Good News!
West Midlands Lupus Group
Lupus Drop-In
re-started, Thursday, 14th April

LUPUS DROP-IN 
SECOND THURSDAY of EACH MONTH

2022

Next Lupus Drop-In

           
Date: Thursday, 9th June                            
Time: 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm

Theme: tba
                            
Silver Jubilee Park Hub
Mason Street
Coseley
WV14 9SZ

          Hope to see you there

     

Thursday, 12th May, 2022
We were delighted to welcome Lupus/Rheumatology Nurse, Rene Koumi, along with a new lady, making a total of 6 attendees. 

Thursday, 14th April, 2022
The Lupus Drop-In restarted at the Silver Jubilee Park Hub with 8 people attending. It was good to be able to meet face-to-face, albeit wearing facial coverings and socially distanced. Plans were discussed for future meetings/events.

Notes from previous Drop-In sessions at Merry Hill

Thursday, 13th February 2020
Due to other LUPUS UK commitments, Yvonne & Peter were unable to attend. BIG thank-you to Liz and Hannah (LUPUS UK Specialist Nurse) who led the session. Hannah spoke about blood tests and steroid usage and answered questions from the 14 people who attended. A most informative afternoon.

Thursday, 9th January 2020
An improvement in numbers for the first meeting of 2020 when 11 people attended, including 2 new ladies and a partner. Yvonne gave a presentation on visiting the GP/Consultant and decisions we can make in the New Year e.g. taking responsibility for our-selves Health-wise. This was followed by a general discussion.

Thursday, 13th December 2019
 7 people joined together for the Christmas session and enjoyed a variety of snacks and good conversation. The WMLG Annual Christmas Raffle was also drawn. Hopefully, members will include attending the Drop-In when they make their New Year Resolutions/Promises. It will be great to see numbers increase during 2020

Thursday, 14th November 2019
The fact that 7 people attended, including a 'new' lady, was a surprise considering the downpour of rain that continued all afternoon. LUPUS UK Specialist Nurse, Hannah Guest, joined the group and was able to answer some of the questions that arose during discussion on the theme of Lupus and Winter. Yvonne updated on the outcome of visits to 3 hospitals applying for Centre of Excellence status and other events that had taken place during a very busy Lupus Awareness Month.

Thursday, 10th October 2019
Only 7 members attended, 1 for the first time and 3 travelling a good distance. In response to questions, Yvonne & Peter explained the procedure for a hospital to become a LUPUS UK Centre of Excellence and the benefits the Award brings both to patients and medics. Following discussion on various treatments and coping with lupus, brain cells were tested with a lupus quiz. 

Thursday, 12th September 2019
16 members/family had a very informative afternoon. Hannah Guest, LUPUS UK Specialist Nurse, QE Hospital, B'ham, spoke about her work and answered questions on medication, side-effects, making appointments etc. It was good to have Gill back after her shoulder operation and to see Nazli after a long break. Congratulations to Pat who chose the winning name of a cuddly bear attired in a lupus t-shirt.

Thursday, 8th August 2019
10 members/friends watched a video of the opening Talk at the LUPUS UK AGM which took place at Exeter during May then followed up with a discussion on the various aspects of lupus and other matters. It was good to have a new lady and her daughter join us for the afternoon.

Thursday, 18th July 2019
10 members/friends had an enjoyable afternoon testing their knowledge of lupus through a Quiz and discussing various topics centered on lupus including the involvement/effects of social media. It was good to welcome a new member, Pat, who seemed pleased to have 'found' the Drop-In.

Thursday, 9th May 2019
Guest Speaker, Gethin Morgan, spoke to the 12 members present on the theme 'Tax, Care and Toy Boys!' The information he gave on legal protection and the carrying out of wishes following death was not as morbid as it may sound, but good, practical advice which raised a lot of questions. So much so that his 20 minute Talk lasted over an hour! Talk of 'future plans' continued after Gethin had left. A good, informative afternoon.

Thursday, 11th April 2019
The Drop-In was preceded by WMLG AGM during which the existing Committee members were all re-elected.
Chair: Yvonne Norton      Treasurer: Peter Norton
Membership/Minutes: John Oakley
Members: June Oakley, Sandra Ferreira, Mark Critchley, Mandy Critchley, Caroline Heise
Auditor: John Oakley
Following the AGM, the 14 members present watched a video presentation of Advances in Lupus Treatments by Prof Chris Edwards.

​10th birthday party & cheque presentation
      Thursday, 17th October 2013

​Below: Cllr Steve Waltho, Dr Niki Erb  and Yvonne with the Deputy Mayor of Dudley, Cllr Margaret Aston, and  Cllr Adam Aston, with representatives from Action Heart and Leukaemia UK

        
2022

Thursday  14th April: Where are we going?
Thursday 12th May: World Lupus Day
Thursday 9th June: 
Thursday 14th July: AGM tbc
Thursday 11th August:
Thursday 8th September: Guest Speaker, Sam Passi, Silver                                                                               Time Legal tbc
Thursday 13th October: Lupus Awareness Month
Thursday 10th November: 
Thursday 8th December:  Annual Raffle Draw                                                                       mince pies/snacks - Party-time

                         All sessions 2.00 pm - 4.00 pm

From the Drop-In Photo Album

2022 14th April 
Drop-In restarted at Silver Jubilee Park Hub

                    2019
​Hannah Guest, LUPUS UK Specialist Nurse, QE, B'ham (striped top), joined the Drop-In, 12th September.

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Last session of 2018  at Russells Hall Hospital

  
 Caroline's hand-made 
 Dutch Gnomes -  
 Great for Christmas gifts 
  

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(l-r): Gill, Caroline, Yvonne & Denise at the Cake Sale May 2017

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Towards the end of the Sale, most of the home-baked cakes have been sold

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Paula and Sean, Dudley CAB (far right, back row), with members during April 2017 information session 

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        Yvonne and Caroline at the
        'Christmas Party'
         December 2016

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The Mayoress of Dudley, Jayne Waltho,
visited the Drop-In,
May 2016, to speak about some of the fund raising events held on behalf of the Mayoral charities

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Getting into the Christmas party spirit - Dec 2015

2020
Lupus Drop-In
based at intu Merry Hill Shopping Centre
Cancelled due to Covid-19 from 19th March
​