Bobath Scotland’s Annual Review launched at Cerebral Palsy Scotland Conference

Bobath Scotland’s latest Annual Review was launched at the Cerebral Palsy Scotland Conference and Exhibition on 4 October and showcases the charity’s achievements over 2017/18.

The Review sets out how Bobath Scotland has worked to make the lives of those living with cerebral palsy (CP) better over the course of the last financial year, between 1 April 2017 – 31 March 2018. This was achieved in three ways, by:

• providing lifelong support for people living with CP, through delivering therapy for children and adults, therapy-based groups for people of different ages, and therapy outreach;
• connecting and bringing the CP community together, both online and through events; and
• working for changes in policy that improve the lives of people with CP.

The Review also contains interviews with two families who talk about how they have benefitted from coming to Bobath Scotland, and what the charity means to them.

Commenting on the launch of the Annual Review, Stephanie Fraser, CEO of Bobath Scotland said:

“I am very proud of the achievements of Bobath Scotland over 2017/18. This Annual Review celebrates how the charity is working in different ways and at different levels, but unified by the sole purpose of helping people in Scotland who are living with CP.

“The Annual Review is also our opportunity to draw attention to the charitable trusts, foundations, fundraisers and donors who have supported the charity over the past year. Over 80% of our funding has to come from private sources. An increase in the amount of funds raised over 2017/18 compared to the previous 12 months has ensured greater access that ever before to our vital therapy services and we want to sincerely thank everyone who made this possible.  

“This year we identified the need to ensure more clinical specialist knowledge of the management of cerebral palsy is available throughout Scotland. Therefore we have committed to delivering the Bobath training course for Scotland-based therapists in 2019 and £50,000 (50% of the total cost) of our funds from 2017/18 has been earmarked for this purpose.

“We continue to be motivated by the many people who come to Bobath Scotland and who feel so passionately about the services we provide. We are determined to keep on improving those services, and to always ensure we are a lean and efficient organisation.”

Read Bobath Scotland Annual Review 2017/18.

Making the transition from children’s to adult services

This panel session, filmed at the Cerebral Scotland Conference 2018, provides information and personal experiences on making the transition from children’s to adult services.

The session was moderated by advocate and YouTuber Jenny Trott, who is also the parent of a young person who lives with a disability. Jenny’s YouTube channel is packed with useful videos covering topics from exploring communication aids to advice for how to plan for a caregiver emergency.

Panel contributors on the day were: Gavin Drysdale, a student and athlete about to make the transition into adult services, and Dr Danielle Farrel, managind director of Your Options Understood (YOU), a community interest company providing advocacy, consultancy and training on the self-directed support process. The third panel member was Claire O’Neill, advanced nurse practitioner and founder parent of Bobath Scotland, whose 25-year old son lives with cerebral palsy and made a positive transition into adult services.

 

Cerebral Palsy Scotland Conference biggest and best yet!

Held on 4 October at Hampden Park, the fifth annual Cerebral Palsy Scotland Conference and Exhibition was a great success, bringing together around 200 delegates and 40 exhibitors.

Organised by Bobath Scotland and supported by Digby Brown Solicitors, the conference is Scotland’s only event focussing on cerebral palsy (CP) and aims to bring together all people with experience of CP – either directly, through family or professionally.

Delegates heard from a diverse range of speakers, including Richard Davenport, Chair of the National Advisory Committee for Neurological Conditions and Dr Jenny Preston MBE, Clinical Lead for Neurological Rehabilitation in NHS Ayrshire & Arran.

Workshops on the day covered topics including mental health and CP, making the transition from children’s to adult services, self-directed support, postural care, Bobath therapy, Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC).   

The exhibition area was very popular with delegates, showcasing 40 organisations providing specialist equipment and a range of services that support people with CP.  

Commenting on the conference, Stephanie Fraser, Bobath Scotland CEO said:

“Bobath Scotland is determined to make the lives of those living with cerebral palsy better. Delivering the annual Cerebral Palsy Scotland Conference is just one of the ways we do this, alongside providing a range of services including specialist therapy, running groups and events, and working for changes in policy. 

“This was the fifth Cerebral Palsy Scotland Conference that Digby Brown and Bobath Scotland have organised together and we were delighted to attract more delegates and exhibitors to the event this year than ever before. The conference is unique in Scotland in bringing together the whole CP community and it provides a valuable opportunity to network, discuss key issues and find out about relevant services and organisations.  

“There was a really positive atmosphere at the event with many valuable conversations and discussions taking place throughout the day. We are very grateful to Digby Brown Solicitors for continuing to support this fantastic conference.” 

Highlights from the day were captured in this short film, put together by conference contributor and vlogger Jenny Trott.

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