FRANKLY SPEAKING Hope you have all enjoyed the summer such as it was! Thank God we BRAINBOX don’t go to Donegal for the weather. However, the craic was great.

Wimbledon is a far distant memory but the men’s final was just fantastic and the 15 year old girl from USA was amazing. Great sport. Felt sorry for NEWSLETTER OF THE BRAIN INJURY FOUNDATION ISSUE 73 JULY/AUGUST2019 Mayo in the GAA football but am hoping Kerry can beat the Dubs. Great to see Tipperary wallop Kilkenny in the . Roll on the rugby world cup in HAPPY BIRTHDAY BIF!!! Japan. Envious of member Arnold Carville who is travelling to it. Hard to believe that BIF is seven years old this month. Members Highlight of the summer for us was the wedding of our granddaughter, member Caoimhe who married Tom. One of the joys was a pre-wedding celebrated at a party recently in Our House.

barbecue when our friend Cathal Boyle, a fisherman from Donegal brought 30 lobsters to the party. He was good enough to give us 6 for our own use. If you know the price of lobsters you will appreciate the value of this gift. Anyway, Aileen decided in my absence to give one of the 6 lobsters to a friend recuperating from surgery and I asked her how she wrapped the lobster. It was already wrapped she says. Our friend was amazed to find his lob-

ster had turned into two frozen chicken breasts!

One of the disappointments of the summer was the increase in community tensions and the lack of respect shown by both traditions to the other. Attacks on policemen and the re-emergence of guns on our streets are also extremely sad. Most of us thought those days were gone forever. BIF has been relatively quiet during the summer; some people needed time

to recover from Enniscrone perhaps! Lovely to see facebook with lots of lovely photos of many of our members enjoying the sun abroad.

You might have read about a big store which opened its Christmas shop in mid August. We had our first booking for Santa then too! He is off with Orla and Shelene to in late November and we have had our first booking of Biffers for a Carers Christmas party. Christmas is definitely coming earlier every year!

Could not close without mentioning the very sad death of Brian Conlon, the man who established First Derivatives which employs hundreds of young people in well paid jobs. We offer our sincere condolences to his wife, family and employees. FACILITY HIRE DOWN MEMORY LANE We welcome enquiries, especially from voluntary and community groups, for the use of our This time five facilities including our small meeting room, large activity room and fully fitted kitchen. Our pub years ago we were with no beer is also available for hire for small functions, rehearsal space, meetings and so on. awarded £350,000 Ring us on 30839943 or email [email protected] from the BIG

MEMBERSHIP ENQUIRIES Trustouse Charitable Lottery’s Space & Foundation Place Programme Membership is open to anyone over 18 with a brain injury and their carers and family members. which allowed us Associate membership is also available to anyone with an interest in brain injury. To discuss to create Our membership call at Open House any Friday evening between 7.30 and 10.30pm or phone Frank House. Some of on 07740823713 or Aileen on 07596639487 for an informal chat or to arrange a home visit. the committee were at the awards OFFICE HOURS ceremony.

Monday -Friday 9am to 4.30pm.Tel 30839943, helpline 07596639487; mobile 07740823713; emails: [email protected] ; [email protected]

STAY INFORMED CHARITY EXCELLENCE AWARD If you want to keep up with the news and keep people informed you can follow us on Facebook. We are pleased to announce that BIF has You can also follow us on our website, www.thebraininjuryfoundation.com. Finally, we welcome been awarded the Charity Excellence any contribution you might wish to make to our newsletter. Email Frank at in- Framework mark [email protected] Please also make sure Aine has your mobile number so she can include you in our texting service. IF YOU HAVE FINISHED WITH THIS NEWSLETTER WHY NOT LEAVE IT SOMEWHERE WHERE IT MIGHT BE READ BY OTHERS OR PASS IT TO A FRIEND? CONTACTS: 30839943 OR 07740823713 OR HELPLINE 07596639487 EMAIL [email protected] WEBSITE: www.thebraininjuryfoundation.com

BY SURVIVORS AND CARERS FOR SURVIVORS AND CARERS OUR HOUSE,BY SURVIVORS 23 Newry AND CARERS Road, FOR , SURVIVORS AND Newry CARERS BT35 7JP

