Family matters - Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland

COMMUNITY SERVICESStrokeexperience isinspirationalAN artwork project by a group ofEdinburgh stroke survivorsreached the finals of a prestigiousawards event.The art exhibition was theoutcome of a two-year projectpart funded by CHSS in whichartists attending the EdinburghCommunity Stroke Service atFirrhill Centre were encouragedto produce work which expressedand communicated the impact thathaving a stroke had on their lives.Each piece of art wasaccompanied by a description ofthe stroke journey which led to itscreation. As one of the exhibitorsexplained: “The art class hasprovided me with an outlet forsome nebulous ideas that wouldotherwise have goneunexpressed.”NHS and the City of EdinburghCouncil also supported the projectand the work was put on show atthe Edinburgh Filmhouse.The project reached the finalstages of the APSE (Association forPublic Service Excellence) Awardsin the ‘public/voluntary partnershipworking’ category.Anne Hannah, one of the artistsinvolved in the group project.The meals on the busSCOTLAND’S first Cooking Bus – a colourful kitchen on wheels designedto teach cooking and healthy eating skills to community groups – made itsway to Musselburgh where the local VSS group climbed on board for a greatday. Group members Susan Thompson, Alan Rutherford, David Hunt andvolunteer Jane Wilson are pictured here with local coordinator June Forsonmaking herby cheese scones and rainbow couscous. Alan used to cook butlost interest after having a stroke. He found the visit to the bus rekindled hisenthusiasm and he is now enjoying developing his skills in the kitchen.Have you heard the chat?CHSS Community Services havelaunched a ‘virtual stroke group’which can be accessed directly or viathe link on our website.The aim is to provide an onlineopportunity for individuals tosupport each other; chatting aboutchallenges they have faced sincehaving their stroke, and how theyovercame them.The pilot siteincluded 10 definedsections relating to livingwith a stroke e.g.holidays, publictransport, etc. Inresponse to feedbackfrom service users, the categorieswere reduced and the site waslaunched last summer.We now have more than 130registered users with new postsfrom members most days.Moderating the site has involveda steep learning curve. The mainpurpose in moderating is to helpmembers feel comfortable inthe ‘virtual group’ environment:• Ensuring that the site is not usedinappropriately by organisationscontacting members to furthertheir own agenda; sales,research, etc.• Removing any offensive posts orinappropriate comments.In these early stageswe have also beensignposting individuals tosources of advice orinformation, although it isanticipated that in timeother group memberswill provide the linkswithout moderator intervention.Now that it is established andflourishing we are working onattracting new members to addstrength and diversity. If you know ofanyone who may benefit fromjoining this online forum please letthem have the website details. Logon to www.chss.org.uk/forums6