Dear Readers,
It’s good to make contact again.
Last month I introduced you to the Osborne Centre at West Parley, which is the hub of activities for the local branch of the MS Society.
This single storey building was purpose built in 1985, although five extensions have doubled its original size.
Facilities include a general day/dining room, quiet room, coffee lounge, computer room, gift shop, hairdressing salon, craft-room, consulting room and a physiotherapy suite.
For a minimal charge, people with MS are welcome to use the facilities, which are available Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.
We are a large branch, covering an area in excess of 200 square miles. From Upton in the west, all of Poole, Bournemouth, Christchurch and New Milton in the east, we then stretch north to pick up Ringwood, Verwood and Wimborne.
Members, unable to transport themselves, are picked up from their homes in one of our eight wheelchair adapted vehicles and brought to the centre by volunteer drivers and escorts.
On arrival, members are served tea or coffee with biscuits and are then able to enjoy centre activities or just sit and chat to their friends. Alternatively, there is a secluded garden and a quite room in which to relax.
Lunches are prepared and cooked on the premises and served at around 12.30pm.
At all times fully trained care agency staff are available for personal needs whilst volunteers will serve, feed and generally look after our members.
You may have noticed that the word ‘volunteer’ keeps appearing. With the exception of our branch administrator, cook and the physio staff, volunteers run our branch.
Next month: an insight into running a branch.
Bye for now
Alan Lindsay
President
Bournemouth & District Branch
MS Society
More volunteer drivers and escorts are always needed (a special licence is not required). Please contact the centre for more details. www.ms-bournemouth.co.uk Tel 01202 570300.
