NRAS Group meetings w/c 17th March 2014

[Kim-NRAS]

Dear All

Please find details below of a very busy week of NRAS Group meetings!

NRAS Group Meetings—Week Commencing 17th March 2014

St. Helens NRAS Group

The group meets every other month in Room 8 at St Helens Town Hall, Victoria Square, St Helens WA10 1HP from 6.30pm to 8pm. Free car park at the back of the Town Hall (take first right off Birchley St) and disabled access via a lift to the left of the front steps. 

Monday 17th March - 'Research into Rheumatoid Arthritis' by Denise Graham, Clinical Research Nurse Practitioner

Southend-on-Sea NRAS Group

Thelma co-ordinates this NRAS group. Meetings take place bi-monthly at the Salvation Army Citadel (opposite

Morrisons), 146-148 London Road, Hadleigh, Essex, SS7 2PF on a Tuesday from 2:00pm to 3:30pm. 

18th March - Guest speakers from NRAS will be attending and giving an update on the work of the charity

East Dorset NRAS Group

This group meets quarterly at the Howard Room, Christchurch Hospital, Fairmile Road, Christchurch, BH23 2JX. 

Tuesday 18th March 5:00-7:00pm - Guest speaker Jamie Hewitt, Head of Government Affairs at NRAS will be giving a talk on the Personal Independence Payment

Maidstone NRAS Group

Bi-monthly meetings are held at Tremain Hall, Aylesford Village Community Centre, 25 Forstal Road, Aylesford ME20 7AU on Tuesdays from 7:00pm to 9:00pm.

18th March - Clare Jacklin, NRAS Director of External Affairs will be talking about 'NRAS and Peer to Peer Support'

Plymouth NRAS Group

Phil & Rika co-ordinate this group and call themselves PADRAGS (Plymouth & District Rheumatoid Arthritis Group Support). Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of every month from 2:00pm-4:00pm in the meeting room at

St Budeaux Library, The Square, Victoria Road, St Budeaux, Plymouth PL5 1RQ. 

18th March - Guest speaker: Charlotte Silk from Plymouth Adult User Safeguarding Executive (PAUSE)

Surrey NRAS Group

This group meets at St. Francis Church Hall, 121 Upper Chobham Road, Frimley, Surrey, GU15 1EE bi-monthly on a Tuesday from 7:00pm-9:00pm. Meetings are open to anyone living with RA, JIA and inflammatory arthritis.

18th March - The roles of Occupational and Physiotherapists with Q & A

Yeovil NRAS Group

Tina and Elaine co-ordinate this group and meet at the Holy Trinity Church and Community Centre in Lysander Road, Yeovil, BA20 2BU on the third Wednesday of every other month from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. 

19th March - Paul Mears, Chief Executive of Yeovil Hospital 'Vision for Yeovil hospital and news on the Integrated Care Programme'

Blackpool NRAS Group

Blackpool and District NRAS Group (BADRAG) meet in the cafeteria at Clifton Hospital, Pershore Road, Lytham St. Annes FY8 1PB from 7:00pm – 8:30pm on the third Thursday of alternate months, January through to November.

BADRAG is co-ordinated by NRAS members Lyn, Sue and Dave with the help of group volunteers.

20th March - Vicky Crosbie, Occupational Therapist. Pace yourself and conserve some energy! Lots of useful hints and support.

Isle of Wight NRAS Group

Bi-monthly meetings are held at Laidlaw Day Hospital, St Mary's Hospital Campus, Dodnor Lane, Newport, Isle of Wight on a Thursday from 7:00pm - 9:00pm. Information and details of future meetings please visit the Isle of Wight NRAS group website. 

20th March - Guest speaker: Sara Ellis will be talking about Healthwatch

North Durham NRAS Group

The group meets 4 times a year in Chester-le-Street, Consett, Durham & Stanley. The meetings are held on a Thursday from 7:00pm-9:00pm. There will also be a raffle and refreshments at the meetings.

20th March 2014 - 'Homeopathy’ - a talk by Dr Kate Bidwell, GP and North Durham ‘My NHS’ -  presentation by Louise Harlanderson, Durham Community Action. Meeting held at All Saints Catholic Church, Kitswell Road, Lanchester, DH7 0JH. 

Cambridge NRAS Group

2014 meetings are held at Arbury Community Centre, (corner of) Campkin Road/Arbury Road, Cambridge CB4 2LD.

21st March - 6.30 to 8.30pm - A Course in Emergency Life Support Skills by Wendy Bond, Clinical Skills Trainer, British Heart

You, your family, friends and healthcare professionals are all very welcome to attend and you don’t have to be a member of NRAS to attend a group meeting!