www.mutual-support.org.uk March 2017 Views from Sunningdale Park Hotel—Booking form enclosed Multiple Sclerosis Society. Registered charity nos. 1139257/ SCO41990. Registered as a limited company in England and Wales no. 07451571 Mutual Support Patrons Dr Faraz Jeddi MBBS, MRCS(Ed), AFRCS(Ire), Pg Dip In RM Dr Anita Rose B.A. (hons), D.Clin Psy., AFBPsS, C. Psychol President Air Commodore Mike Barter CBE Honorary Life President Air Vice Marshal TB Sherrington CB OBE Vice President's Kim Bartlett Col Paul Cummings Air Commodore R Merry MB BS FRCP MRCPsych RCOG Honorary Members Christine Jones Roger Langdon MBE Lieutenant Colonel C S MacGregor KRH Stephanie Millward MBE Alastair Hignall CBE Newsletter Articles To Be Sent To: Liz & Neil Abrahams Newsletter Editor 10 Redriff Road Romford Essex RM7 8HD [email protected] Newsletter Deadline For : Sunday 26th March 2017 Cover Photo: Tripadvisor Sunningdale Park Hotel Chair’s Address I am delighted to announce The Soldiers Charity has once again shown its strong support of our work by giving us a grant of £8k towards general expenses in support of our Army members. Without funding like this we could not do what we do so our most sincere thanks go to everyone at the charity who made this happen for us – and in record time too! Everything crossed for a similar response from the other big donors this year. The audit I mentioned in the last couple of newsletters has finally been published and Simeon & I will now meet with The Society to discuss the next steps. The Society now has some significant issues with the fact that we operate differently from branches, something we have done since we first became part of The Society in around 1993. We operate differently out of necessity to support our unique membership and because many areas of The Societies administrative systems and training do not work for us. It was previously the case that The Society celebrated our differences and commended us for our outstanding administration, holding us up as a shining example to branches. However, things are changing at The Society and they are less comfortable with our differences than they once were. We are not sure what this will ultimately mean for Mutual Support but rest assured we are both doing all we can to find an acceptable outcome that enables us to remain as part of The Society but continue to offer members the kind of support they need. What we do not want to do is to effect change such that we become the same as branches, operating identically to them and thus lose both our identity and ability to offer members the support they need in the manner they want; this surely should be the aim of any charity and means that sometimes, particularly when trying to cater for a diverse part of society, that one size does not fit all. Bookings are rolling in to our new Events Organiser, Sarah, for the weekend of 5 to 7 May 2017 at Sunningdale and if you want to attend but have not yet applied please don’t leave it until the last minute (application later in this newsletter). At this weekend there will also be a ‘military-style’ dinner evening as is traditional at the spring weekends. A small donation is Invited for this dinner evening - £15 a head with a 50% discount for children. This includes a three course meal and drinks with dinner – outstanding value as those who have been before will know. There is no charge made for the rest of the weekend (food or accommodation) so you just need to get yourselves there to join us for an informative weekend of information on relevant topics, workshops for kids and carers, social events and a chance to meet other members. This weekend will encompass our ‘Annual Meeting’ – I deliberately punctuate this term as technically we no longer have any obligation to hold such a meeting. Indeed, The Society is positively discouraging such formal meetings. Our accounts are now audited and approved by the Society and require no acceptance by our members, Committee posts are no longer voted in by members but from now on will be approved by The Society. As our relationship with The Society is currently in question this year all posts will be approved by me and The Society has agreed this change. All this means that the meeting will be far less formal this year and will focus on us telling you what we have achieved this year and to encourage member participation in this less formal setting. It remains, however, a very important opportunity for you, the members, to engage with us as a Committee and make sure the services we provide are what you want, so please think about this in advance and if you have ideas you would like to discuss but will not be able to attend please contact me with your thoughts in good time. Enjoy the rest of the newsletter Suzanne - Chairman Support & Respite Weekend Spring 2017 5 - 7 May 2017, De Vere Sunningdale Park Hotel, Ascot BOOK NOW! After a very successful Autumn 2016 Support & Respite weekend at Nottingham, it is once again time to look forward to Spring and the next Support & Respite weekend. This year the event is back at Sunningdale and will be our last weekend there before the hotel closes its doors for good – a great shame. Details are still being finalised but the weekend will follow a similar format to previous events and professional childcare will also be provided at this event. The event will include an informal buffet dinner, followed by a quiz on the Friday evening, on the Saturday we will have guest speakers and therapy sessions during the day, a carers and a children’s session. In the evening we will be holding a military style dinner in the conference centre. Dress code is mess kit for those still serving and black tie, a suit or just something smart for retired members, equivalent for ladies – posh frocks encouraged if you have one! As we are back at Sunningdale we will be allowed to have our own bar with drinks available at a much reduced price. On the Sunday morning we will be holding a more informal than usual Annual Meeting, followed by a questions and answer session and afterwards to complete the weekend in style there is an all-inclusive buffet lunch in the hotel’s Steam, Bake & Grill restaurant; we would encourage everyone to stay after the annual meeting and take advantage of this before they leave for home on Sunday (so much better than a service station!). This weekend we would like to try something new for the children. Although it may seem a little early, we will be hosting a competition for the best Christmas card design—with the view to have the winner printed and available to buy at the next Autumn respite weekend. So Kids, get your thinking hats on! We will also be holding an auction for a very special piece of jewellery, details posted later in newsletter! These support weekends are free to attend, however as we are holding a formal dinner with wine included we do ask for a £15 per head donation (£7.50 for children) to help cover the additional cost of providing this. Of course the cost of the weekend is considerable so donations above this amount from those who feel able are very welcome. Please send a cheque made payable to Mutual Support to the treasurer at the address on the booking form, alternatively please make your donation online via the groups BT MyDonate page (if you pay this way it is crucial you send us a copy of the confirmation e-mail, otherwise we won’t know you have donated). Sunningdale Park provides a very relaxing and enjoyable atmosphere for the weekend and with places limited, please book your place(s) early to avoid disappointment. You can download the Application Form from the events page on the website, complete and email to [email protected] Alternatively post a hard copy to the address below, but email is the preferred option Folly Cottage Adsett Westbury on Severn Gloucestershire GL14 1PQ If you have any questions regarding the weekend please email as soon as possible – all queries to Sarah Edginton: [email protected] Sarah Edginton – Events Organiser Spring 2017 Support/Respite Weekend Booking Form DeVere hotel Sunningdale, Ascot 5 -7 May 2017 Please complete one form for each room required Name: Partner / Carer Name: Address: Telephone: Mobile: Email: Your email address will be used to acknowledge receipt of your booking form and confirmation of place Number of Adults: Children (Under 16): Please note we require the names of all children attending, along with their ages Accommodation. All rooms are en suite and have either a shower over a bath or a shower cubicle with 6” high step (we have some small steps available). Wheelchair accessible rooms are designed for the needs of wheelchair users, and have a wet room style shower; however there is a limited number of these available, so they will be allocated to those with most severe mobility needs first. Twin rooms are not available at this hotel unless you are prepared to be located in a building that is not particularly close to the conference facilities. Fully Accessible Double Room ☐ Double Room ☐ Single Room ☐ Put-you-up type beds are available for small children sharing rooms, please specify if required …………………. Other Information. We will arrive on (date) at (time) Have you attended a residential weekend before? Yes ☐ No ☐ Is the person with MS currently serving in the military? Yes ☐ No ☐ Are you a wheelchair user? Sometimes☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ Do you anticipate needing the help of the Professional Carers? Yes ☐ No ☐ If yes, you will be contacted regarding your care and equipment require- ments.