OSCARR 2010 Nomination Form

 

Name of category:  SPLENDID SUPPORT

 

Name of person nominating:  Mike Hardy

 

I think East Dorset and New Forest  Branch/ Group deserves this award because:

 

The editor of the branch newsletter noticed that during coffee mornings and gatherings there was a great deal of confusion about the issue of Benefits and general entitlements. Some members had even bought their own wheelchairs and paid for minor adaptions in the home, an unnecessary expense.  Although the information was available on the Internet and from Social Services for some members, particularly those dealing with the implications of a diagnosis of MND, it was not in an easily accessible format.

 

To simplify matters the branch turned to the Local Citizens Advice Bureau requesting a short informative article. What emerged was far beyond our expectations; a detailed booklet clarifying in a few pages the whole issue of what was available, who could claim, the exact money on offer and simple guidelines on where and how to claim.

 

Sections dealt with Statutory allowances i.e. DLA and Mobility Allowance clarifying the difference between these and Attendance Allowance and explained Carers Allowance. Other sections deal with Means Tested Allowances   ranging from Income Support to Pension Credit,  Employment Allowance even to Council Tax and Housing Benefits. It even broached the minefield of NHS Continuing Care.

 

Building on this, the booklet outlined the services that Social Services should supply with useful contacts numbers and even Case Studies as exemplars.  At every stage the booklet was easily readable and contained a wealth of references and details of where and how to get help and advice. The booklet has been sent to all lwMND in our area and featured in a Newsletter as available free to anyone who wanted a copy

 

 

 

Funtastic Fundraising

 

We think       East Dorset and New Forest     Branch/Group deserves this award because:

 

This year as in nine previous years our group of volunteers and their families have spent many hours preparing for one of our most popular and profitable (averaging over £900 per year) fund raising events.

The venue for this event is an empty Dorset field which leads to the Woodland gardens – “renowned for azaleas and rhododendrons”.

As the heat of the day rises so does the temperature of the support team, who arrive in convoy to transform the quiet field into a bustling market place.

Unpacked are the heavily laden cars loaded with everything from tables, chairs, water, calor gas cooker, and all other necessities that a weary garden wanderer could wish for after an exhilarating but pleasurable stroll around the gardens seldom opened to the public.

From the scorching heat an oasis arises as gazebos are constructed by the team of dedicated volunteers.

A variety of refreshing drinks, homemade cakes and lovingly cultivated plants are made available for the welcome visitors, picnic tables and chairs create an alfresco seating area for that well deserved refreshment break on completion of the enjoyable garden experience.

Every convenience is provided for, even down to the rustic toilet tent (kindly loaned by the local Girl Guide group) discreetly located en route to the car parking area.

As the afternoon gives way to early evening, and the last of the visitors depart the tireless volunteers return the field to its natural Dorset beauty and generous landowner.