You Can Make A Difference Tour -178 Talks - Make A Pledge Make A Difference

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You can make a difference!  

Campaign tells staff "You Can Make A Difference" for people with dementia and their carers

The Health and Social Care ALLIANCE’s Dementia Carer Voices project is embarking on an exciting new campaign for 2014, calling upon Scotland’s Health and Social Care professionals to consider how they can assist people with dementia and their carers.
The team will be taking the ‘You Can Make A Difference’  campaign to staff across the country to highlight that no matter what their role, everyone working in Health and Social Care Services has the potential to transform the lives and experiences of people with dementia and their carers, often in seemingly small ways. Staff will be given the opportunity to reflect on carer’s personal stories and make a pledge based on one key message or action that they will take away and apply to their everyday practice to make a difference. 
Some of the pledges received so far include;
“I pledge to listen with open ears and and open heart.”
“I pledge to view the person I care for as all that they have been, they are and all that they can be.”
“I pledge to take the time to speak to the person’s family and provide support to make their lives as fulfilling as possible.”
Tommy Whitelaw, Dementia Carer Voices Project Engagement Lead, said: 
“Carers tell us that a little bit of time, listening and understanding can make an unimaginable difference during what can be a very difficult and lonely journey. In my case it was a district nurse who not only gave me practical advice about how to take care of my mum, but sat down, put her arm around me and told me ‘You’re doing all right. You can make that difference.”

You Can Read All The Pledges Here http://dementiacarervoices.wordpress.com/

Tour dates

·         20.01.14  Letters, Life and Love Stories Concert    

·         21.01.14  Spoke at Peace Hospice, Watford    

·         22.01.14  Spoke at 6C's Live Event, London  

·         27.01.14  Spoke at Heartlands Hospital, Birmingham  

·         28.01.14  Spoke at BCDA dignity event, Birmingham 

·         03.02.14  University of Edinburgh - Nursing Students 

·         04.02.14  Stow College - Health and Social Care Students   

·         05.02.14  St Andrew's Hospice - Airdrie  

·         06.02.14  Presentation to Crosshouse Hospital NHSaaa  

·         06.02.14  University of Abertay    

·         17.02.14  Royal College of Nursing  

·         18.02.14  8 Pillar Test Sites Learning Session 1  

·         19.02.14  NHS Fife - Dementia Champions  

·         20.02.14  University of Edinburgh - MSC Integrated Service Improvement  

·         24.02.14  NHS Highland Palliative Care Event 

·         25.02.14 NHS Grampian/ Robert Gordon University NHS Grampian - Presentation  to board and 4 talks at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary to medical students in ARI.

·         26.02.14  NHS Grampian / Robert Gordon University - Moray College Elgin and Acorn Centre Inverurie

·         27.02.14  NHS Grampian / Robert Gordon University – 4 talks to nursing students 

·         03.03.14  NHS England Expo Manchester

·         04.03.14   NHS England Expo Manchester

·         05.03.14  Inverary Talk - Caring Connections and the focus is on creating a person centred network in Argyll and Bute, across health, social care and third sector 

·         07.03.14  Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh  

·         11.03.14  Senior Charge Nurses event – Beardmore Conference Centre  

·         12.03.14  Monklands Hospital, Airdrie  

·         17.03.14  Reid Kerr Collage Nursing Students

·         17.03.14  NHSGGC Tour Western Infirmary 3^rd Floor Function Suite 1-2pm and 2.30-3.30pm (2 talks)

·         18.03.14  NHSGGC Tour Inverclyde Royal IRH Education Centre Upstairs 1-2pm and 2.30-3.30pm (2 talks)

·         19.03.14  Year 1 addiction sessions - Glasgow Caledonian University  

·         20.03.14  NHSGGC Tour Royal Alexandria Hospital Medical Education Lecture Theatre 1-2pm and 2.30-3.30pm (2 talks)

·         21.03.14  Gartnavel General Hospital Lecture Theatre Post Graduate Centre 1-2pm and 2.30-3.30pm (2 talks)

·         24.03.14  NHSGGC Tour Western Infirmary 3^rd Floor Function Suite 1-2pm and 2.30-3.30pm (2 talks)

