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Status
Received: on time
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Income
£7.1K
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Spending
£12.0K
Public benefits
5.1.1 representing the needs of people who have had or may yet have polio and post polio syndrome or associated ailments; By means of Information Days when experts address the audience on the topics of Polio and Post Polio Syndrome/the late effects of Polio; by publicity in magazines; by radio and TV appearances and all other opportunities that
arise, the NI Polio Fellowship endeavours to publicise the needs of this group of health and social care users. In this way the health authorities, both planners and providers, are made aware of the type and range of services needed by polio survivors or those suffering from post polio syndrome or the late effects of polio. This leads to improvements in the well being of survivors/sufferers as their needs are better met and social isolation reduced. Also greater awareness by the public of the needs of these groups helps public understanding of the problems experienced and the needs of sufferers and can improve interaction and understanding. 5.1.2 assisting them to take their full integrated part in the life of the community; By means of regular social gatherings members are encouraged to take part in events such as quiz nights, barbecues, training courses, annual dinner and subsidised short hotel breaks, where there is the opportunity to meet and have social interaction with both polio survivors and non-sufferers. This contributes to improved well being, reduces social isolation and therefore a reduction in calls on the health and social services. This in turn means reduced costs to the health and social services budget. Members are encouraged to play a full part in all aspects of civil society and we have members in the legal field, higher education, technology, charity Trustees, local government etc. 5.1.3 offering help, advice, information and support (financial or otherwise) to such people resident in Northern Ireland; Committee members offer advice and support to members and non-members on the issues they raise about their condition or matters relating to the supply and fitting of orthotic and prosthetic aids. On occasion an enquiry is received from elected representatives. All enquirers are advised of where full information can be obtained and of the need to take professional medical/orthotic/prosthetic advice to ensure they make correctly informed decisions. In this way enquirers are directed to the appropriate information channel quickly and this can reduce frustration arising from the search for answers. In addition staff time is not wasted trying to source the correct avenue for many enquiries. The availability of personal experience of use in many cases can also give reassurance to the enquirer. Where there is a financial aspect to a problem presented to the Fellowship the governing committee consider each case on its merits and the availability of funds. 5.1.4 liaising with similar groups worldwide to receive and disseminate information and expertise NI Polio Fellowship is in close and regular contact with the British Polio Fellowship. We are also members of the European Polio Union from whom we get regular updates and information on work in this field. One of the recent benefits of this liaison has been the production and dissemination to local General Practitioners of a diagnostic coding list used to endorse patients’ medical records and identify the patients residual polio condition. This should lead to improved patient care and an associated reduction in health service costs by reducing the need for investigation by the health care professional. All these benefits can be demonstrated through feedback from service users, numbers of enquiries and continued ongoing relationships with other bodies. There is no harm flowing from our purposes There is no private benefit flowing from our purposes.
... [more] [less]What your organisation does
We are a group of disabled people all of whom have survived polio who come together for social interaction, help and support. Various activities are organised to assist in this purpose e.g. Quiz nights, bar-b-q's, annual dinner and where possible swimming (i.e. where an accessible pool can be hired at a reasonable cost). Short hotel breaks are
organised for a group of interested members each year when these members and their carers/friends can avail of short breaks away from home.
... [more] [less]The charity’s classifications
- The relief of those in need by reason of youth, age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage
Who the charity helps
- Carers
- General public
- Men
- Older people
- Physical disabilities
- Women
How the charity works
- Advice/advocacy/information
- Counselling/support
- Cross-border/cross-community
- Disability
- Medical/health/sickness
- Welfare/benevolent
