Wednesday 29 June 2011

Expert Patient Programme from 8th Sept until 13th Oct 2011

15 places available

The Expert Patient Programme builds on the principal that people with long-term health problems already know best how their condition affects the way they feel, their lifestyle and their ability to accomplish activities important to them. The course explores ways to positively manage their symptoms, to improve on daily activities and manage the changing emotions that can be brought about by a chronic condition.

This course is open to anyone with a long term condition such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, COPD, coronary heart disease, arthritis or any long term condition. If you feel the time is right to learn new life skills to help you cope better in your day to day living and gain confidence in managing your condition then this course is for you.

This is a free course and runs for six weeks from Thursday 8th September until Thursday 13th October. Each weekly session lasts for two and half hours, running from 2.00 pm to 4.30pm.  This course will take place at Reading’s International Solidarity Centre (RISC), 35-39 London Street, Reading, UK, RG1 4PS.

Weekly sessions cover topics such as managing symptoms, relaxation techniques, diet and exercise, how to communicate effectively with health care practitioners and how to deal with some of the difficult emotions of fear and frustration. The atmosphere is very informal and supportive which enables people to relax and get to know each other.  The venues are checked to ensure they are accessible for wheelchair use.  Family carers of those on the course are welcome to link up with the course tutors, although they will not attend the sessions themselves.

There are 15 places available on the September course so if you are interested in joining the course you need to apply before Thursday 18th August to Lesley Wyman on 0118 982 2885, email: lesley.wyman@berkshire.nhs.uk.

Early-Bird booking form for Ryder-Cheshire Volunteers Conference in Birmingham on 21 Sept 2011

Save upto £40 when you book before 8th July
call the Office Manager at RCV on 01926 485446

The Personalisation Agenda: A panacea for welfare reform?
Overcoming the challenges facing providers and practitioners

Whilst the concepts surrounding Personalisation aren’t new,
applying the principles to practice has created some unexpected
challenges for practitioners. Figuring out how services fit within a
developing marketplace and reconfiguring operational activity so as
to provide a menu of choice is confusing. RCV’s conference aims
to provide delegates with the lessons learned.
Hear from providers and practitioners who have successfully
navigated the maze and are happy to share their experiences, be
they good or bad.
Who should attend:
. Self funders
. Social Workers and Care Managers
. Social Care professionals
. Chief Executives
. Self Care and Personalisation Leads
. Long Term Conditions Leads
. Self-Directed Support Teams
. Direct Payments Teams
. Independent Living Teams
. Individual Budget Teams
. Home Care Providers
. Adult Protection Teams
. HR and Workforce Development
. Transformation Teams
. Directors of Nursing
. Practice Managers
. PALs
. LINKS
. Specialist Nurses for Long Term Conditions
. Medical Practitioners
. PCT personnel
. Case Managers
. Personal Injury Specialists
. Allied health professionals
. Direct Payments personnel
. Carers
. Other service providers

Free bursaries

To ensure our event is accessible to
RCV Members, unwaged family and/or carers, there are up to
five free places available. Apply by post or email
stating why you would like to attend.

Promotional opportunities
For more information about promotional
opportunities at this conference, such as
exhibiting and including your promotional materials
in the conference delegate packs, please contact the
Office Manager at RCV on 01926 485446
For further information about RCV, please visit
www.rcv.org.uk

East Reading Festival 2011 - Six days of Fun

East Reading Festival will take place over six days from Thursday 30 June to Tuesday 5 July 2011. The family fun day will take place on Sunday 3 July from 12pm - 4pm in Palmer Park.
For details of the events please visit: http://www.reading.gov.uk/General.asp?id=SX9452-A7841610

Tuesday 28 June 2011

Maternity Services Liaison Committee

A team dedicated to improving your maternity care, Maternity Services Liaison Committee have been involved in:
. Improving and developing services to promote Normal Birth
. Developing the maternity DVD
. Raising money for the Royal Berkshire Hospital's Stork fund.

The Maternity Services Liaison Committee holds quarterly meetings. Members discuss a wide range of Maternity issues and make suggestions for improvements. You can be involved if you are a parent in Reading, Wokingham and West Berkshire areas. Mums and dads are welcome.

For further information or for comments, please contact westberksmaternity@live.co.uk

Wednesday 8 June 2011

Reading LINk Drop-In Sessions -starting 6th July 2011

Reading LINk will be holding informal drop-in sessions at Reading Voluntary Action Volunteer Centre on a fortnightly basis.

We will provide information about LINk and the work that we do, and welcome feedback from people about their experiences of local health and social care services. We will be inviting guests to provide information about their services.

We will be starting on July 6th at 10am -12pm and are pleased to have a Health Trainer with us who will be able to offer advice about healthy eating and exercise.

The next event will be held on 20th July 10am -1pm. This event will be open to all who would like to come in and have a chat with the LINk team.

On 3rd August we will have Michele Le Sueur, the Volunteer Centre Manager who will be offering advice to those who have special issues or support needs but would like to do voluntary work.

If you are interested in these events or would like to offer your services for question and answer sessions please contact Merlyn Barrett LINk development worker on: 01189 584849 or email Merlyn.barrett@rva.org.uk

Monday 6 June 2011

Equally Healthy - An Event to Make the NHS Work Well for Everyone - 14 July 2011

Come and speak directly to NHS organisations in Berkshire about how they can deliver
‘Equally Healthy’ accessible services for all. Speakers and workshops will explain how the new NHS Equality Delivery System will be
used in the ambulance service, mental health and community health services,
commissioning bodies and hospitals to ensure:
.Patient care and access to services is improved
. A better understanding of treatment to improve the patient experience
. Staff feel safe, valued and treated equally
. Patients are treated with dignity and respect
. Leadership on equality
Are your circumstances sometimes ignored?
Can you contribute to building a better experience?
As a voluntary or community group you can support your clients by expressing key requirements be these cultural, religious or relating to disability, gender, sexual orientation, age, family circumstances or health.

To book your free place please contact Anna Fowler on 0118 958 4849, anna.fowler@rva.org.uk or visit www.rvadirectory.org.uk/eventreg/20110714/equally-healthy---make-the-nhs-work-well-for-every
Please let us know if you have any dietary requirements in advance. Venue fully accessible. BSL interpretation is available on request.
Thursday 14th July 2011 10:00 - 14:00 The Town Hall, Blagrave Street, Reading, RG1 1QH