·         26.03.14  Dementia Post-Diagnostic Support HEAT Target Event - Beardmore Conference Centre  

·         28.03.14  James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough  

·         31.03.14  NHSGGC Tour Royal Alexandria Hospital Lecture Theatre 2 1-2pm and 2.30-3.30pm (2 talks)   

·         01.04.14  NHSGGC Tour Gartnavel General Hospital Boardroom 1-2pm and 2.30-3.30pm (2 talks)   

·         02.04.14. NHSGGC Tour Western Infirmary 3^rd Floor Function Suite 1-2pm and 2.30-3.30pm (2 talks)

·         03.04.14  OT forum East Renfrewshire (morning)

·         08.04.14  NHSD&G Tour - Waverly Medical Centre Open session x2 and Palmerston Football Club Closed Session (Invite only)

·         09.04.14 NHSD&G Tour - Conference Room Crichton Hall Open session x2 and Alzheimer Scotland Resource Centre, Gordon Street meet and greet with lunch.

·         10.04.14  NHSD&G Tour - Tribunal Room Midpark Hospital Open session, Conference room Crichton Hall Session with dementia champions and Howgill Centre, Treastaigh, Annan Open session

·         10.04.14 Masterclass Caledonian University

·         21.04.14 Maple Villa Livingston Dementia unit for challenging behaviours

·         22.04.14 speaking Sandywells NHSGG staff conference

·         24.04.14 Speaking opening of Dementia Friendly Kent

·         28.04.14  NHSGGC Tour Glasgow Royal Infirmary Boardroom 1-2pm and 2.30-3.30pm (2 talks)    

·         29.04.14. NHSGGC Tour Victoria Infirmary Practice Development Classroom 1-2pm and 2.30-3.30pm (2 talks) 

·         30.04.14. NHSGGC Tour Vale of Leven MR1 1-2pm and 2.30-3.30pm (2 talks)

·         01.05.14 Speaking Sunshine House Wigan

·         06.05.14 Hosting Webinar NHS England Leeds International Nurses week 

·         06.05.14  NHSGGC Tour  Glasgow Royal Infirmary Boardroom 1-2pm and 2.30-3.30pm (2 talks)    

·         07.05.14 Speaking Care Inspectorate Conference 

·         08.05.14 NHS Borders Dementia Awareness Event 

·         09.05.14  NHSAA Crosshouse Hospital

·         12.04.14 Carers Dementia Support Group Edinburgh

·         13.05.14 Unveiling plague at Heartlands Hospital Birmingham

·         14.05.14  Scottish Practice Nurse Association Conference – Perth

·         15.05.14  NHSAA Ayr Hospital

·         19.05.14  ALLIANCE Annual Conference – Pollock Halls Edinburgh

·         20.05.14  Speaking at University of Abertay

·         22.05.14  NHSAA Crosshouse Hospital

·         22.05.14  Ardeer Centre, Stevenson - Care at Home Frontline staff event

·         27.05.14  NHSAA Ayr Hospital

·         27.05.14  Person Centred Care Conference – Make a difference stand

·         28.05.14  Person Centred Care Conference – Make a difference stand

·         20.05.14  Speaking at Moray College – 8 pillars Launch

·         03.06.14  Speaking at County Hall – Irvine for North Ayrshire Council

·         03.06.14  NHS Annual Conference - attending

·         04.06.14  NHS Annual Conference – attending

·         05.06.14  Speaking at Voluntary Action South Ayrshire Conference

·         06.06.14  NHSGGC Podiatry Development Day

·         10.06.14  Speaking at SG dementia event

·         11.06.14  NHSAA Ayr Hospital 

·         12.06.14  Brooksby Medical Centre, Largs - North Ayrshire Council Staff and carers

·         13.06.14  Central Borders Conference

·         17.06.14  Speaking to Birmingham Social Workers Seminar

·         18.06.14  Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust and Rowley Regis Hospital