ENNISCRONE 2019 THOUGHTS FOR THE MONTH We asked those members who attended the respite break in Enniscrone to complete a satisfaction survey and were very pleased with the results which we set out below: Very pleased to welcome new volunteer, Alasdair Garnett from Warrenpoint who The trip was universally scored 100% for value for money now comes every Friday evening to help The hotel received top marks from everyone with our gardening in Camlough. The coach services provided by both Rooney and Newry and Mourne Community Transport both scored 100%

The majority of the visits also scored 100% but there were lower scores for the visits to the whiskey distillery and Knock The majority of people did not put forward suggestions for next year saying they are perfectly happy to go wherever BIF choses but there were requests for Scotland, Donegal, Spain and Kinsale! Comments made by some members included: “looking forward to next year”. “It is getting better and better every year” and “great trip. Enjoyed every minute”

Members are reminded that the annual respite trip takes place each year usually during the last week of June so you can put the date now in your diary! HOLIDAY SNAPS If you want a more permanent memory of Enniscrone or indeed of any other event in your life why not bring in your photos for framing by our team of framers, Hammy and Christopher? Very professional job guaranteed at a price that won’t break the bank. Previous photos from earlier Brainboxes can be provided on request. See sample on right.

MEMBERSHIP FEES Members are reminded that annual membership fees are due to be paid by the end of September unless you joined between 1st June and then. The fees are staying the same as previous years—full members pay £25 and associate members pay £15. The committee considers that we offer fantastic value for money would be very pleased if everyone paid their fees on time. Please do not put us to the expense and inconvenience of having to remind you of your fee. Sent by Julie Wilson pictured IMPORTANT DATES here with another of our wheel- chair warriors, Sean Calvey At long last we are in a position where we can see the possibility of developing special accommodation for brain injury survivors. We have identified a source of potential funding and have identified a means of construction which would put the possibility within our financial Most health professionals are excellent at reach. We have many hurdles to jump still but the first thing we want to do now is to ensure that working with brain injury survivors but we the right type of accommodation would be provided and that there would be a demand for the have had several experiences recently accommodation if it were to be built. Anyone even remotely interested in this project is therefore where some survivors have considered invited to an informal meeting in Our House on 25th September at 7.30pm. It would be helpful if they were not being given enough time to you would let Olive or Aine know if you are attending. respond to questions. The health Rod Stewart fans (and there are quite a few in BIF apparently) are reminded a group are professional was asking another question attending a tribute show on 19th October in the Canal Court Hotel. before they had heard the answer to the first. Another complaint was the use of Our next Mystery tour is on Sunday 29th September. Don’t miss it!!!! jargon. One survivor was told he would Carers weekend is planned for 23/24th November. Book now with Olive or Aine. not be suitable for a particular treatment The next Night on the Town will take place on Saturday 7th September. because it was “psycho-educational”. We are having a special consultation night in on Tuesday 17th September.

