|
Young Peoples Project |
|
Many members are not aware of the great work ME North East is doing supporting and working with young people with ME, their families and carers. Sheila Carruthers is our dedicated project worker, she has been in post for over 6 years now and is funded in the main by Children in Need. Other funds to support this project come via our sponsored events or family fund-raising and donations. Sheila did write regularly in our newsletter Focus, but now directs her time to the young people’s newsletter (ME&U) and a news-sheet for parents (with information of concern re; education, welfare benefits etc.,)
Sheila visits young people at home, attends consultations with Paediatricians (at the request of the family and/or the Paediatrician). She attends school review meetings and helps to negotiate reduced timetables, home tutoring, re-integrations to school and exam concessions. She supports young people to manage their energy levels, helps to set an agreed base line of activity and sleep management. Sheila has received training directly from Dr Esther Crawley (National Paediatric lead for ME services) and continually seeks advice and support from a number of paediatricians across the region. Sheila has developed an in-house counselling service with two trained counsellors regularly seeing young people (and some adults). BACP registered and professionally supervised this service is providing much needed and valued help. Sheila has a diploma in counselling herself and is presently working towards a degree in health and social care. Sheila also delivers training and presentations to social service staff and to education providers and pupils. In the County Durham area where there are NHS services for young people with ME and the education authority have a dedicated ME home & hospital and advisory service for ME, Sheila works in collaboration with the therapists and teaching staff. The number of referrals to Sheila has grown rapidly in the last 18 months, and Sheila has an active workload of around 80 cases, way above the limit for one person. In the last year for example she has: Delivered presentations to over 700 young people and professionals to raise awareness and knowledge of the condition Expanded the counselling service Provided a ‘Relaxation Starter Kit’ to be rolled out across the area in September 2009 287 home visits With one more year of funding available we are looking to the future. In order to maintain the level and quality of service offered we need a second person to deliver this project. Funding in the voluntary sector is getting more difficult to find, funders are reducing their overall grant giving and more voluntary groups are chasing these smaller pots of money. We do rely heavily on our members via events and sponsorship to maintain our services, and whilst we strive to succeed in our grant applications, we hope you will continue to support us, as you are able.
Jennifer Elliott |