Bobath Scotland has been awarded the Lasting Difference symbol as part of the first group of organisatons in Scotland to be recognised for their commitment to organisational sustaianability. We’re in great company alongside Victim Support Scotland, Dyslexia Scotland, Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland and Support in Mind.

Wren & Greyhound launched the Lasting Difference toolkit in 2016 and which has now been followed by the symbol which ‘allows organisations to demonstrate they are committed to taking action on organisational sustainability and working to best practice in the field.  Sustainability is the number one concern for non-profit organisations and those who fund, support and benefit from them.’. Bobath Scotland is delighted and grateful to be amongst this group.

You can read more about the programme in this TFN article.

 

MBE for Martin

Martin O’Neill, one of Bobath Scotland’s most dedicated supporters, has been awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Teacher Martin O’Neill from Newton Mearns has been awarded an MBE in the 2019 Queen’s Birthday Honours for his contribution to helping people with cerebral palsy and for his wider charitable work.

Martin O’Neill, a teacher at St Thomas Aquinas Secondary School in Jordanhill, has been supporting Bobath Scotland for the past 20 years.  

Martin has served as a trustee on the board of Bobath Scotland since 1999, only stepping down in May this year.

He has been tireless in his support of the charity, volunteering to run events, and speaking to schools, clubs and community groups to help raise awareness of cerebral palsy and the difference therapy can make to a person’s quality of life.  Martin’s son has cerebral palsy, and was one of the first children treated by Bobath Scotland.  

To celebrate the charity’s 18th birthday, he cycled from Bobath Wales in Cardiff to Bobath Scotland’s centre in Glasgow to raise funds. 

Commenting on Martin’s MBE, Bobath Scotland Chief Executive, Stephanie Fraser, said:

“We are delighted that, as Martin is celebrates his 60th birthday, he is to receive an MBE as part of the Queen’s birthday honours in recognition of his many years of commitment to helping people with cerebral palsy.  Bobath Scotland owe a huge amount to Martin and his family and it is wonderful that, as he retires as a Trustee, his service is being recognised publicly. 

“It is a measure of his commitment that he’s still volunteering at Bobath events and that he will be leading the new Disabled Scouts Beaver group that will be based at Bobath Scotland’s centre from June onwards.  Congratulations Martin. This is a well-deserved honour.”

 

 

Bobath Scotland working to support wellbeing of people with CP

Bobath Scotland has carried out a major piece of research looking at the state of mental health support for people with cerebral palsy nationally, and how the use of Clinical Psychology could add to existing support services being offered by the charity.

Over the past five months Dr Joy Nisbet, Chartered Clinical Psychologist, has been working with Bobath Scotland to build a picture of what mental health supports are currently in place for people with CP across Scotland, as well as consulting Bobath staff and service users about developing a more “psychologically informed” approach to the charity’s own services.  The research paper was made possible through funding from the Joan Strutt Charitable Trust.

The report concluded that, nationally, there was “a lack of strategic service planning around the lifelong and whole-person impact of CP”.

It was found that across Scotland there is a lack of CP specialised services available, and that supports available have a “predominantly physical focus”. Furthermore, through consultation with national representatives for paediatric, child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) and older adult Clinical Psychology, it was also established that “there were no clearly defined specialist mental health services for individuals with a diagnosis of CP.”

The report expressed concern about the lack of available mental health support, particularly considering a recent review which found that significant physical and mental health issues were being experienced by people with CP and their families.

Consultation with adults with CP, parents of children with CP and experienced staff also showed that “understanding the psychological impact of living with CP was consistently agreed as a current support gap and priority.”

Looking towards improving Bobath Scotland’s approach to mental health, the report proposes that the International Classification of Functioning, Health and Disability, or ICF Framework, presents a valuable model for service development.

Commenting on the findings of the report, Stephanie Fraser, CEO of Bobath Scotland, said:

“I very much welcome the findings of Dr. Nisbet’s report. It is vital that we develop a more informed understanding of the mental health implications of cerebral palsy.  Bobath Scotland continues to advocate at the national level for the need for more specialist services for the CP community. We know from people and families who use Bobath just how important this is, and that people’s mental health is not being taken care of to the extent that it should be.

“In commissioning this report, we are underlining Bobath Scotland’s recognition of the importance of addressing this issue, and our absolute commitment to providing services that support the whole person, which includes their mental health and wellbeing.

“As an organisation, we look forward to taking forward Dr. Nisbet’s recommendations and developing more psychologically informed approaches in our work.”

The research paper is now available to access on the Bobath Scotland website.

Martin O’Neill – End of an Era.

It is with greatest thanks that we said farewell to Martin O’Neill after 25 years as a trustee of Bobath Scotland.

The O’Neills have been part of the Bobath family since the very beginning and Martin has diligently served as a trustee throughout the organisation’s development. He has not only served on the board but as a fundraiser and advocate, even cycling from Bobath Wales to Bobath Scotland!

The board presented Martin with a commemorative decanter and book of memories.

We’re delighted that we won’t be losing touch with Martin as he’ll be leading the new Disabled Scouts Beaver group that will be based at Bobath Scotland’s centre from June onwards.

Bobath Scotland training more specialist therapists

Bobath Scotland is delivering a course to train more specialist therapists across Scotland in the treatment of children with cerebral palsy.

Starting this week (11 March), eighteen NHS physiotherapists, occupational therapists and speech and language therapists are attending the Bobath Scotland centre in Glasgow to undertake the Basic Bobath Foundation Course. The course is being fully funded by Bobath Scotland with support from Baillie Gifford. 

The six month-long modular course gives participants the theoretical background to the Bobath therapy approach, and provides practical and clinical experience in the handling, assessment and management of children with cerebral palsy. 

On completion of the course, the therapists will be able to use these skills to support children with cerebral palsy and their families in communities across Scotland. Course participants work in eight different health board areas, including Fife, Grampian, Glasgow, the Highlands, Lothian and Lanarkshire. 

The course is led by Christine Barber MSc MCSP DSA(CSP), a consultant physiotherapist and Director of Therapy Services at The Bobath Centre, London, with support from Bobath Scotland. 

Commenting on the training course, Stephanie Fraser, CEO of Bobath Scotland, said: 

“We are really delighted to be hosting this course in Glasgow and to be training and supporting a new cohort of Scotland-based Bobath therapists. This is something we have been working to achieve for some time and we would like to thank Baillie Gifford for helping us finally achieve our goal. 

“Bobath Scotland provides specialist therapy to anyone with cerebral palsy from our centre in Glasgow, and across Scotland through our outreach programme. But we know that people with cerebral palsy and their families need access to more support in their own communities, and therefore it is important to us that we should invest in developing specialist knowledge of the management of cerebral palsy throughout Scotland. 

“We are funding this course for NHS professionals because we are committed to ensuring that people with cerebral palsy benefit from the expertise of specialist Bobath therapists, whether that be through Bobath Scotland, or through NHS teams working in the community.”