BY SURVIVORS AND CARERS FOR SURVIVORS AND CARERS BY SURVIVORS AND CARERS FOR SURVIVORS AND CARERS

ORLA’S RECIPE ARMAGH PAGE This month I chose a cajun salmon with avocado salsa. This is a nice dish and easy to make. You will need: 2 tsp cajun spice mix, 1 tbsp olive oil, plus extra for brushing 2 boneless skin on salmon fillets, 1 ripe avocado, peeled, stone removed and finely diced, half a red onion, finely chopped, salt and freshly ground black pepper. Method 1) Preheat the BBQ. Combine the cajun sauce mix and olive oil in a small bowl. Smear the mix- ture all over the salmon fillets. 2) Brush the grill rack liberally with oil Barbecue the salmon fillets over a medium heat for 10 minutes turning on all sides until cooked through. 3) Combine the red onion and avocado in a small bowl and season with salt and black pepper. Cooks tip This recipe is a great recipe for the BBQ though it's nearly BBQ season over. You can use all sorts of vegetables such as Lettuce, tomatoes and pineapple or if you don't like some Where do we go from here? vegetables don't use them. We have increased our membership from the greater Armagh area and have a number of out- SHELENE’S WISE SAYING standing membership enquiries from potential members who are closer to Armagh than they are This month Shelene’s wise saying is “Keep your head high keep your chin up and most importantly to Camlough. We also wish to build on the success of our horticulture project at Milford. We are keep smiling because life's a beautiful thing and there's so much to smile about.” therefore holding a consultation session open to any survivor or carer to discuss how we might improve our services in Armagh. This meeting will be held on Tuesday 17th September at NETWORKING 7.30pm in the City Hotel. The holiday season is a quiet time for networking but we were pleased to welcome New art therapy class in Armagh representatives for the new PSNI Community Hub team which has been established in Newry under the leadership of old friend Sergeant Des O’Sullivan. One of their initiatives which we We already have two brain injury survivors from Armagh who attend our art therapy in Camlough greatly welcome is a service to give particular assistance to vulnerable adults. so we have decided to transfer one of the Camlough classes to Armagh with our resident tutor, Oonagh Campbell. Art therapy has been one of the most successful activities we offer in terms of We also had visits for two staff members of the Community Development Health Network, Mary its impact on participants so we hope a number of other survivors will join our new class which and Laura, in connection with their award to us of a grant for a Community Pharmacy project. In starts on Thursday 5th September from 11.30am to 1.00pm in Dobbin Street Community Centre. this regard we welcomed Seamus Strain and his colleagues Moira and Karen to a project Phone Olive at 30839943 to register your interest. Class size is kept small to allow individual planning meeting. We had a visit from Lorraine Murphy of Carers Trust to discuss ongoing support so first come first served. collaboration and a visit from Margaret Dooley of the Southern Trust’s Recovery College which is planning to hold courses in Our House. Details of these courses are set out below. Horticulture at Milford is still blooming COMMUNITY PHARMACY PROGRAMME One of our newer members at Milford, Alex Bodel, has really taken ownership of the project. In addition to supplying us with a fabulous garden seat which we featured in our last edition he has Members will be aware we have been awarded funding in partnership with our local pharmacist, now organised the construction of a new raised bed and sent us in the poem below. Seamus Strain in Camlough and his team to offer our members this programme which is funded through the Community Development Network. This programme recognises that health is affected by not only the lifestyle decisions we make but that social isolation can be damaging for your health. This programme tackles the root causes of poor health and helps people to achieve their full health and wellbeing potential. The pharmacy team are key partners and are helped to fulfil their role as advocates for public health in communities. We plan to have the first formal ses- sions in October and will be carrying out preliminary actions over the month of September. This will include consultations with members to agree the detailed content of the programme and to conduct an initial study of health inequalities. There will be eight separate sessions each for brain injury survivors and carers and two joint sessions including a final celebration. For further details speak to Frank or Olive. As we sit upon the seat RECOVERY COLLEGE PROGRAMME And watch the veggies The Recovery College is an initiative of the Southern Health and Social Care Trust and has a grow base in Newry. If offers education rather than therapy as an aid to coping with mental health What a wonderful thing challenges and will be offering 6 short sessions in Our House which are open to all members and to see to others who may be interested. The details are: A gardener’s life is for 18th September: Introductory session, Recovery by Discovery All sessions are on me 25th September/ 2nd October: Being there for people Wednesday mornings and start at 10am and Alex Bodel 9th October: Getting a good nights sleep finish at 12.30pm at 16th October: 5 ways to wellbeing the latest. Bookings 23rd October: Food and mood through Olive or Aine

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PROGRAMME OF ACTIVITIES, SEPTEMBER 2019 CONGRATULATIONS Once you book for an activity you MUST inform Aine or Olive if you are unable to attend. Items Best wishes to member Caoimhe Dolaghan and her new husband Tom Skinner who were married Marked in red are new or once off activities. in Cloughogue Chapel on 25th July.

Monday 2nd 11.30- 1.00pm Picture framing Our House . Monday 2nd 1.00– 2.00pm Water aerobics Infinity pool, Tuesday 3rd 11am– 3.00pm TTT Club including movie matinee Our House Tuesday 3rd 10.30.– 4.30pm Horticulture (two sessions) Milford, Armagh Wednesday 4th 11.00-1.00pm Art therapy Our House Wednesday 4th 7.30– 10.00pm Pool Biffers Thursday 5th 10.00– 1.00pm Computer classes Our House Thursday 5th 11.30—1.00pm Art therapy class Dobbin Street Armagh

Friday 6th 7.30pm—10.30pm Boccia, pool, jive, socialising, board games, bingo Our House, BIFFERS

Saturday 7th 7.30pm—10.30pm Night on town La Dolce Vita Monday 9th 11.30 - 1.00pm Picture framing Our House Monday 9th 1.00pm—2.00pm Water aerobics Infinity pool, Bessbrook

