers are appropriate to the needs of the carers and those suffering from Dementia and that the Working Group’s findings be presented by Council to the Scottish Government.

Thank you 

Tommy 

Holyrood motion applauds work of Scotland's carers Motion S4M-08934:

Hi 

With great thanks to Sandra White, Glasgow Kelvin Supported by: Kenneth Gibson, Christina McKelvie, Anne McTaggart, Joan McAlpine, George Adam, John Mason, Liam McArthur, Dennis Robertson

Motion S4M-08934: Sandra White, Glasgow Kelvin, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 03/02/2014

Letters, Life and Love Stories, A Concert for Carers, Celtic Connections 

That the Parliament acknowledges the contribution of Letters, Life and Love Stories, A Concert for Carers, which took place in Glasgow Royal Hall, in raising awareness of the carer journey; highlights the collaboration between music and the third sector to celebrate carers; thanks Celtic Connections, Regular Music and the Health and Social Care Alliance, in particular the Dementia Carer Voices team, including Tommy Whitelaw and Irene Oldfather, for their efforts in organising the carer reception and concert attended by the Deputy First Minister and politicians from across the political spectrum; notes that all artists performed free of charge to support the venture; applauds the work of Scotland’s army of 660,000 carers, who, it considers, work tirelessly to support vulnerable people across Scotland; recognises the breadth of organisations supporting the venture and, in particular, the key partners supporting carers on the night, including Age Scotland, Alzheimer Scotland, the Care Inspectorate, Carers Link, Carers Scotland, Carers Trust, Carr Gomm, Glasgow Caledonian University, Healthcare Improvement Scotland, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Patient Opinion, Quarriers, Sense Scotland and Unity Enterprise; understands that every day almost 500 people take on a caring responsibility and that three in five people will become carers at some point in their lives, and therefore congratulates all involved on their efforts to show that Scotland cares.

Supported by: Kenneth Gibson, Christina McKelvie, Anne McTaggart, Joan McAlpine, George Adam, John Mason, Liam McArthur, Dennis Robertson

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx?SearchType=Advance&ReferenceNumbers=S4M-08934&ResultsPerPage=10

Earlier today Speaking University of Abertay Dundee - Mental HealthStudents - You can make a difference 2014

Hi

I had the great privilege earlier today to speak at Abertay University to 3rd year nursing and mental health students 

With great thanks to Robin ,Richard and all the inspiring students for a wonderful day of kindness and engagement 

A BIG thank you from the heart for all the personal pledges and promises on " you can make a difference " and I am absolutely convinced they will 

Tommy 

With great thanks to Robin Ion Leader/Lecturer SHS Division of Nursing & Counselling University of Abertay Dundee for the invite to speak to Mental Health students. 

Thank you for the opportunity, I look forward to meeting all the students and speaking about my wonderful mum, the letters I receive, the people I meet, dementia, Caring and life stories. 

Thank you 

Tommy 

Today Speaking University of Edinburgh fourth year honours nursing programme

Hi 

With great thanks to  Dr Sarah lynas for inviting me to speak at the University of Edinburgh

To the fourth year nursing students - honours nursing programme

I look forward to both meeting and speaking to all the students about my wonderful mum ,the letters I receive,dementia and caring 

Thank you Dr Sarah and all involved for this opportunity

Thank you 

Tommy

Love is all around

Hi

Last week was the busiest of weeks. Starting last Monday with the Celebration of Caring Concert and then speaking at 4 events, Watford at the hospice St Francis,  London 6cs Live Conference,  Monday night in Birmingham at the Heart of England hospital and finally yesterday at the BCDA dignity event. 

I have done many talks over the last few years most of them during the day and returning home in theearly evening and my social life since is pretty much non-existent. 6 years caring will do that to you and since mum passed away I have not ventured out much socially. 

Caring is about love, the letters I receive are about love and the talks, concert and campaign are most definitely  based on love.

The concert last week was joyous – a night I will never forget. The people, the music, that feeling.Sitting on the train back to Glasgow just now thinking back over it all has been quite emotional 

A few things stand out. With not really going out often over of the last 6 years, the joy at the concert made my heart smile. Walking through Covent Garden a few nights ago watching people smiling holding hands being in love. Watching people meeting at the various train stations running towards each other with smiles so wide and eyes full of joy and in to the arms of someone the love and have missed and the happiness of friends meeting was a joy to view. 

I used to go out all the time many moons ago and never took time to notice the fact that love is all around. Too often caring leaves no time for such social activities or travel or meeting old friends but always time for love. We should be supporting people across society to allow more time for love stories, they are wonderful to view and often to hard to appreciate and achieve. 

What does person centred care mean to me ? 

That's easy. Supporting, encouraging and playing a part in other people’s love stories. If you do that you will give families the greatest of chances, joy and life. 

Tommy  

Great honour to present certificates to staff NHS Fife who havecompleted 6 month dementia training course

Hi 

Thank you so much Helen Skinner NHS Fifie Acute services  for the great honour to be asked to present successful learners with their certificates 

I have been asked to present  certificates to healthcare support workers who have completed a 6 month dementia training course on February 17th along with speaking in the hosptial lecture room to staff  ( please see link to post below ) 

Thank you so much Helen NHS Fife Acute Services Division Victoria Hospital Kirkcaldy for this great privilege 

Tommy 

Speaking NHS Fife February 17th Lecture theatre 

http://tommy-on-tour-2011.blogspot.com/2014/01/speaking-nhs-fife-victoria-hospital.html?spref=tw