clarification

[-fingerscrossed]

It would be nice if Jenny Woods gave us some information about the dramatic changes taking place, regarding BLF and breatheasy's what are the facts, I have heard several "rumours"

[appyalison]

hi fingerscrossed, what are the rumours? I am entirely ignorant. Alison

[butter-fly]

Haven't heard any rumours fingerscrossed. Love to know what's been going around. It could affect quite a lot of us if changes are made. Saying that, I suppose some things have to change now and then. Sara

[Toci]

I have heard no rumours either. Who is Jenny Woods?

[JohnThomas]

It's Dr. Penny Woods

[MarkPilling]

Hi

I think you need to tell us about the "dramatic changes" you have heard about. There was some discussion about the changes that took place last year on other posts which I'm sure you will find using the search facility. But certainly if you have any specific questions please ask and I'll do my best to answer.

Thanks

Mark

[-fingerscrossed]

Thanks Mark,

basically is it true several regional offices have been closed and that the main blf London office is being considered as a further possible closure

Have staff numbers been reduced and lost their jobs

Furthermore on this forum it appears that a lot of breathe easy groups have been alienated by a lack of communication and support I thought it was a Jenny woods but it seems it is Penny Woods who is spearheading the BLF organsation involvement in U.K charities for COPD patients care and support

Are staff numbers and offices reduced now and to what extent in particular ?

I am passionate on this subject, sometimes can be criticised as confrontational or controversially argumentative but I and we all want the best outcome against the recent government legislation health and welfare bill

[MarkPilling in reply to -fingerscrossed]

Hello

The regional offices in England were closed last summer. Over the summer around 25% of staff roles were made redundant.

There are no further changes planned - I'm not sure where you have heard that the London office is planned for closure - your sources are incorrect.

The changes have affected everyone connected with the BLF - staff and Breathe Easy members included. However our services and support to people with a lung disease, our campaign work etc has not been affected - indeed the changes last summer were made to ensure the BLF could keep doing what it does.

I appreciate that some BE groups may feel alienated by the changes - we have been working hard to since last summer to support groups - it has never been our intention to make groups feel that way. Nobody wanted to see the changes made but sadly those changes were essential to ensure the BLF could continue.

Things are slowly improving - it was never going to be easy and things were never going to get better overnight. We all need to work together - if groups are unhappy, and haven't already done so, they should make their concerns heard by contacting me on 0300 3030 253. Penny has spoken to several groups and any groups that had concerns felt more reasssured - but also may groups have been accepting of the changes and understand the reasons - and importantly want to continue working with the BLF. Unfortunately some groups (a minority) are not happy with the changes

This isn't a "them and us" situation - we all want to achieve the same things - we just have to be a bit more flexible, creative and positive.

Give me a call and we can have a chat.

Thanks

Mark

[helingmic]

-fingerscrossed, what are these rumours regarding BLF? You give me some anxious moment? what's happened?

[helingmic in reply to helingmic]

NO idea about all this. don't know Penny Woods. I do know the government reduces charity funding in general and several are really in danger of not being able to operate. is it the case for BLF?

[Hidden in reply to helingmic]

Always ignore rumours and aim to unveil the truth, it reveals much about the actual situation and those who spread the rumours! See below comments helingmic.

[-fingerscrossed]

Thanks Mark, regarding

There are no further changes planned - I'm not sure where you have heard that the London office is planned for closure - your sources are incorrect.

Quote from Mark_BLFHelpline British Lung Foundation

We will be closing the regional offices in Newcastle, Leicester and Bristol, and one of our two London offices, when the current leases run out over the coming months and years.

healthunlocked.com/blf/post....

The source is in this thread Mark, are you suggesting this source is incorrect, I am a bit confused

apologies if I have misunderstood

[Hidden in reply to -fingerscrossed]

this is historical - your linking to a post over 8 months old, its an old discussion, and as you have bothered to quote Marks words, maybe you should read them again.

Your comment suggests 'the London office is closing' (in the present)

Mark's original comment of 8 months ago states "one of our two London offices"

I suspect the rumours you have heard have been from those persons misguided by another who misrepresents what was originally said, as you seem to have been.

[-fingerscrossed in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your lecture on my ignorance, but as a wise man, you must understand that I was inquiring about possibilities of future closures, perhaps you could enlighten me without arguing with me over semantics. I would rather have a conversation with Mark, as I will be doing presently by telephone.

It so wrong to complain about my use of historical post or discussion rather than demonstrating my ignorance as a matter of what may be discussed by myself or others, merely displays to others questionable attributes as everything post once it has been posted becomes an item of "historical" origin

[Hidden in reply to -fingerscrossed]

your statements were inferring a misrepresentation of words, this I find questionable.

[MarkPilling in reply to -fingerscrossed]

I'm available to take your call on Thursday - just call me on 03000 030 555. Perhaps send me a message with you name so I know to tell the team to expect a call from you.

Thanks

[MarkPilling in reply to -fingerscrossed]

-Fingerscrossed

I really am not sure what point you are trying to make here. Have you sincerely misread the posts and not realised you are reading a post from last summer. Or are you deliberately trying to cause bother.

Just in case - I will say again - the regional offices in England were closed in the summer of 2013. That now leaves the offices in London, Wales, Scotland and Liverpool. No more offices are being closed. No more changes are being made in 2014.

Mark Pilling 18th Feb 2014

[Puffthemagicdragon]

In Fingerscrossed post it says. " I was inquiring about possibilities of future closures ". A simple question requiring a simple answer.

I don't see what the problem is. Why all the aggro ?

[Hidden in reply to Puffthemagicdragon]

Well I don't know where you read that, was that after the cross questioning of Mark or before? Oh yeh after ................... got me pink tints back on Puff

oh life is so wonderful looking through the pink tints

[jcsy in reply to Hidden]

what's happened to having a bit of respect for others, they are entitled to have a point of view are they not ?

healthunlocked.com/blf/post...

same concerns here

[Puffthemagicdragon in reply to Hidden]

What do you find funny ?

[Hidden in reply to Puffthemagicdragon]

when I see a monkey in a pink frock mostly got pink tints back on now so all will be rosey

[Puffthemagicdragon in reply to Hidden]

I have no idea what your post means. I know nothing about monkeys in pink frocks.

[jcsy]

I was wondering the same myself puff, some of the responses to the question do seem in-polite to say the least