Tuesday 10th 11.am- 3.00pm TTT Club including armchair aerobics Our House

Tuesday 10th 10.30– 4.30pm Horticulture, two sessions Milford, Armagh

Wednesday 11th 11am– 1.00pm Art therapy class Our House Wednesday 11th 7.30—10.00pm Pool Biffers We send birthday wishes to the following members who celebrated big days in July and August: John Stewart, Ally Wilson, Fiona Walker, Tony Dolaghan. Wednesday 11th 7.30pm Committee meeting Our House Thursday 12th 11.30-1.00pm Art therapy class Dobbin Street Armagh Congratulations on their recent wedding anniversaries to Pat and Mary Cunningham. Brian and Martina Dickson, Charlotte and William Haffey and Frank and Aileen Dolaghan. Thursday 12th 1.30– 2.30pm Pilates Our House Friday 13th 7.30pm—10.30pm Boccia, pool, jive, socialising, board games, bingo Our House, Biffers Congratulations to all of our members and their families who graduated from University or had good A level and GCSE results over the summer and best wishes to them in their future careers Monday 16th 11.30—1.00pm Picture framing Our House and further studies. Monday 16th 1.00-2.00pm Water aerobics Infinity pool, Bessbrook Congratulations also to Tommy Hawthorne, Olive’s husband, on his new job with ABC District Tuesday 17th 11.am- 3.00pm TTT Club including armchair aerobics Our House Council. Tuesday 17th 10.30-4.30 Horticulture, Two session Milford Armagh REGRETS Tuesday 17th 7.30pm Consultation meeting Armagh Wednesday 18th 11am– 1.00pm Art therapy class Our House Very sorry to hear that good friend of BIF, Kerrie Patterson is ill in hospital and we send her all our Wednesday 18th 10am-12.00pm Recovery by Discovery session (Recovery College) Our House thoughts and prayers in the hope she will soon be restored to full health. Good wishes also to Wednesday 18th 7.30—10.00pm Pool Biffers Pearse Rafferty from Armagh who is off with a broken ankle, to Kevin Dolaghan who is off with a broken wrist and elbow and to Gerry Mathers who is ill. Our thoughts and prayers are also with Thursday 19th 11.30-1.00pm Art therapy class Dobbin Street Armagh Andrew Smyth at this time. Thursday 19th 1.30– 2.30pm Pilates Our House Friday 20th 7.30pm-10.30pm Boccia, pool, jive, socialising, board games, bingo Our House/Biffers ARE YOU REGISTERED? Monday 23rd 11.30—1.00pm As above Our House, Infinity The Southern Trust maintains a carers register which enables it to identify carers and make them Tuesday 24th 11.am- 3.00pm TTT Club including armchair aerobics Our House aware of the help and support the Trust can offer. It is very important that as many carers as Tuesday 24th 10.30-4.30 Horticulture, Two session Milford Armagh possible register. Any one of our carers who has not yet registered should contact the Carers Wednesday 25th 11.30—1.00pm Art therapy class Our House Coordinator at 028 37566284 or by email at [email protected] Wednesday 25th 10.00-12.30pm Being there for people session (Recovery College) Our House HELP FLY OUR FLAG Wednesday 25th 7.30—10.00pm Pool Biffers Members are reminded that we have both BIF T shirts and fleeces available for purchase. Some Wednesday 25th 7.30pm Consultation meeting on accommodation Our House of the T shorts are small sizes and would make ideal gifts for children. Contact Olive at any time. Thursday 26th 11.30-1.00pm Art therapy class Dobbin Street Armagh Thursday 26th 1.30– 2.30pm Pilates Our House WELL DONE DONNA Friday 27th 7.30-10.30pm Boccia, pool, jive, socialising, board games, bingo Our House/Biffers You have to be up early to catch our Donna McGivern! Already Donna is Sunday 29th 10.30am Mystery Tour Depart Tescos promoting her beautiful hand made gingerbread men which make lovely Monday 30th 11.30—1.00pm As above Our House, Infinity personalised Christmas presents for children. Not only has Donna started it would be very helpful if members could return the enclosed expression of interest form to take orders but single handedly she has launched a full scale facebook as soon as possible to Olive or Aine. In addition to our scheduled activities Our House is campaign. That is putting it up to us all. What are your plans to raise funds always open for members to drop in between 9am and 4.30pm daily. If you need to speak for us between now and Christmas? Remember you can ask others to fund privately to Frank or Olive it is useful to make a specific appointment. raise as well as doing something yourself : family members, neighbours,

BY SURVIVORS AND CARERS FOR SURVIVORS AND CARERS BY SURVIVORS AND CARERS FOR SURVIVORS AND CARERS