by Val | Jan 30, 2012 | Val's blog
Good morning all.
Had a busy weekend as Matt was 13 yesterday – gosh a tiny teenager but to think how far he has come. Big celebrations for us I can tell you.
I would just like to say what a pleasure it has been, to be have been able to do much more for CHA over the last 3 months due to the kindness of my work, RSA, allowing me to have a 3 month secondment. I really do feel I have made a difference. I know and you know I put in all kinds of hours per week anyway as I have such a passion for doing my best to help others.
Today I will start with a little recap of all that I have managed to do with the help and support of RSA. Without the secondment lots of it would not have been done especially daytime meetings.
On my first day I met with a manger of Alder Hey over ICU, HDU, K2 critical burns and 01 this definitely would not have been possible without secondment as I could not get to a daytime meeting. Since then, Ian the manager has really taken an interest in what we do and even asks his deputy Jamie to come to our monthly meetings and our relaunch, which he has been doing.
I have also worked at McHouse at Alder Hey, cleaned bedrooms, done ironing, help prepare a Christmas dinner for families staying there too and generally help out.
Myself and Lisa hosted a Charity Ball
We took families to Euro Disney
I have updated with fresh info and pics notice boards at both Alder Hey and new Manchester Children’s Hospital and Ronald McDonald House. I have had branch meetings in Liverpool and attended meetings in Manchester too. I organised a Christmas Party at Alder Hey. I organised a Christmas Grotto in Whiston (already been invited back to do again this yr) and I have done a charity shop .
I did Hook-a-Duck in Jewish school locally at their Chanukah fair (also been invited back when they do this year’s fundraiser in summer and Christmas). I have done prize bingo. I have done monthly branch meetings supporting families who come.
We got in The local press (a parent put a Thank You in Echo for Disney trip). We got in the Jewish Telegraph for attending Chanukah fair. We have done relaunches at both hospitals (providing an awareness, who we are, where we are).
I have made up info packs for families and left at Alder Hey so even when I am not around they can be given to parents. We have done trips to Manchester Science Museum, roller skating and more planned. We have done Taking CHA Forward meetings. I have sorted out theatre tickets with credit we have had for a year and a half due to not being able to use during the past 18 months and finding time to sort. Been around the hospital and met staff and some parents.
So onto 2012 and here is what I have already organised before I return to work:
- Pancake party at Alder Hey in Feb.
- 5 weeks at the charity shops.
- Dinner dance in May venue sorted awaiting final arrangements.
- Ball of Hearts Nov 2012 all sorted here. Contracts signed and deposit paid.
- Christmas Party and entertainment for Alder Hey (that’s something being that organised).
- I have arranged another Taking CHA Forward for April.
- I have also managed to secure Barclays to take us on again in 2012. I have been told I will be allocated a team. I will be having a meeting with them tomorrow so update you on that when I know more.
- Received £500 donation from RSA as although I am not in the office my friends know what I am doing and put CHA forward for an award, how good is that.
- Today I received an email confirming I have been successful with my application for 60 tickets to Alton towers so a great day out we will have with them.
- Well now I am off to McHouse for today and tomorrow. I am at meeting with Barclays in morning and I will be around Alder Hey in the afternoon.
I am sure you will agree that’s quite a lot done and planned. I do hope to be able to build on this in the future with the support of RSA – back to work on Wed. It’s been a pleasure.
See you all soon
Val Frew
A very proud volunteer of CHA x
by Val | Jan 22, 2012 | Val's blog
Hi Everyone,
Week 13, how time has flown by.
This week…
Monday 23rd January 2012
Morning, I need to drop stuff off at storage unit as my car is packed. Only a few weeks away till our 1st charity shop this year. Afternoon, I have meetings at 3 hotels in Manchester, checking possible place for our dinner dance this year in May.
I have sorted Ball out for this year, it will be Hilton Hotel, Liverpool on 17th NOV – I have signed contracts so all in order there.
Tuesday 24th January 2012
Morning, I will drop off cheque deposit. Afternoon, I want to finish notice boards on K2. I have already started them but want them finished and looking good. I have also managed to take over another unused notice board. Staff on K2 said it’s fine so until I am told to take it down we might as well use it. Saves looking at a blank space. I also want to get some up-to-date pics and info ready for change over in clinic area. I am also waiting for a new notice board to go up as we have to give one back that hospital now need to use, but that’s not a problem. Nice to keep info fresh.
Wednesday 25th January 2012
Working in McHouse and I would like to update notice board there too time permitting.
Thursday 26th January 2012
Morning, in McHouse. Evening, Exec meeting in Manchester.
Friday 27th January 2012
Day off.
Saturday 28th January 2012
Taking CHA Forward meeting in Liverpool.
Sunday 29th January 2012
Day off.
