Bolton and Bury Local Association
Bolton and Bury ASBAH must be one of the few local associations to stretch across two counties - Bolton being in Lancashire and Bury being a part of Greater Manchester.
Not that minor details like that worry Geoff Madeley, who stepped into the chair last May having been treasurer since 1995. Geoff - along with the rest of his dedicated committee - is more concerned with spreading the ASBAH word across the area.
“Our biggest problem is simply getting our name and telephone number known,” he explains. “There are a lot of hospitals out there and if they don't even have our telephone number how will people contact us?”
Earlier this year the association team sent out around 120 laminated flyers to doctors' surgeries to generate more publicity, and future plans include a website to provide another point of contact.
Geoff and his wife Jackie became involved the Bolton & Bury (B&B) Association 18 years ago following the birth of their daughter Ruth, who has spina bifida and scoliosis. “We received a lot of information and support from ASBAH,” Geoff recalls, “so we became involved with the association to put something back, as well as to get to know other families in the area.”
B&B was set up more than 30 years ago and operates mainly as a self-help group for the 46 families who are members. “We found out some time ago that it's almost impossible to arrange get togethers for everyone. It's difficult enough to find times that suit all members of the management committee, never mind everyone else,” Geoff says.
So instead of regular meetings the association provides information and telephone support, as well as arranging the occasional social gathering. The most recent was an alternative therapies day at Bolton's Jarvis Hotel, where guests could learn more about homeopathy, aromatherapy, reflexology and other treatments, as well as enjoying a buffet lunch.
Thanks to a legacy B&B also has sufficient finances to award grants for hospital stays, driving lessons and to pay for cars to be adapted. The money was bequeathed in the will of a William Rogers.
“It was obviously a wonderful surprise,” Geoff says. “We don't know anything about our benefactor, apart from his name and that his estate was divided between three charities. We use some of the money to award grants and keep the remaining sum in a trust fund. Thankfully it has taken the pressure off us financially and we won't have to worry about fundraising for some time.”
Many of ASBAH's local associations are still run by the original founders because new volunteers don't often come forward. But the B&B committee mainly represents a new generation of support. It is made up of deputy chair Siobhan Corr; secretary David Clyne, who also sits on ASBAH's services & marketing committee; David's daughter Joanna, who has spina bifida, as does fellow committee member Martyn Gardiner; and Cath Greenlagh, Geoff's predecessor.
The committee benefits from the help and support of Joan Pheasant and her team at the ASBAH North office in Leeds. “We've got a close working relationship with the office, especially with Marcia Conroy, the area adviser. But one of our main problems is a shortage of committee members and people to help with general duties. Everyone is obviously very busy with work and family commitments, but being involved with the local association is very rewarding and there's a great deal of job satisfaction. I can and do recommend it,” Geoff says.
Indeed the lates08.11.05an appeal for help with general admin and press officer duties, plus someone willing to edit ASBAH Arrow itself.
The committee has also sent out a questionnaire to the 46 participating families, to make sure that they are continuing to provide the services that members need. “We last surveyed our members three years ago and have based our work on what they suggested. After all, there's no point in putting time and effort in if we aren't listening to the people we serve,” he points out.
With Geoff and his committee's dedication and concern it seems that the Bolton and Bury Association is right on track for another successful year.
Chair, Geoff Madeley