Maureen Mellor of Widnes explains how Neurosupport Centre changed her life

Apr 14 2011 Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

ALICIA BEESLEY talks to Maureen Mellor, whose visits to a centre run by charity Neurosupport helped her recover from a brain haemorrhage

IN 2003 Maureen Mellor of Widnes suffered a brain haemorrhage that left her in hospital for eight weeks.

Maureen doesn’t remember much of that time, but she said her own personal journey began when she left hospital.

She said: “I had to re learn how to do a lot of things.

“Nobody told me about any support that was available to me.

“I found out through a talk held at the Walton Centre about Neurosupport’s Working Life Service. It was certainly not something I was otherwise made aware of.”

Neurosupport is a registered charity based in Liverpool, providing a vital support service for people diagnosed with, or affected by, a neurological condition.

It provides support for patients across the Halton area.

It acts as a non-medical starting point, reaching out to those who need help and encouragement as they settle back into the community.

Support is also offered to their families and friends, who often have to adjust too.

The Neurosupport Centre is a welcoming and comforting place. The staff are passionate and enthusiastic about the work they do, and are brimming with success stories about people whose lives they have helped to turn around.

Although the centre often faces funding difficulties, the staff say they are driven by the bravery and determination of the many people who visit them for support. Without the centre, many would not enjoy the quality of life that they have today.

Maureen said: “I was nervous about going to Neurosupport, but before I even set foot into the building, Gerry, a staff member, came to my home to assess my needs. This really helped and gave me the peace of mind that I needed.

“The centre itself is extremely welcoming and the staff are very friendly and approachable.”

For people with a neurological condition, coping with daily life is a challenge.

Neurosupport can provide help with issues such as employment, offering advice on a range of issues and runs a variety of short courses designed to restore confidence and improve quality of life.

Maureen said: “I was off work for two years and diagnosed with post-traumatic stress.

“I was a manager previously and had a lot of responsibility, but I lost all my confidence after a brain haemorrhage.

“The Working Life Service identifies the particular needs you have and addresses the areas in which you need assistance.

“To begin with, Gerry spoke to my employer and organised a phased return to work for me. Without that, I could have lost my job, as I was unaware of my rights and options.

“They also run a confidence building course and a public speaking course, which play a huge part in feeling able to return to work.”

She added: “Neurosupport also arranged for me to have an assessment through Access to Work, which I wasn’t aware of.

“They helped improve my quality of life, making me realise that I had to get my life back into balance and make the necessary adjustments.

“If it wasn’t for them, I would have lost more confidence, quality of life and independence.

“Due to funding, the NHS can’t provide everything, so any after-care is really down to the voluntary sector.

“It’s thanks to Neurosupport that I’ve managed to get my life back on track.”

Three years ago, Maureen also helped to set up the Brain Haemorrhage Support Group, which she chairs.

She said: “We link in with the Working Life Service and hold our meetings at Neurosupport. We do a Road to Recovery course, which is linked with a nurse at the Walton Centre.

“It took me around two years to find out what was available to me in terms of support, whereas this course allows people to learn all of that information in four weeks and points them in the right direction.

“People also need to hear things from others who’ve gone through the same experiences, so we have a buddy scheme, which makes this possible.”

She added: “I hope by doing this support group, I’m giving something back to Neurosupport and am helping to prevent people from going through what I went through; making their journey a bit easier and helping them to recover quicker. I’m also thinking about setting up a local support group in Widnes.”

Neurological conditions affect the brain, nervous system or spinal cord. Some of the most common include Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, ADHD, dyslexia, epilepsy, ME, Parkinson’s disease and brain injury.

The centre relies heavily on funding received from renting out its meeting rooms, as well as donations.

The staff at Neurosupport have teamed with PR students at Edge Hill University to increase awareness of the centre, in the hope to maximise the use of these meeting rooms. In turn, this will provide the centre with the vital funding needed to enable them to continue helping those in need, free of charge.

The networking event, Headstrong, takes place at the centre on Wednesday next week from 5.30pm. The event will also highlight the support and guidance offered by the centre, as well showcasing its meeting room facilities.

For further information, visit www.neurosupport.org.uk or call 0151 298 2999.