HDA news, publicity, fundraising and events
HDA AGM & Family Conference - October 2008
November 2008
Well, another AGM has been and gone, and what a weekend it was! It all began on Friday afternoon as people started to arrive for the main event. We held three workshops; one for branches & support groups, one for people to share their experiences of HD with others, and the third to welcome newcomers to the weekend and let them know what they had let themselves in for!
The customary Friday night quiz went down very well again this year and competition was fierce between teams! As always there has to be a winner and someone has to come last – appropriate prizes were available for both to enjoy.
Saturday morning dawned and the AGM business was concluded swiftly at the start of the day. We then moved on to hear from Dr David Craufurd of St. Mary’s Hospital in Manchester. Dr Craufurd talked to us about living and dealing with HD and offered some practical advice.
Professor Heather Skirton of the University of Plymouth talked to us about discussing HD with children and gave some useful advice on how to approach this sensitive issue. Professor Skirton went on to provide feedback from the recent Carers Study, which many people have kindly contributed to.
Following the lunch break, Heather Pratten of the Chelmsford Branch took us on a personal journey regarding how HD has affected her own family, most notably her two sons. I don’t think there was a dry eye in the house as this was such a personal and moving account of her experiences. We’d like to thank Heather for her honesty and sharing her family history with us.
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Dr Andreas Wyttenbach of the University of Southampton updated us on the latest research techniques that he and his team specialise in. His talk provided very useful information into how they carry out their research and the results they have found so far. Dr Wyttenback provided the opportunity for people to ask questions and discuss their research further at his workshops on Sunday morning.
Professor Bobbie Farsides of the University of Sussex came to talk to us about the main features of the Mental Capacity Act, and was followed by myself and Bill Crowder, Deputy Head of Care Services, providing an update on the work of the HDA and some of the events we are currently planning.
Whilst the adults were in the conference, the children and young people were taking part in activities such as swimming and bowling and they even had a demonstration and workshop by a magician! Parents and guardians could relax knowing that their children were being cared for by our staff.
The day closed with the Grand Prize Raffle being drawn, and we’d like to congratulate those who won, and thank everyone for digging deep into their pockets to raise funds for us this year.
The Body Shop, who had a stall at our event again this year, also held a raffle along with Exemplar Healthcare for their Cadbury chocolate prize, and these were also drawn at the close of the day. Thank you to both of these companies for their support.
Whilst I am thanking people, we’d like to acknowledge the support and generosity of our company sponsors who have helped financially to make this event possible and allow us to subsidise attendance:
- Bartrams Associates (Mobility)
- Barchester Healthcare
- BUPA Colonia Court
- Careflex
- The Cedars Nursing Home
- Elementum Ltd
- Exemplar Health Care
- Kirton
- The Priory
- Royal Hospital for Neuro Disability
- St. Andrews Healthcare
- Sussex Healthcare
Our dinner dance was a grand affair again this year. The tables were suitably dressed for such an occasion, with flowers and balloons aplenty. Everyone was eager to get into the main room to take their seats and begin the festivities. As usual, the rocket balloons, pea shooters and confetti bombs went down very well (although not so well with the hotel staff!).
Additional raffles were drawn on Saturday night and there were many cheers and happy faces as people walked away with their prizes. Thank you to those who kindly donated prizes for the raffle this year.
The disco was even better this year, with our DJ taking a real part in the occasion and getting everyone involved in the party. He played our anthem ‘You’ll never walk alone’ and we spilled over the dance floor, arm in arm to sway and sing along. What an end to a great day!
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Sunday morning followed (earlier for some than others!), and a coach welcomed those who were taking the trip to Shrewsbury town centre. For the rest of us, we attended a choice of two workshops: relaxation and exercise, children & parent talks, moving and handling, research, branches & support groups, plus an opportunity to meet and ask questions of our Executive Council.
The day closed with a Sunday roast dinner, after which everyone began to take their leave.
It was another successful AGM and Family Conference weekend this year, and we’d like to thank everyone who attended for making it so special. We hope to see you all, and more, again next year on the weekend of 2nd to 4th October 2009, at the same venue in Telford. If you have never been before please do consider coming, you’ll be sure of a warm welcome and a great time.
Cath Stanley
Head of Care Services
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