Today,Speaking Camden town hall Dementia Awareness Event with thanks to Mayor Camden Meric Apak

Hi  

With great thanks to councilor Meric Apak  (social care exec Camden ) and  the Mayor of Camden  for inviting me to speak at their dementia awareness event /discussion on dementia and caring

Councilor Meric Apak got in touch after reading my blog about my wee mum, dementia and caring and asked if I would speak at an event the council are organizing

I look forward to speaking about caring for mum, letters and life stories, Once again great thanks to Cllr Apak and the Mayor of Camden

Dementia Awareness Event – Council Chamber – Friday, 19 April

Speakers:  Mayor will open the event and give some background to the event and introduce speakers.

Speakers are invited to join the Mayor in the Parlour at 4.15 pm to meet other speakers and for a general briefing on the event.

·         Councillor Pat Callaghan, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member  for Adult Social Care and Health

·         GP – Dr Caz Sayer, Chair of Camden Clinical Commissioning Group

·         Tommy Whitelaw, Dementia Carers Voices

·         Camden Dementia service Carer Norman Washington – Bier.  He cares for his mother

·         Robert Holman, Strategic Commissioner, Mental Health Care for Older People (HASC)

             

Order of Proceedings:

Council Chamber:

Tommy Whitelaw film to be screened in Council Chamber as people arrive http://tommy-on-tour-2011.blogspot.com

4.30        - Mayor to open discussion in council chamber and introduce panel of

                 Speakers and to invite Cllr Meric Apak to say a few words about why

                 he asked for this event to take place

4.35        - Cllr Pat Callaghan (to talk about the Dementia Plan, its aim and

                 objectives/key stakeholders and Camden’s plan and commissioning

                 priorities – briefing note provided)

4.40        - Norman Washington – Camden carer

4.55        - Tommy Whitelaw – will speak about his personal experiences as a carer

5.25        - Dr Caz Sayer, Chair of Camden Clinical Commissioning Group

5.40        Q&A session – managed by Robert Holman, Strategic Commissioner,

               Mental Health Care for Older People  (HASC) 

5.55        Summary of issues raised and how issues raised today will be taken

               forward

6.00        refreshments will be provided on civic floor

6.30         close

Caroline Bartram
Democratic Services Project Officer
Democratic Services
Law and Governance
London Borough of Camden

Saturday Speaking labour party conference with thanks to Jackie Baillie MSP

Hi

With thanks to Jackie Baillie Shadow Health secretary for inviting me to speak at the ;labour Party conference inverness  April 20^th mid-day at the carer event she is hosting during the conference

I have been to meet Jackie a few times lately and she kindly hosted a members debate at parliament on march 20^th and I have to say took great care of us that day

I look forward to speaking about ,dementia ,caring for my mum ,the letters I receive and families I meet on my tour

You can view the members debate at the link below

 Jackie Ballie comments 

http://www.jackiebaillie.co.uk/baillie-leads-debate-in-parliament

Video of debate

http://youtu.be/9iHhwjt7n2M

http://www.alliance-scotland.org.uk/get-involved/view/dementia-carers-voices/

http://www.alliance-scotland.org.uk/news-and-events/news/2013/03/dementia-carer-voices-heard-in-parliament/

https://twitter.com/DementiaCarerVo

Tommy WhitelawDementia Carers Voices

Today Speaking The Alzheimer’s Show London Mid day

Alzheimer’s Show 2013

We are delighted that Tommy will be speaking at The Alzheimer’s Show in London, the first and only exhibition and conference dedicated to helping people live well with dementia. Tommy will be speaking at 12.30pm on Friday 19^th April in the Alzheimer’s Talks theatre, a forum for individuals to share their experiences of caring for a person with dementia.

The Alzheimer’s Show will bring together experts, services and products under one roof so that people caring for a person with dementia can find the solutions they need to make living with dementia as positive as possible. The aim of the event is also to get people talking about dementia so that together we can continue to raise awareness and understanding of the condition.

Over 45 exhibitors will be showcasing the latest products and services, Admiral Nurses will be on-hand for free 25 minute consultations in the 1-2-1 clinics, actress Phyllida Law will be talking about and signing copies of her new book “How Many Camels Are There in Holland?: Dementia, Ma and Me” and leading voices in the field will be talking in the main theatre. These include Professor Alistair Burns, the UK’s Dementia Tsar, David Behan, head of the Care Quality Commission as well as representatives from Alzheimer’s Research UK, the Alzheimer’s Society, Dementia UK and Admiral Nurses.

Tickets for the show are now available from www.alzheimersshow.co.uk. 

The Alzheimer’s Show will take place at The Royal Horticultural Halls, London SW1 on April 19 & 20^th 2013

With thanks to all involved in particular Sara for this opportunity to speak as a son ,about the life stories I receive and the dementia carer voices project .Also a big thank you to First Group Scot rail especially Theresa and Janine for help with a train ticket to allow me to get down to London 

Meeting with Heather PRTFC Today...