·         18.06.14  Salford University – Nursing and Social Work Students

·         19.06.14 Meeting Cabinet Secretary for Health Parliament

·         19.06.14 NHSAA Crosshouse Hospital

·         20.06.14  Speaking at Southern General - NHSGGC

·         20.06.14  NHSAA Ayr Hospital 

·         25.06.14  Speaking at COSLA Event  - Link worker project

·         25.06.2014 Speaking at Care Inspectorate, Administration Staff

·         26.06.14  NHSAA Ayr Hospital

·         26.06.14  Speaking at Beardmore conference centre – Facing the future together

·         27.06.14  Speaking in Birmingham – Masterclass to Social care sector via BCDA

·         30.06.14  NHSAA Crosshouse Hospital

·         01.07.14  Attending Cuppa Club – Albany Centre

·         02.07.14  Dementia Café with Croy, Ayrshire

·         03.07.14  Speaking #BeGoodBeSocial Scotland's third sector social media gathering

·         08.07.14  North Wales Dementia Tweet-up Conference

·         09.07.14 Speaking Essex Lloyds launch  

·         15.07.14 Sunflower Dementia Gardens, Wrexham Hospital

·         23.07.14 Speaking at Carr Gomm Community Event Argyll and Bute

·         24.07.14 Person Centred Talks with Person Centred Greater Glasgow and Clyde

·         28.07.14 Cuppa Club, Glasgow

·         30.07.14 Dementia Conference Warrington Hospital

·         07.08.14 Speaking to Occupational Therapy Team South Ayrshire

·         11.08.14  Speaking Crosshouse Hospital NHSAA

·         12.08.14 Attending Promoting Excellence Board

·         15.07.14  Speaking at Ayr Hosptial NHSAA

·         20.08.14 Speaking at Quarriers Bridge of Weir Event

·         26.08.14 Speaking at North Ayrshire Council for Tony Fisher

·         27.08.14  Speaking at Drumchapel Hospital

·         29.08.14  Session for Social Media for Social Good in Glasgow

·         29.08.14  The Crossreach Dementia Ambassadors Conference in Perth

·         1.09.14 Speaking at Teeside University, Nursing students

·         09.09.14  NHS Highland Tour – Belford Hospital Fort William

·         16.09.14 Speaking Glasgow University, Nursing Students

·         17.09.14 Speaking at Warrick University

·         18.09.14  Speaking at Burton Hospital, Burton on Trent

·         19.09.14 University West of Scotland Ayr; 2 talks

·         26.09.14 Hertfordshire University

·         01.10.14 Speaking Ailsa Hospital, Ayrshire

·         03.10.14 End of Life Care Event, City Hospital Birmingham

·         04.10.14  Portobello Book Festival

·         7-9 10 14 DCV Exhibition stand at SG

·         08.10.14  6Cs Live Conference in Birmingham NHS England

·         10.10.14 Lanarkshire Acute Care for Older People

·         14.10.14 Hope Café Lanarkshire

·         15.1014   Abertay University

·         20.10.14  Speaking at City Hospital Birmingham

·         22.10.14  Speaking at Glasgow Caledonian University

·         23.10.14  2 events – Social workers in Warrington

·         24.10.14  Dundee University

·         27-30.10.14  NHS Highland Tour –    12 Talks
          
         27th October Belford Hospital Fort William

 28th October Caithness General hospital, Wick

 29th October Centre for Health Science, Raigmore Hospital site, Inverness

 30th October Lorn and Isles hospital, Oban 

·         31.10.14  Citizens Advice Direct AGM

·         31.10.14  HMFA Scotland Conference in Perth

·         03.11.14  Sunderland City Hospital - Planning for your future care conference

·         12.11.14  Wolverhampton End of Life Care Conference

·         13.11.14  NHS Western Isles Tour

·         20.11.14  Derbyshire NHS Trust End of Life Conference

·         24.11.14  Retreat in York

·         26.11.14  Protected Learning Time GP Practices, Murrayfield

·         02.12.14  NHSGGC Learning Session

·         02.12.14  General Practice Conference in Lothian

·         05.12.14  Cohort13 Senior Charge Nurse Conference

·         05.12.14  Social Media for Social Good Event

Speaking Media for Social Good -The Albany Learning and Conference Center

Hi 

With great thanks to Ross McCulloch (Third Sector Lab - Digital agency for charities │ Head of Communications@RelScot Founder @BeGoodBeSocial ) for the kind invite to speak at the Social Media for Social Good August 29th The Albany Learning and Conference Center 

I have had the great privilege to speak for Ross before and I look forward to attending,learning and speaking on August 29th 

you can more information on the event at the link HERE  as well as information on speakers confirmed to date below 

A packed day of expert talks and workshops to help you to get the most out of Social Media.

