Last Saturday (20/6) saw our 33rd Members’ Conference being held at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. This was reported on our official website at http://www.brps.org.uk/newsevent.php?tln=newsevents&newseventid=82.
The audio recordings of the four sessions of the event have been posted on this blog already (see previous article), so you can listen in at any time. You can also get a 3-CD version from the office (01280 821334) but as it takes time, the discs, postage and packing to get these to you, if you do request them please consider making a donation from our main website, we suggest £5 but this is entirely up to you.
A couple of comments from me on each session … …
The first session was our formal AGM, the ‘business’ section of the day. Members present were very supportive of the Trustees plans to grow the organisation by taking on more staff and increasing income over the next few years, and also readily approved the Annual Report & Accounts for last year. I was pleased on a personal level to also receive great support for the changes we are trying to make, as we modernise the charity step by step.
The second slot saw the launch of our new patient information film on DVD. We had a 20 minute version of the film, which has been produced by a team at Channel 4, and they’ve made a fantastic job. Several members in the audience were quite emotional following the film, which explores most of the main issues faced by people with RP such as employment issues, driving, family planning, fears, mobility, day to day living, and much more. The full 50 minute version is still being finalised, but we expect to be able to distribute it very shortly.
Thirdly the meeting was addressed by Sarah Rochira, of RNIB Wales, who outlined her organisation’s work to ensure that people with visual impairments secure all the benefits they are entitled to. This was very interesting, I think many in the audience were shocked at the millions of pounds that goes unclaimed by VIPs and impressed at the ambitions plans of RNIB Wales to address the issue.
Finally the meeting heard from Dr Lyndon Da Cruz and was able to ask medical questions of him and Professor John Marshall. Dr DaCruz is involved in the clinical trials of retinal implants taking place in this country, and others, at the moment and was able to bring us all up to date with progress. We also heard from one of his patients – John Thomas – who had the implant placed into his right eye several months ago and is more mobile as a result. Again, this presentation is available by audio at this previous article.
Overall the meeting was very positive indeed, with several people telling us it was “the best AGM for several years” and “the ideal venue”, which is very gratifying of course. I think the only complaint was that the room got a bit warm, perhaps we caught the Welsh summer!
If you were at the meeting, thank you for attending and for your support for our work. If you weren’t, make sure you can get to the 2010 event at Euston in London, on June 19th.
Tags: agm, conference, da cruz, marshall, retinitis pigmentosa, rochira
