Lesley trained as a physiotherapist in Manchester and qualified in 1986. She has worked in large teaching hospitals in Liverpool, Sheffield and Newcastle as well as in the community-based at a special needs school. She has gained a wide range of experience working within the paediatric field in a number of regional specialities based in Newcastle, with a special interest in acquired brain injury. Lesley and her family relocated to Scotland in 2005 and she joined us in 2007.
Stephanie Fraser | CEO
Stephanie Fraser joined Cerebral Palsy Scotland as Chief Executive in January 2012. Stephanie is Chair of the Scottish Government’s National Advisory Group for Neurological Conditions and a member of the Executive Committee of the Neurological Alliance of Scotland. She is also a Board Member of Creative Scotland and the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR).
Cerebral Palsy Scotland Conference Brings CP Community Together
The sixth Cerebral Palsy Scotland Conference and Exhibition brought together a record number of delegates to discuss key issues facing the cerebral palsy community.
Held on 3 October at Hampden Park, 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.
Over 300 people registered to attend the day, which was organised by Bobath Scotland and supported by Digby Brown Solicitors. And over 40 exhibitors had the opportunity to showcase specialist equipment and services to the CP community in Scotland.
The keynote presentation from Dr Joy Nisbet highlighted her recent report into the lack of available mental health support for people with CP and the continuing work at Bobath Scotland to ensure all the charity’s services are “psychologically informed”.
Workshops on the day covered topics including access to healthcare for girls and women with CP, discrimination in employment, reflection on walking aids, research into static versus dynamic standing for people with CP, and resources for communication. There were also a number of practical sessions including a boccia taster, a pre-school play session run by Bobath Scotland’s therapists and a dance workshop.
Robert Softley Gale, Artistic Director at Birds of Paradise Theatre Company, and actor Jack Hunter closed the day with an entertaining interactive discussion on representation of disability in the arts.
Commenting on the conference, Stephanie Fraser, Bobath Scotland CEO said:
“At Bobath Scotland we work hard throughout the year to deliver individual intensive therapy, therapist-led groups and other services to support children and adults with cerebral palsy.
“The Cerebral Palsy Scotland conference is a highlight of the year. It is an important opportunity for us to host a day of discussion and knowledge sharing that brings together the whole CP community; the event remains the only one of its kind in Scotland to focus exclusively on cerebral palsy.
“The atmosphere throughout the day was really positive. We are privileged to work with Digby Brown Solicitors in developing this event over the years and we are extremely grateful for their continued support. The conference would simply not have been possible without them.”
Access Presentations from Cerebral Palsy Scotland Conference 2019
Cerebral Palsy Scotland Conference biggest and best yet!
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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Making the transition from children’s to adult services
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.