Discover Wellness in the Lancaster District: Freshers Neuro Early Onset Cafe

Hi, I’m Jenny and I am the Community Health Officer at Lancaster District CVS, responsible for administrating our fantastic community resource – the Digital Directory of Services – https://directory.lancastercvs.org.uk

Navigating Neurological Conditions: Support and Community in Our District

In our latest Health and Wellbeing blog we are focussing on the support that is out there for people in our district living with a neurological condition.

There are many different types of neurological condition. Some are really well known: stroke, dementia, cluster headaches, and Parkinson’s for example, but there are many that are really rare and far less well known. Some conditions begin suddenly for example following a brain injury, some such as epilepsy you are born with, and others, like multiple sclerosis, develop over time.

There are many fantastic national charities that offer information, advice & guidance for people living with these conditions including: Parkinson’s UK, The Alzheimers Society, The Stroke Association, The Brain Charity, MS Society, and Headway UK.

Closer to home we have a number of peer support groups and local charities that are doing fantastic work helping people live full and healthier lives while managing their conditions.

We recently went along to the Freshers Neuro Early Onset Café, which is held on the last Wednesday of the month at 5pm in the White Cross Pub in Lancaster.

The Café is a peer support group aimed at those of working age (but anyone is welcome) who may have had an early diagnosis of their neurological condition.

Fiona and her husband Andy set up the café about 8 years ago after Fiona was diagnosed with Parkinson’s at the age of 46. After the devasting diagnosis had sunk in Fiona realised that meeting and supporting others in a similar position to herself would be beneficial to both her and Andy as they tried to navigate their new reality.

When we arrived at the pub, the corner that had been reserved for the group was alive with chatter and good vibes, the banner in the corner made sure any new people would know where to go, and the wide smiles from all as we made our way across to the group were very reassuring and welcoming. Some people had ordered food and were tucking into delicious smelling chips while catching up on news from the past month. Others were enjoying a drink with friends going through the same things as themselves.

Our Community Health Officer, Jenny, observed “What a welcoming and supportive bunch of people. Everyone was happy to chat and share their stories and reasons for being here.”

Fiona set up the group due to the lack of any outreach at all for working age people with Parkinson’s in the North West region. She told us:

“I do find it beneficial but the main reason was to not let others suffer the pitfalls that I have been put through. My employers, DWP and the health authorities had little or no understanding of young onset Parkinsons disease. It’s been a complete nightmare and I’ve had to fight and found it all very distressing.”

If you are living with a neurological condition and are looking for support then there is support available locally.

The Bay Information Hub runs monthly, alternating between Lancaster and Morecambe on the first Friday of the month, here you will find stall holders from many of the organisations offering support for neurological conditions.

Neurodropin is a fantastic organisation that offers so much for its members including a weekly pop up café and classes and groups such as: Fitness, Yoga, Mindfulness, Tai Chi, Brazilian Dance, Singing, Writing and Art. They are currently based at Torrisholme Methodist Church and open up on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Why not pop along and find out how they could support you and your family?

You could join Headway at their amazing and beautiful allotment space on Dorrington Road in Lancaster to enjoy a spot of gardening, learning about wildlife or even cooking! They have a great indoor space where you can try cooking with the produce from the allotment.

The Stroke Association run a singing group at Brew Me Sunshine in Morecambe as well as a peer support group and can also offer local 121 support for anyone affected.

There are multiple things available for people living with dementia and their families, Dignity in Dementia are very active up in the North of our district, but there are plenty of other memory café’s, singing groups and walking groups around as well.

The MS Society is currently in the process of re-starting their local group for our area but in the mean time they are actively encouraging staff and volunteers from local community groups to attend their online MS Awareness training helping the wider community gain a better understanding of this condition.

Parkinsons UK run a thriving support group on a Friday morning in Slyne with Hest Church Hall, where they combine information sharing over a brew and a biccie with some gentle exercise for those that feel able.

You can use the directory to search for a specific condition (for example Parkinson’s or MS) or look more generally for social and wellbeing activity that everyone is welcome to enjoy.

Let’s give the final word to Fiona, from the Freshers Café;

“There is nothing good about living with Parkinson’s but with the group we support each other, we do not feel alone, and we meet others who understand exactly what you as a carer of person with Parkinson’s is going through. 

We need to raise awareness of this disease, increase funding into a cure or better medication through research , this will help others in the future as Parkinsons has become the fastest growing neurological disease.. we need to act now.”

Watch our video below of our visit …
 

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If you’d like more information on how to include your organisation on the directory, or any general queries or feedback, we’d love to hear from you.  Please contact [email protected]