I see Cecilia from CHF has been following my blog which is great and I went to a venue to check out possible for our our ball and dinner dance. Lady we met informed me she had been checking our website to see a bit more about us and read my blog in full.
If anyone needs me to do anything just let me know.
See you all soon,
Val Frew
A very proud volunteer of CHA
by Val | Jan 15, 2012 | Val's blog
Hi Everyone,
Hope you enjoyed the weekend.
Next week’s plans….
Monday 16th January 2012
Morning – I have to go get a large amount of books, 300 to be collected and I need to do some recycling. Also I need to go and collect prizes for prize bingo.
Evening – prize bingo and I have had to sort out new venue for now as McHouse having a refit, so it will be in Whiston.
Tuesday 17th January 2012
On ward K2 with Lorna, Alder Hey.
Wednesday 18th January 2012
In morning I need to go to storage and get Hook a Duck stall for 01 clinic. All afternoon, meeting families and after that we are taking families from CHA for a meal at Frankie and Benny’s, a social event.
Thursday 19th January 2012
On ward K2 with Lorna, Alder Hey.
Friday 20th January 2012
Day off
Saturday 21st January 2012
Morning, we have a Trustee meeting
Sunday 22nd January 2012
Day off
—-
Alder Hey have been delighted I have been around to attending meetings. My presence at the meeting helps give a family insight and view and, when they need family input, I am in a position to get info from families of CHA and share with management. Ian’s assistant Jamie also attended our branch meeting last week, which was good.
See you all soon.
Val Frew
A very proud volunteer of CHA
by Val | Jan 8, 2012 | Val's blog
Hi Everyone,
Here is next week’s secondment plans. Busy week ahead.
Monday 9th January 2012
Morning: going to view Hilton Hotel, Liverpool as a possible venue for Ball / Dinner Dance.
Afternoon: I will be at a meeting in Manchester Children’s for a North West Children’s congenital heart network. This is a new meeting I have been asked to join by Alder Hey’s cardiac general manager.
Tuesday 10th January 2012
Day off
Wednesday 11th January 2012
Day off – Matthew’s op
Thursday 12th January 2012
Hope this will be a day I can start being a ward buddy with Lorna. My application has been approved.
Friday 13th January 2012
Going to view venues for Ball / Dinner Dance. Aintree race course, Town Hall Liverpool, Crowne Plaza Liverpool, Catholic Cathedral Liverpool.
Saturday 14th January 2012
Book sale in Ormskirk market, fundraising plus we are seen in the community.
Sunday 15th January 2012
Roller skating in Stockport – family day out.
Again fabulous that I have this secondment or I would not be able to get all this done and in order.
See you all soon.
Val Frew
A very proud volunteer of CHA
by Val | Jan 1, 2012 | Val's blog
Hi Everyone,
Hope you had a lovely Christmas and New Year. Well now we are in the last few weeks of my secondment. This week’s plan is:
Monday 2nd January 2012
Bank Holiday.
Tuesday 3rd January 2012
Today I will have to go for blood test first as this is part of the CRB check now.
- My CRB form I will hand in at Alder Hey today. (Anne, Gill Mc is seeing if she can get extra 2 (1 for you and 1 for Michele C).
- I need to make some phone calls to check out venues for Dinner Dance in May and Ball in Nov.
- I need to check menus from emails I already have for some venues. Hopefully by tomorrow I will have more to look at too.
- I need to do follow up letters to people who still owe money for Auction items from our Ball.
- I need to check availability for market stall for some book sales in 2012.
Wednesday 4th January 2012
Few hrs Mchouse and few hours at Alder Hey
Thursday 5th January 2012
I am working at Mchouse and in the evening it is my Liverpool branch meeting.
Friday 6th January 2012
I have an appointment at Empire Theatre Liverpool to check what we can use our credit on in 2012 if you remember back when I booked Chitty Chitty Bang Bang I was not happy with seating and we still have a £200 credit. Last year we could not use as every time I tried they kept saying we couldn’t use against shows I was looking at.
I will be looking into where we can do a first aid course and hoping to sort that out soon.
I want to find out more about auction houses. I have a few things in storage that may or may not be worth a bit more than we would get in charity shop. Worth looking into.
See some of you this week and some of you next week,
Val Frew
A very proud volunteer of CHA
by Val | Dec 25, 2011 | Val's blog
Got photos online showing what I’ve been up to…. here.
This week at Alder Hey I met 2 families so was able to briefly talk to them. 1 family raised some funds for us but does not want to join just yet but know where we are and I gave her my tele number in case she wants a chat.
Gill has commented on how good it is having me around so glad it is working.
Next week plans:
Mon – Bank hols
Tue – Bank hols
Wed – Mchouse
I have left Thurs and Fri open can I do anything for anyone? Do you need me to be anywhere? If not I will go to Alder Hey and just be around to meet families.
Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year.
Val Frew
A very proud volunteer of CHA