The latest our renowned Social Media for Social Good features a mix of practical workshops and inspirational talks for anyone passionate about social media. The event is suitable for charities, community groups, social enterprises and other third sector organisations as well as public or private organisations wanting to learn about the latest social media trends. Come away from this event with the skills and inspiration to make digital media work for you and your organisation.

Topics covered

One man mission - How an award winning campaigner uses social media to raise awareness of dementia

Twitter for good - Reaching politicians, journalists and other key influencers in 140 characters

Young people online - Safety, privacy and policy for third sector organisations

Advanced Facebook tactics – Content ideas to boost your likes, shares and comments

LinkedIn networking - Making connections work for you and your charity

Inbox heaven – Creating email newsletters that people actually want to read

Money talks – Simple tactics for increasing fundraising revenue using social media

Parent power - Using social media to connect dads, raise funds and campaign

Funder’s perspective - How you can use social media to achieve your aims and demonstrate outcomes

Speakers confirmed so far

Jennifer Jones - Project Coordinator, Digital Commonwealth 2014 

John Fellows - Head of Communications, Big Lottery Fund Scotland 

Tommy Whitelaw - Project Coordinator, Dementia Carers Voices for Health & Social Care Alliance

Rosie McIntosh - Communications Strategy Consultant, Third Sector Lab

Ross McCulloch - Director, Third Sector Lab & Head of Communications, Relationships Scotland

Claire Connachan - Senior Communications Development Worker, Youth Scotland

Leah Lockhart - Director, Relate Lab

Thomas Lynch - Project Coordinator, Co-founder and Trustee, Dads Rock

Carolyne Mitchell - Information Officer, South Lanarkshire Council 

Full timings will be released soon. Book today to join us.

Thanks for reading my blog, you can now watch my short films by searching 'My mums name was Joan' on this blog

Dementia Love story or tragedy we all have our part to play, which part will you play

Love story or tragedy we all have our part to play.

My mum’s life was built on a love story, her love for family, friends she cared for but most of all mums love for my dad and his love for her. Growing up like many family’s we had our moments but my mums love always conquered. We were always put first at all times and mums ability to care for everyone was inspiring, she was magnificent in my eyes and I miss her dearly.  I was thinking about recovery yesterday, I don’t think I will ever recover from missing my mum and a big part of that, the biggest part was all that dementia brought. 

My mum met my dad and they fell in love, so there began a love story and no matter what challenges came our way we always had love to get us through. There is a pain in my heart that just won’t go away and I don’t think it ever will, it was just too hard and I felt too helpless far too often.  Dementia on its own can break your heart and when dad passed away 10 years ago I thought mum would die from a broken heart, I truly did but what is cruller to die from a broken heart or not remember the person your heart was broken for.  Mum had family and friends to care for and worry about, she worried and cared for everyone and everything so much so that she put aside and hidden her broken heart.  I can’t hide my broken heart, there was too much struggle so many days feeling helpless, too little understanding from within and towards us and in my opinion across society about dementia.

My mum like all mums and dads deserve the right to keep their life stories closer to love stories and away from tragedies. Society has its own part to play until we take dementia and the understanding of dementia to the wider society then veering towards tragedy will always be there until the people we encounter understand the impact this illness has and their actions have on our lives.  The final chapter of our lives and love stories will always be affected, if only people could understand. 

My heart smiles when I think of the people who helped keep mums love story alive against all odds during her journey with dementia, even though this was only few, they will always have a place in my heart for helping a son and his mum get though the best they could.  The down side is we encountered too many who held us back, who never engaged with mum, who only saw a wee woman with dementia and almost wrote mum off.  My mum was never just a wee woman with dementia, she was Joan Whitelaw magnificent, kind, caring and right to the end her eyes shone with love she cared more about us than many cared about her.

Love story or tragedy what part will you play in the life of others?

