Poster
'Rainbow of Hope' A culturally diverse support group for PWMS in Birmingham and Sandwell
Sally Thompson, Multiple Sclerosis Nurse Specialist; Dawn Brookfield, Multiple Sclerosis Support Nurse (Innovex), Multiple Sclerosis Nursing Service, Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust.
This poster describes the process of setting up a support group (project) in Birmingham for people with multiple sclerosis in the black and ethnic community. The majority population in the central area of Birmingham is 70% from black and ethnic groups (Source; H.O.B. teaching PCT). This forms the catchment area for the Acute Trust in which the Multiple Sclerosis Nursing Service is based.
We were approached by our client group, in 2006, asking if they could meet people from similar backgrounds as the information available to them was generally geared towards white/traditional backgrounds. They wanted an informal group setting in which to meet and exchange ideas and gain support. The eventual intention was for the group to become self managing with support as required from the multiple sclerosis nurses and other external sources.
After consultation and letters sent out by the multiple sclerosis nurses, a support group was set up to meet monthly at an agreed location. Funding and expenses were covered originally by the B.M.E Outreach Project (Birmingham) sponsored by the Parkinson's society with funds available for support of BME individuals with all neurological conditions. The Multiple Sclerosis Society also provided funds and support at a later date.
After a challenging beginning due to the nature of the illness affecting the elected chairpersons the group has experienced a fluctuating level of attendance. So we have decided to re-launch the group this September with guest speakers at a weekend event to maximise the attendance and publicize the group to a wider audience. The Multiple Sclerosis Society have agreed to fund a venue and financial backing for the group for at least the next 12 months, until they become self managing.
We will use photographs, flyers and letters used to illustrate the process involved in setting up this project.