Herefordshire Service User Network
What Can SUN offer me?
Why do people come to the Group?
Who runs SUN and how often do they meet?
Constitution/Terms of Reference
Our Ground Rules
Equal Opportunites Policy
Social Events
What do we do at meetings?
Members Stories
Service Provider Information
DATES
Using Our Website
DISCUSSION FORUM
Contact Information for Herefordshire Service User Network (S.U.
Links for Herefordshire Service User Network (S.U.N.)
Guestbook
Event Calendar
Mail Form
|
Annie Smith
Hi, My name is Anne (Annie) Smith and suffer from Multiple Sclerosis which was diagnosed in 1987 after my father had been concerned about my limp in earlier years and I decided it was time to investigate the problem having
had a few hiccups as well. People say I am always fun to be with as I try not to let my illness get to me.
I have two children - a boy 30 who lives in Bristol - a girl 28 residing in Birmingham. My last employment was at Hereford Hospital as a P.A. until my illness got so bad I needed to use a wheelchair and then it was the old Hospital, which was awkward using a wheelchair. Now I am glad I quit work
when I did!
I love eating out and the theatre. I spend a lot of my time on the computer and doing crosswords and attending the Herefordshire Centre of Independent Living Service User Forum and Herefordshire Service User Network and mixing with other people.
Look out for me on my scooter in town!
|
Anthea Penfold
 I haven't attended a Herefordshire SUN meeting as yet, but I have been a member of its predecessor, the HCIL Peer Support Group, since Feb 2001.
Having gained much help and support in my early years as a D.P. user, I feel that my presence may help and encourage others. I like the friendliness, and over the years the group has welcomed some excellent speakers and had many helpful discussions.
When I first attended one member was very encouraging just by being there!
One meeting that I particularly remember was about safety in the home. The person brought a model of a house, and we had a good question and answer session. I still use some of that information when I do HCIL's Risk Assessment.
Also, when I had to sack a P.A. part of the support I received was from group members' experiences.
I enjoy anything to do with history, whether books, TV programmes, visits etc.
Others interests are:
Art and music appreciation
Creative writing.
Some forms of poetry.
Just getting involved!
Watching my cat!
Working on my computer.
Pets: I have 1 ginger cat.
Family: I have 4 nephews (1 teaches Jazz Improvization in New York, and has a Japanese wife; 1 is leader of the 2nd violins in the BBC Symphony Orchestra; 1 is training to be an actor; and the youngest is doing a classical percussion course at Imperial College in London.
Needless to say, I am very proud of them all!
Places: Oberammegau (not sure of the spelling); Holland, especially the art galleries; Florence, particularly the Uffizi art gallery. In Britain, Cornwall; Edinburgh; the Lake District; the area around St David's; Manchester (Open University summer school); Oxford, Guildford; St Fagins Folk Museum; The Lord Nelson (tall ship); Lynton and Lynmouth, Devon; many parts of London.
Work & Training:
1. I worked in a ghastly factory office in Woking for 9 years.
2. 4½ years in the London office of Billy Graham Association - my happiest job.
3. 1 year in War on Want's London office.
4. 18 months at the London office of a Christian missionary society, Africa Inland Mission.
2 year Bible College course
Various Workers Education Association courses
A photography evening class
Open University, towards a BA degree in Humanities
Open College course in Disability Equality training (with All About Ability)
'Dealing with Difficult People' arranged by Gill Owen
'Using the Internet' Arranged by Gill Owen
I will be doing an OCN course with All About Ability on 'Diversity'.
I'd like to do a full counselling/advocacy course sometime.
|
Pat Buxton
 Hi,my name is Pat and I have been retired since I was in my late 40's.
I have been attending the Group for the past 7 months after finding it on the web-site when I was 'browsing' to see if there was anything which looked 'inviting'.
SUN,or 'Peer Support Group'as it was then, said that it was open to members and non-members alike, so I decided to 'give it a go',and, my, how thankful I am that I did! From the very first moment I was greeted with friendly faces and attitudes. I do so look forward to the meetings every 6 weeks, knowing that there will be positive outlooks on life, and an answer to any queries raised.
I had been dithering about engaging my one and only Personal Assistant as it had proved impossible to obtain a Relief for her, even though she was quite happy to work on until such time as someone else could allow her a day off each week. Thankfully, I did follow the advice and 'push' I needed from other members and now my life has been transformed. It is wonderful having help to get out and about and to arrange times to get up and retire to bed when I want and not to fit in with an Agency's Rota.
My great hobby used to be flat green bowling, preferably outdoor, but indoor during the Winter months. This with Skittles filled most of my leisure hours outside of home. However, nowadays I have to be content with less mobile activities such as reading, even there I received help at my first meeting by being introduced to Calibre Audio Books. These are fantastic for 'awkward' hands.
I do attend other meetings for Over-50's where there is a Speaker for part of the time. One week we were introduced to 'Manic Ceramics' and I so enjoyed designing and painting 'my tile' that I spent a morning soon afterward s in the studio in Church Street painting my own design around a sugar bowl. I made the mistake of staying the course until it was finished but one of these days I will be returning to be less ambitous with completing my task in one 'go', remembering that there is always a 'tomorrow'!
As I seem to spend so much time on my computer I also intend to see if I can trace my Family Tree.
Being single, my Family are two cats, black and white and Tabitha,self explanatory. Like most cats they 'own' me rather than the other way round but they are great company.
After leaving school I spent 4 years at Guy's Hospital,London to train for State Registration and my Hospital Certificate. I was lucky enough to be there for our present Queen's Coronation and a group of us were able to have time off duty to spend a VERY WET night on the pavement in The Mall awaiting the next day's exciting events! This was spent by a night dancing at the now defunct Lyceum Ballroom with a group of Royal Marines with whom we had struck up friendships during their breaks in the day.In time I followed up General Training with my State Certified Midwifery Certificate,then the Queen's District Nursing Certificate to enable me to undertake the training of Pupil Midwives on their District part of their Training. Finally, I undertook my training for Health Visiting (for my more elderly years), little did I know!!
I used to enjoy holidays abroad but for the past 3 years I have driven down to Sidmouth, though I am still trying to find an hotel which has heard of the the Disability Act!
I do love visiting the Donkey Sanctuary just outside of the Resort as they are so peaceful and very camera friendly.
|
David Norsworthy
 Having been disabled for many years I became involved with the SUN (previously known as the HCIL Peer Support Group) when it began in 1998. I was then employed by HCIL and one of my tasks was to set up and run the Peer Support Group which I did until my role changed in 2005. I now attend as a member and support others with Direct Payments and independent living issues.
I grew up on a farm that my sister and I now run near Leominster and with the support of 2 Personal Assistants I have lived in my own home since 1982. When not working I enjoy the outdoor life and spend a lot of time in my garden growing vegetables and flowers and tending to my increasing number of pet ducks! Other interests include all sports and arts, reading and studying, of which I am taking a year out from my psychology degree through the Open University. |
|