Tommy             

Speaking HFMA Scotland Event October 31st

Hi  With great thanks to Sarah Moffitt Deputy Director of Education, hfma for the kind invite to speak at the   HFMA Scotland annual Event October 31st 
I look very much forward to attending,listening ,learning ,speaking , meeting everyone
l
you can find out more about the work of  the HFMA here 
Tommy 

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

Speaking Hope Cafe Lanarkshire event UWSHamilton Campus October 14th

Hi 

With Great thanks to Donna and all the team at the Hope Cafe Lanarkshire for the kind invite to attend and speak at the event they are organising with SMHAFF at the University West of Scotland Hamilton campus 

Donna and the team to amazing work and I am ver honoured to be invited 

You can learn more about the work they do here  

http://www.hopecafelanarkshire.org.uk/whatson/smhaff-production-yie-didnae-say-did-yie

link to @alissproject Edinburgh University Health e-Health Seminar WEBINAR

Hi 

I was Very honoured yesterday to  attend ,support  and take  part in a live webinar with / for Jane Programme Director @alissproject @alliancescot

The webinar  –was  hosted by BCS Health Scotland and in conjunction with University of Edinburgh. 

Janes  presentation on the aliss project  at the  lecture theatre in Edinburgh University was  broadcast live on the internet via http://www.video3uk.com/eventcasts/view.aspx?id=ECRk94Laj8S1

 I spoke  very briefly about our story 

Thank you Jane for the kind invite to take part 

you can view Janes Presentation here 

Tommy 

Edinburgh University Health and Social Care Integration: e-Health Seminar

Title

Co-producing health: technology and open data as an enabler of health partnerships in Scotland

Synopsis

This seminar explores the origins, development and application of an open source technology and ecosystem called ALISS (A Local Information System for Scotland); reflecting on its role in enabling inclusive health partnerships and improving health and wellbeing within our communities. 

Set in the context of the lived experience of carer and campaigner, Tommy Whitelaw, the seminar introduces health assets and their importance to our health and wellbeing. It examines the approach taken to the development of the ALISS technology and its application to date within the context of Primary Care. The seminar closes with a call to all citizens to become involved in co-creating health: whether in gathering, maintain and sharing asset information or in conducting further research in this area. 

Very Honoured speaking at The Retreat York November 24th

Hi 

A Big thank you to Chris Fry Learning & Development Manager  and Peter Gorbert

Communications and Engagement Officer at The Retreat York for the kind invite to visit and speak on November 18th 

I have heard many great things about the work being done there from friends Kim Pennock and Vanessa Garrity who also played a big part in making this happen 

thank you for the kind opportunity

website with all the Retreat details which you can find here: http://bit.ly/ReTomTour

And an event page for booking tickets which you can find HERE 

you can get more details on the Retreat at the links below  

The Retreat York, are an independent non-for-profit mental health hospital you can find out more at the link here www.theretreatyork.org.uk

 or watch a short film  here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTDT0Z1ATrw&list=UUZxnyDWXbqNl_M6FOqtiqrw

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

Update on Pledges: How are you getting on?

message from our Pledge Site 

We launched the ‘You Can Make a Difference’ Campaign in February of this year and it has been so inspiring to see it grow. Tommy Whitelaw has given over 100 talks already this year, with 170 scheduled in total, and we wanted to really thank those who have gotten involved and made it all possible.

The talks involve  Tommy sharing his own personal experiences from caring and the experiences of others who have written to him since he went on tour in 2011, to help people understand some of the issues that carers face, and what we can all do to help overcome these issues.

We are delighted to be able to say that we have gathered around 2000  pledges now, and each one represents the impact that can be made by each and every individual. If you made a pledge within the first few months of our campaign, we would love to hear how you have been getting on: What difference has it made? Has it been hard to fulfill? What have you learned from the experience?

We’ve put together a very short questionnaire which should only take a couple of minutes to fill in, but would be invaluable to us to showcase the difference that we can all make, so please do fill it in if you can.

Thank you again to all of you who have made a pledge, who have attended one or more talks, and who have shared our campaign online and in person. Let’s keep making a difference.

Team Dementia Carer Voices

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