TOURETTE SCOTLAND BULLETIN BOARD NUMBER SIXTEEN
'THE VOICE FOR TS IN SCOTLAND’
There has been recent conjecture about Tourette Scotland, and some allegations have been made which caused concern for staff, volunteers and members. May we assure you, that your charity adheres to OSCR procedures, it is fully audited, and all staff and volunteers have appropriate training. Our services have been devised to offer support, develop information and research, and directly help those living with TS, which is why we are supported by major funding organisations. However, sometimes people write or say things that are speculative and we, as a registered charity, are legally bound to check this out so that our work for you can continue without hindrance. Facts have now been ascertained and scrutiny carried out which proved the allegations to be untrue. As ever, we work with and support anyone who has the best interests of those with Tourette syndrome at heart. We remain the Voice for Tourette syndrome in Scotland and we continue to move on positively together.
The Central TICafe: will be held on Saturday 12th May 2012, at the Family Life Centre (above the Rock Centre), Murray Place, Stirling, 10 - 12. Raffle, relaxation room, arts and crafts, quiet room, tea/coffee and biscuits, information and support. Parking nearby for £1 a day at Forthside (by Nandos) and from there the venue is accessible over the new footbridge. Stirling bus station, and train station are right opposite. Contact info@tourettescotland.org. This is a spacious, multi-roomed venue, and if you want to bring musical instruments for a strum along, please do.
The Fife Group: their next activity is on 6th May - a bag packing fundraiser in Dalgety Bay (more details from Ruth@tourettescotland.org) and on 16th May there will be their usual support group meeting on the Wednesday in the Dell Farquharson Centre, Nethertown Broad Street, Dunfermline KY12 7DS from 7pm - 9pm. There is a small car park to the left of the building, train and bus station nearby - the number 19 bus brings you to the Centre. The usual warm welcome and support. The Group have set out their programme for the year, which will be outlined in future bulletins. Note that their annual watersports event will now be held in June rather than September, funded by the Tartan Army. Contact info@tourettescotland.org
The Highland Group: hosts its regular bowling meetings in Inverness, where carers/parents can share experiences in a vibrant atmosphere but also enjoy a bit of ten pin bowling. Contact info@tourettescotland.org for dates or referral to the Group.
The West of Scotland: will be meeting in the Pearce Institute conference room, 840 - 860 Govan Road, Govan G51 3UU: 26th May from 10am - 12pm, arts and crafts, quiet area, tea/coffee and biscuits, information and support. All very welcome. Govan Cross Bus station is adjacent and trains to SPT Govan Subway Station (just across the road). There is ample parking next to the PI. Contact info@tourettescotland.org
South of Scotland TICafes: the first cafe was a success, and will be followed by a range of different venues. The next one will be in Biggar in June, date and time to be confirmed. All members welcome, tea/coffee, arts and crafts, come and meet one another, information and support. Contact info@tourettescotland.org
East of Scotland Group: have set out their programme for the year, and enjoyed a recent 'sausage sizzle' and a beach party for the children. Meetings are usually held at Stonehaven at St Bridgets Hall, Bridgefield Terrace, AB39 2JD from 1.30pm till 4.30pm. The next joint activity will be on 9th June 2012. Buses serve the area, and there is a train station nearby. Future events planned include fun activities or bowling. Contact info@tourettescotland.org for up to date confirmation of times and venues.
Tourette Scotland's 18th Birthday was held on 28th April 2012 at the Oakbank Community Centre. This was attended by 60 people, and we now know that being able to Hoola Hoop at Olympic standard is a hidden talent for some...Much fun go-karting and bowling at Noah's Ark, Perth. Thank you all for coming, and it was encouraging to see so many new members, as well as 'well kent' faces.
Thank you to our fundraisers: Laura Wylie who is running the Ignis Women's in May for 10k for Tourette Scotland. Please find her on her Justgiving link at our website: http://www.justgiving.com/Laura-Wylie20 Also, James, A WoS supporter, is planning to run the Vale of Leven 10k for us on 10th June at Loch Lomond, and we will be shortly posting his donation details on our website. A school in Glasgow, St Mungo's, is battling to win a fundraising competition to benefit our charity, thank you to Zoe and her three classmates.
ID Cards Sports - our new Green Card helps to explain anything that may otherwise be misconstrued on the playing field, and lead to disciplinary action for our sporting TS community. Contact Ruth for your card.
Whilst Tourette Scotland has a remit for Scotland, we also refer to other agencies with whom we share knowledge and information. Therefore if you are resident in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland you should contact Tourettes Action who will be able to give you information about their range of services and area support groups operating in England, Wales and NI. Their website is: http://www.tourettes-action.org.uk/ For residents of Southern Ireland, go to http://www.tsireland.ie/ where you will find out where to get support and help, and details of their support groups within the four provinces of Ireland.
Don't forget to use our Forum? http://tourettescotland.ning.com/ From this you will automatically become a member of the Forum and thus will be able to contact others who have also registered there. To further be included as a member of Tourette Scotland, please email Ruth@tourettescotland.org with your details, as quite rightly, our Forum protects your email and ID details from view and you are not automatically added to the database of the main organisation.
Tips for TS: Make the person with TS feel comfortable. Says Alan: "Ignoring the tics, pretending they don't bother you, or just not reacting to them can be great. People with TS have enhanced bursts of tics when they are stressed and if people are noticing their tics they will become more stressed out, which will increase their tics, which will make them unhappy about not controlling themselves which will stress them out further, increasing their tics yet again. It is a horrible cycle."
For information sheets on specific TS related subjects, such as Sensory Processing, GP appointments, Parents Coping techniques, Dealing with difficult situations and Understanding Coprolalia, contact info@tourettescotland.org
Are you someone who hasn't been in touch with Tourette Scotland for a long time? Do you feel that because you haven't been in contact with us lately, that you can't ask us for help when you need it? YOU CAN! We know that sometimes it can be a long time - even years - between your needing our information, advice, training or outreach support, but we will continue to keep in touch, and keep you on our database, and will be pleased to hear from you. Any question, any worry - we are the voice for Tourette syndrome in Scotland - your voice - and we are always here for you. We can be contacted anytime:
Contact us: Telephone: 01738 646742 or on our Helpline on 0300 11 11 462. Email: info@tourettescotland.org help@tourettescotland.org
Find us: www.tourettescotland.org, www.http://tourettescotland.ning.com/, or Tourette Scotland on Facebook under our Tourette Scotland Group name.
Tourette Scotland's activities are audited by accountants and by assessments from our funding bodies. All our activities adhere to the Office of Scottish Charity Regulator and we are pleased that they continue to support our work and advise us.
Want to donate? You can do so via our website (follow the Workwithus link) or by text by sending message to 70070 and then entering TOSC46, space £?? You will get a text receipt by return. Remember to add Gift Aid, either via the phone or via the internet. Thank you!