Fibro Active Diaries - February
By Julie Barker, Chairperson
Each month I’m highlighting what’s been happening at Fibro Active and hopefully it will inspire groups to add things into their programme. This month’s theme is looking at Irlen Syndrome and looking at general options for coping. We will start by just recapping the last event of January.
Deyin Tai Chi Institute’s Chinese New Year Festival
We completed the very end of January with the Deyin Institute Chinese New Year Festival, where Fibro Active featured third in the programme. We were honoured to be asked to record a 30-minute presentation about Fibromyalgia and the group’s work. We decided to record a shortened version of the Traditional Eight Brocades Qigong, so we could encourage and guide all those who were linking globally via Zoom to join us. You can view it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXLemZIKPsQ&list=PLcDnLPqhoUb2sfk06CF35G2bUwNfB8ocN&index=4
February 1st was Chinese New Year and my mum’s birthday, so at group we started off by learning the 2nd move of the Qigong form, Ma Wang Dui and had an extended break to celebrate with cake and fortune cookies.
Alan Penn Irlen Talk
I handed out an Irlen Syndrome questionnaire around the room in preparation for Alan Penn’s talk; Alan is the UK Specialist. The room was silent, and I was confused because I thought they would be all talking and celebrating mum’s birthday, but they were all concentrating on filling in the form! Mum sat there a little bored as she didn’t need to fill one in.
Alan gave us a comprehensive talk about what is Irlen Syndrome, this was very informative but a little too long for our guys. However, since the visit, we have had 2 members assessed and they have been prescribed tinted lenses. They are waiting for their glasses to return from the lab in America and they can’t wait to feel the benefits. We have featured Irlen Syndrome in a previous article, for those of you who missed it, you can find out more and complete a free self-assessment at www.alanpenn.co.uk or if you are international go to www.irlen.com.
CO-OP Funding Networking
Friday 4th 6pm, we joined Zoom to meet both our CO-OP pioneer and shop managers along with other groups in the CO-OP Community Scheme. The scheme is a yearlong partnership where funding is gained through CO-OP members purchasing own brand goods. We were able to introduce what we did as a group and find out more about what we are able to do with the local branches. The next day I wrote an email with an event proposal to ask if they could support our Walking to Awareness Campaign.
Dr Lam Instructor Forum
On the first Sunday of each month, Jane and I join instructors from 14 other countries through Dr Lam’s Tai Chi Instructor Forum. Usually, there is a presentation on a chosen topic, followed by a question-and-answer session, then we are randomly split into breakout rooms where we meet other instructors, I find this the best bit, we are able to take away the knowledge gained to add to our own classes.
Change to group programme
Our second Tuesday group session of the month was supposed to be Marie from Inspiritive Arts. Sadly, it was not entered into her diary, so we had an impromptu chat about the Walking to Awareness Campaign, followed by our first game of Boccia since before lockdown. Everyone’s competitive side resurfaced and it was much enjoyed. Boccia is a form of bowls that was created for Cerebral Palsy Sport, it is totally inclusive.
Meal out with the Derby squad
Tary Yip our Master Trainer at the Deyin Tai Chi Institute was coming to Derby for the weekend to re-validate instructors in the midlands; on Saturday night we were invited to a meal along with 13 others at a Chinese Restaurant. It was the first time we had been out since before lockdown, we were a little anxious but the night was brilliant. The food was delicious and the service was great. It was a good chance to socialise with other instructors and as it was Ben’s Birthday on the following day we had cake!
Group meeting week three
Our third group session started with our Small Steps to Health class. This is a combination of Otago strength and balance exercises. Our members find this class much harder than tai chi and qigong. After a tea break, we were joined by Hannah Morton who is an Engagement Specialist for the NHS Derby and Derbyshire Clinical Commissioning Group. She was identifying the differences between the services and explaining specifically what Urgent Treatment Centres are. Hannah went away laden with feedback as we put the world to rights about our experiences.
Committee meeting
Every third Friday of the month we have a committee meeting. February is the first meeting of the year after the AGM in January. We chose to meet via Zoom. This was lucky as there was a storm forecasted. Our main focus was the Walking to Awareness Campaign and training.
Walking to Awareness
The Walking to Awareness Campaign starts on March 30th. We have already updated the website page, started the Just Giving page and linked it along with the Facebook page. https://fibroactive.co.uk/fibro-5/fibro-5-challenge/
As well as the walking and fundraising target we have asked the CO-OP branch closest to our group meeting hall, to help support us with an open morning on May 10th; I have put together an itinerary leading up to the event and for the day, to help recruit volunteers and make sure everyone is aware of what needs to be done to make it happen.
Training
We have two members who would like to train as Dr Lam Tai Chi instructors and two members have been booked onto free social media training at the volunteer centre and all committee members are wanting to attend a ‘Walking Awareness’ course.
Post meeting tasks
I went away from the meeting and spent the weekend writing the March newsletter and putting together advertising promo for the different events, this was published on Facebook as well as in our group’s newsletter. I drew up a letter for our volunteer, Opkar to take round local businesses asking for prizes for our raffle and tombola, I also asked members if they have any unwanted presents, they would like to part with. I have put the poster of us asking for raffle prizes on to our WhatsApp groups and surprisingly, my Master Trainer has offered a Kung Fu Fan, for which I am very grateful - I put the post on his page by accident too! Fate has some mysterious outcomes.
Sue from open Minds
Sue rounded off our February programme with one of her popular workshops. The theme was coping skills and options. She started with an explanation of triggers and a breakdown of some of their causes, leading to a list to which we could add coping activities, whether it be for immediate or long-term support.
Weekly Gentle Walks
Our weekly walks have fluctuated in numbers mainly due to the weather and members having prior commitments. I am looking after one of my mum’s dogs at the moment as he is recovering from a back injury. I have bought a pet pram and have been able to bring Sam to the walks.
Falls Prevention Programme
Our weekly classes are going steady. We have had 4-6 enquiries to start classes and we have had 2 new starters.
Our Small Steps to Health class is gradually increasing the levels of intensity; we have had some great results. Carol has been able to walk the canal path from Sandiacre to Long Eaton, about 2 ½ miles. She hasn’t been able to do that for over 2 years. Iris has travelled 86 times round the sun and she has had 1-2-1 help in class. Her confidence and strength have grown and she can now do 90% of the class by herself.
Award invitation
I received an email inviting the group to register our interest in entering the Royal Society of Public Health, Health and Wellbeing Awards, so I’m frantically writing this article so that I can fill in the application form over this weekend. This is another long-term process; the deadline is April but we won’t know if we’ve been successful until October. I will put together a first draft and send it to our other committee members for a first proof read next week and then all of us will have time to look through.
Saturday Tai Chi Practice Session
We meet every last Saturday of the month to consolidate and practice the tai chi forms we teach during the month. In winter months, we gather at the hall and summer months we do ‘Tai Chi in the Park’. We allow time for a cuppa and chat to make it more of a social event.
It’s been another diverse and interesting month. Although we have cut back on a lot of our delivery, we still have lots of things to work towards and look forward to. I’m especially looking forward to members benefiting from the Irlen lenses as I personally have benefited. I’m looking forward to sharing what has happened in March, in the next edition.