LAMS - TOGETHER WE MADE IT HAPPEN
In January 2011 LAMS celebrated its 6th birthday - and what a long way we have come since the idea of a North Norfolk day centre for people with MS was first suggested.
LAMS (Life & Multiple Sclerosis) Day Centre is a focal activity of the North Norfolk Branch of the MS Society - providing a really welcoming environment for people with MS in our area. Our aim is to give members the opportunity to meet together and and decide what they would like to do - we are very democratic! We've done some pretty adventurous things together and with the help of our wonderful volunteers have really been able to get out and participate in life! We also wanted to give Carers a regular break, which we know is appreciated, particularly when transport is included in the day's package whenever possible.The idea of setting up a "user led" centre (i.e. run by its members) was conceived seven years ago - as a partnership between the MS Society and Social Services. There has also been practical input from the local PCT and Crossroads Carers, all of which resulted in us winning a Partnership Award from the MS Society in 2006, of which we are very proud!
We meet once a week and provide transport, wherever possible, for our members as well as employing two Crossroads Carers to take care of members' personal needs, should that be necessary.
We are fortunate to receive funding from Social Services for our Care costs, and our members are becoming expert at doing their own fundraising - all part of the feeling of ownership of LAMS. Our Steering Committee comprises mainly of people with MS or Carers and has proved that people with MS can 'do it for themselves'.
We network closely with the local healthcare professionals, and our Neurological Support Nurse calls in regularly. This works really well for both them and us, as relationships are built up and contacts made. Members feel able to ask informally for advice, as well as to support each other in times of need. Our close working relationship with the Social Services Development Officer means that members also have links into the area of social care, should they need it.
General welfare advice, as well as the full array of MS Society literature, is always available to members.
Regular activities at LAMS include exercise sessions, massage, beauty treatments, art and crafts, quizzes, Scrabble and other games as well as the chance just to sit and chat or read the newspapers in friendly company and with plenty of tea, coffee and fruit juice.
We also have special events, such as a summer barbecue and boat trips on the Norfolk Broads and we run a mini bus regularly from our centre to the local swimming pool and gym, which several members take advantage of and really enjoy.
So, if you live in North Norfolk and would like to come along and meet us, than please contact Jeannette on 01263 579453 and she will give you more information.
Or if you are another Branch considering setting up a similar centre and want to pick our brains - please feel welcome to do so! When we started up we had no idea that we would prove to be so successful - up to 30 members attending each week, with more on our books. There really is a need for centres such as ours where members know that they decide what they want to do - and together we work out ways to make it happen.
