Reading, Wokingham & Districts MS Society

Resources for People with Multiple Sclerosis

Resources for people with multiple sclerosis is written by someone with vision problems who has volunteered to participate in the testing of accessibility tools.  It identifies software features that may be of use to people affected by MS.  For further information click here.

If you want to read some of the other articles or sign up to receive the Accessibility Update newsletter, go to the Microsoft Accessibility website.

MyMSmyWAY.com is a US based website which also has some helpful information on affordable assistive technology solutions for people with Multiple Sclerosis.

You can also find the results of a recent survey which looks at how people with MS are using technology.

Morrisons, Reading Flagday

Successful collection

Our collection at Morrisons in Reading yielded a very healthy £465.75. Well done and thank you to everyone who collected.

Fundraising

Asda Collection

Well done to everyone who collected at ASDA in Lower Earley. A total of £815.72 was raised despite everyone being evacuated due to the fire alarm going off during Friday afternoon!

Thank you

Shirley Boyt

New health centre at Battle Hospital site

Heather Cresswell

You’ve probably heard about the development of houses and a superstore on the old Battle Hospital site but did you know about the Health and Wellbeing Centre? The Berkshire West NHS Primary Care Trust are building this new facility which will be available for everyone to use, even those who live outside Reading.

During January, February and March the Trust would like your views on what should be included in the centre If you would like to have your say, please contact me on 931 1017 and I will send you details. Alternatively you can complete an online questionnaire on the the Berkshire West Primary Care Trust site

Fundraising

Tesco Collection

Fundraising got off to a fantastic start at the recent flagday collection at Tesco's in Reading. Despite a double booking with another charity our collectors raised a brilliant £574.88. A big thank you to everyone who collected.

Free local bus travel anywhere in England

Thats right - from 1st April 2008 the rules are changing and if you are aged 60 or over or an eligible disabled person you will be entitled to free local bus travel anywhere in England at off peak times. These are between 9.30am until 11pm.

Because of this new ruling you are not only able to travel freely to do your shopping or visit the local hospital or family and friends, you will be able to travel and visit family or friends further afield, perhaps a seaside break or even a different type of activity.

The Department of Transport and Local Government Association have suggested other areas of interest:-

You may enjoy seeing the last QEII voyage to Southampton in April or enjoy visiting the British International Motor Show in July or even visiting Europe's Capital of Culture 2008 - Liverpool.

Transport Minister Rosie Winterton said: "I hope that people will use their pass to gain greater freedom and independance. It is no longer just for regular everyday journeys - it can also provide some great days out."

The Government is providing additional funding of £212 million a year from April 2008 to fund the England bus concession.

If you would like further information why not visit www.direct.gov.uk/buspass

Carers' needs survey

All carers are invited to take part in a Kings College research project into the
needs of those caring for someone with MS. This is your chance to help shape Government Policy. Find out more at http://tinyurl.com/ytssnc or call Diana Jackson or Dee Howley: 207 848 5582 or 0207 848 5418

Fundraising latest

Gwen Burke, Shirley Boyt

Our final flagday of 2007 took place in Woodley on 15th September. Despite the distraction of a new Saturday market we collected a very respectable £576.13. A huge thank you to everyone who collected.
Thanks everyone who has turned out to collect this year - the total raised was £5331.47.

Pagoda sales in September and October meanwhile raised £312 and £252, bringing the year's total to £1,242. Thank you to everyone who has helped at our pagoda sales this year and also to those who donated items for sale.

Funds from Chapel Row Fayre

We were very fortunate to be chosen as one of four charities to benefit from The Chapel Row Fayre which took place during the August bank holiday weekend. The total raised was a staggering £10,500 of which we received £3,500.

 

Web editors wanted!

Keith Penton, webmaster

You're reading this on the branch's new website. Would you like to help keep it up to date, if only by feeding in your comments?

We're looking for a few people to work as a team, updating the site on a week by week basis. No technical knowledge is required. Headlines, text and other details in the news pages are simply entered on a web-page form and published by clicking on a button (with keyboard alternatives, naturally). If you can edit photos and other images on your computer, you could add them to the Gallery or news items. We'll help you shape text for web pages using built-in features, and show you how to prepare pictures. Eventually we'd like a volunteer to fill the webmaster and chief editor role(s), as well.

Don't be shy - even if you don't want to be an editor, you can help by sending in news, or by giving feedback on the site: Is it easy to use? Does it look right on your screen and browser combination? Be specific: "It's a load of rubbish" does little to help us identify what to keep and what to change.

Use the Contacts page to send in news stories or feedback, or email direct to enquiries@msreading.org.uk.

Hydrotherapy

Diane Goodlock

Our hydrotherapy sessions have resumed at long last. Agreement has finally been reached with the Royal Berkshire Hospital, allowing us to use their new pool. Hydrotherapy (gentle exercise in water) can be a very beneficial treatment for those with MS. It can help reduce pain, relieve stiffness and reduce spasms.

Harvest Lunch

The Harvest Lunch at Rushall farm on September 16th was enjoyed by everyone. The Black Barn is such a lovely setting and as always the food was delicious. Thanks to John and Lindsay bishop and all their helpers for once again sharing this special time with our members.

Course for the newly diagnosed

Heather Cresswell

Getting to Grips with MS, a course for the recently diagnosed.   Getting to grips is a course specially designed for people who have been recently diagnosed with MS and their families. It is a six-week course, held on Thursday evenings at the Earley Crescent Resource Centre in Lower Earley.

Contact Heather on 0118 9311017.  

Volunteers needed

Shirley Boyt

It may surprise you to learn that we rely entirely on volunteers to run our Branch activities.  New volunteers are always welcomed and these are just some of the ways you could get involved. It needn't be a huge commitment even a small amount of your time would be valued. Perhaps you could:

sell raffle tickets, publicise an event, bake a cake, make tea at a social event.

If you have a little more time to spare maybe you'd like to:

drive one of our minibuses, look after our website, help organise fundraising events, visit someone with MS.

If you have a young person in your family who is taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme, they might like to help us as part of their charitable work.

Contact us, we'd love to hear from you.

Message from your new Chairman

John Gaff

Hello everyone,
At my age I feel a bit silly introducing myself as a ‘new boy’, but nonetheless that is what I am, having just taken over as Chairman from Rosemary... (Read more in the Reports page)

Community champion

Well done to Di Goodlock, who was highly commended in the BBC South Community Champions Awards 2007. Viewers of BBC South Today, and listeners to BBC local radio stations nominated those who they thought deserved special credit for going the extra mile to help others in the community. There was an online vote and Di finished as runner-up in the ‘Contribution by a Person with a Disability’ category.

Click here for picture of Diane receiving a certificate from Esther Rantzen.