“What are the Key Things that should be Available when someone first has a Brain Injury?”

Member Responses to the Question: “What are the Key Things that should be Available when someone first has a Brain Injury?”

When the group was invited to jot down their individual answers on a Post-It slip, these were mounted on the wall screen later in the meeting and read out. An analysis of the 12 answers returned showed that there were

8 answers – asking (in one form or another) for more info to be available on the common effects of a brain injury, and follow-up contacts for further services and/or support organisations;

2 answers – requesting physiotherapy only;

2 answers – requesting a range of improved local care services and help.

Notes from Meeting of May 30th 2008

Introductions

Helen, as Chairperson, started off the meeting with a very brief summary of the items to be discussed in the group; then the group was asked to go around the table and remind members of their names/introduce themselves, and also to mention very briefly the date and circumstance of their brain injury.

There were 11 (brain injured and/or carer) individuals present along with 3 ‘professional’ attendees.

Constitution Development

Alan, who had been involved in a sub-group with Lorraine, Neill, Simon and Sam Coyne, spoke to this item; he started by reminding the meeting as to the reasons for having a constitution:

· Purpose is to put our BrainIAC group on an official basis, compared with the ad-hoc basis we have been operating so far;

· Developing one is a good exercise – we need to think clearly as to what our group is for, what are we trying to do – expressed in our aims & objectives; how will we operate, and be organised;

· The expectation of being able to influence NHS and other service-providers will be much improved by our being a properly established and recognised group;

· A condition of being able to attract funding (so, e.g. we could really do with some independence from other brain injury groups that currently support us - then we could afford to pay for meeting rooms in future, and not have to depend on Headway’s and Momentum’s charity) from granting bodies is that applicant groups must have a constitution and perhaps also be a registered Charity, etc.

He reported that Lorraine, Neill, Simon, Sam Coyne and he had met several times, and had developed the 2^nd draft constitution document (as at May 2008) which was tabled at the meeting; the BrainIAC group has to consider the current draft and make appropriate modifications to it so that our group as a whole can very soon agree to adopt it. To achieve this, group members should take away the draft to read/study, and come back to the next meeting with their proposals for modifications.

There was a short period of discussion on a few individual draft constitution clauses, and a few at the meeting made some useful points concerning their reservations/problems with them; in terms of progressing the whole matter, it was later decided that modifications proposed by those present should be brought to the next meeting where they would be considered. Helen will write to members not present, enclosing the tabled draft constitution, saying what is planned for the process, and inviting them to attend the very important meeting where final agreed modifications to the constitution would be incorporated. It was decided that this next meeting would be at 1pm on Fri 27^th June 2008 in the Renfield Centre.

Funding

Helen stressed that the issue of funding was becoming more pressing as there had been various costs (e.g. photocopying) associated with some BrainIAC events she had attended recently. She felt that the group had to get a bank account opened and operating as soon as possible; also, to do this we would need to elect Office-bearers – this to be done as soon as possible.

Sam Coyne pointed out that the constitution should really be agreed and adopted by the group first, as this would define the powers and responsibilities of the various Office-bearers who could then be properly elected. To open an account for a voluntary group like ourselves, banks may be looking for the group’s constitution.

It was agreed that the matter of the constitution will be sorted out first.

Helen reported to the group that she had received a £50 cheque donation to the group from a donor who wished to remain anonymous.

Other business

Helen reported on

· the events she had attended in the last few weeks – the Ability Festival on Friday 16^th May , an all-day event at the Raddison SAS Hotel, Argyle Street; a BrainIAC Street Stall on Saturday 24^th May 10-2pm at The Donald Dewar Statue, Buchanan Street

· the future event planned at the Scottish Parliament

· the BrainIAC Street Stall which will be set up outside Hillhead Library in Byres Road on Sat 7^th June; it would need to be ‘manned’ from 10am – 2pm , and any help with this would be appreciated. Alan said he would come along to do whatever is needed.

There being no other matters to be discussed, the meeting closed at 2.45pm.

Date of Next Meeting: Agreed as Fri 27^th June at 1pm in Renfield Centre.