Hi

Chris who does policy and information on my Dementia Carer and I  met earlier today with Heather noller  Policy and Parliamentary office for the Princess Royal Trust for Carer Scotland to chat about dementia and caring .We had good conversation and will be meeting again in a few weeks to see if there are projects can help each other with or possibly work together on .I had a good relationship with Lynn who previously held this post whilst I cared for my mum and hope this continues with Heather 

Tommy

You can view more about PRTFC at the link below 

www.carers.org | www.youngcarers.net | Follow us: 

Today Edinburgh, to discuss new ideas / project

Hi 

I have a couple of meeting in Edinburgh Tomorrow  to discuss  and hopefully take forward a new project I have been discussing with a few people .I cant at this time to go in to much more detail ,but I hope to take this forward ,have had a few discussions via phone and e mail and have sounded a few people out ,who are keen to get involved .so fingers crossed over the next few weeks thing will take shape and move forward

#dementia #awarness #acrossthecountry  

twitter @tommyNtour

Collecting Life Stories  ,raising awarerness

Short film shown at parliament http://tv.enterprisescreen.co.uk/watch?v=347

Back slapping ,I would rather have a shoulder to lean on

Back slapping ,I would rather have a shoulder to lean on

 I have spent and do spend most of my time out meeting families, living with dementia or caring for a loved one ,I also attend as many events as I can to listen and learn ,this culture sometimes of backslapping and telling us how well they are doing ,how great things are infuriates me .Absolutely we have to promote great work ,opportunities ,and services ,but I  struggle to listen to people who come from  behind their desks to wax lyrical about how great they are doing ,as most time it bares no resemblance to my life caring for my mum ,the hundreds of letters I receive or the thousands I have met over the last year ,so a bit less back slapping ,a bit more listening ,and getting from behind your desk to meet and listen to people might change your understanding,future plans and talks

A slap in the back I would much rather have a shoulder to lean on and prop me up when caring for my mum

met with Mental Health Civil servants – Tommyontour/ dementia carer voices

Meeting today Mental Health Civil servants – Tommyontour/ dementia carer voices

Hi

Irene Oldfather ,(my mentor ) Christopher (policy & information ) on my dementia carer voices project based on my Tommyontour campaign and myself met with Mental Health Civil Servants  from ST  Andrews house today TO  discuss and update on our DCV  project at the ALLIANCE .we discussed on-going projects along with feedback from our survey ,the letters I receive and people I have met on my   tour

We discussed also plans for the coming months .We are Scheduled to meet 6 moths into the project to hand over full reports so today was more of an  update and ,some discussion and progress report

this project is based on the life stories ,thoughts and opinions from families across the country ,our lives in our words  

Tommy 

Tuesday Speaking S.G. Hospital 4th of 4 talks to staff this month

Hi

I have been invited to speak to staff at the Southern General hospital ,4 talks in total across all departments .the first talk iwas  April 9^TH , followed by talks on April 16^th 23^rd and 30^th

With great thanks to head Nurse Geraldine Marsh for inviting me along to speak about caring for my mum, dementia, the letters I receive ,and people I have met on my awareness tour .

With great thanks to NHSgg&c*c for taking time to involve an son who cared for his mum and the life stories I receive

thank you to all who have taken time to attend to date and for the inspiring feedback

thank you

Tommy 

Yesterday ,the toughest of talks at the hospital my wee mum passed away

My wee mum was never in hospital to often over the 5 years I cared for her,over the last months of life my wee mum was admitted 4 times, for a week each time ,on the last occasion after a seizure she passed away .I have been invited by the hospital to speak to staff ,4 talks this month ,one a week on a Rota of staff across the older persons wards .I commend NHSGG*C  for this opportunity as a son to share my /our experiences over 5 years .A mum  living with dementia and a son trying to care for her and I say well done to Geraldine Marsh wards manager for making this happen

Today was the first of 4 talks and I thank all who took the time to attend .the talk today just happened to cover the ward my wee mum was in after her first seizure for a week 4 weeks before she passed away and in the day room I  sat in over that week .I have to say it was hard to hold back the tears as I walked down the corridor to do the talk and a harder journey  on the way out .The last time back in September I left the same hospital was the day my wee mum passed away I cried that day and have cried so often since and I had good old cry on the bus heading home today ,But I am grateful for the opportunity to speak about my mum ,dementia caring and the life stories I receive  .Its my passion and I am a would be awareness campaigner .I don’t know what my talks mean to anyone else ,that’s not for me to say ,but I hope they mean something ,I hope they remind people how great mums are ,how great dads are ,how great people are and the important part they play in the life and love stories of others,

I miss mum every single day ,she was my best pal and I I miss her even more tonight sitting at home after the toughest talk of all  

Tommy

Thank you First scotrail for my tickets to London for my 2 talks April 19th

Thank you First Scotrail for tickets to London for my 2 talks April 19^th

A big thank you to First Scotrail for my tickets to London on April 19^th for my two Demnetia awareness talks and then on to Inverness for the third  of 3 over the two days

This awareness campaign was started from my bedroom whilst caring for my magnificent  wee mum and without the help,understanding and support from others I could not have afforded to make so many of the talks I have been invited too

So a massive thank you to First Scotrail especially Jannine ,Theresa and Agnes (who first told Janine and Theresa about my struggles to raise awareness) for the past support and for helping me get to London to speak as a son at the Alzheimer show and Camden town hall on April 19^th then the Labour party conference Inverness on the 20^th

You can get more details on the talks at the links below

A wee photo collecting my tickets from Jannine 

The Alzheimer show 1pm April 19^th

 http://tommy-on-tour-2011.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/speaking-at-alzheimers-show-london.html 

Dementia awareness event Camden town hall 5pm April 19^th

 http://tommy-on-tour-2011.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/mayor-of-camden-invites-tommyontour-to.html

Labour Party conference April 19^th  

http://tommy-on-tour-2011.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/speaking-labour-party-conference-april.html

Inspiring day at Aram Cara dementia respite 4th Anniversary event

Inspiring day at Aram Cara dementia respite 4^th Anniversary 

Just back from North Ayrshire after attending and speaking at Anam Cara dementia support /respite 4^th anniversary event .It was great to see Kerry and all the team who do great work down there and I always feel inspired by their thirst to do more

I felt really privileged  to be invited to speak and was lovely to see so many families at the event and such a warm atmosphere

Thank you all for today

Tommy

You can learn more about the work they do at the link below

  www.northayrshiredementia.wordpress.com