The chair of a renowned Midlands health charity is running her first race since childhood to raise funds for patients with complex neurological conditions.

Caroline Wilson will be running the 5km race on 7 September for Castel Froma Neuro Care, the charity she chairs in Leamington Spa.

Castel Froma is one of only two centres of its kind in England that treats NHS patients with complex neurological illnesses like Multiple Sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease, or who have suffered trauma in an accident.

Caroline, who is in her early 60s, said: “I’ve bought some running shoes and on 7 September I’m going to do my first ever 5km run to raise funds for this very special charity.

“I can’t explain how much of a non-runner I am, but let’s just say that this will be my first race since I was made to do the 800 metres in a school sports day in the 1970s!

“I was talking to a friend who’s a runner and, in a moment of madness, somehow found myself entering the race. To make sure I don’t wimp out, I’ve decided to get sponsored to raise money for Castel Froma.

“Despite its essential place in the healthcare system, it is a constant challenge to balance the books here at Castel Froma as NHS and social care budgets only cover the costs of essential nursing and therapy.

“Many people who use our facilities at Lillington House and Helen Ley House in Leamington Spa need months or years of rehabilitation before they move to more independent living, and for some it becomes their long-term home.

“I’m therefore raising money to help make it feel more like a home than a hospital by funding extra activities and entertainment, which can make a massive difference to residents’ wellbeing.

“Thank you in advance to everyone who sponsors me. I’m now in training and am determined to raise as much as I can by completing the race.”

Caroline added: “Every penny people donate will go directly to the charity as I’ve paid the race entry fee and GoFundMe doesn’t take a percentage. If you can add Gift Aid, that’s even better!”

Donations for Caroline’s first ever 5km race can be made at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/improve-lives-at-castel-froma

An historic Midlands health charity for residents with complex neurological conditions has launched a major review of its facilities to ensure it continues to meet changing care needs.

Castel Froma Neuro Care was founded in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire in 1874 and is one of only two centres of its kind in England, with NHS patients coming from across the Midlands and further afield.

The renowned charity provides specialist care, treatment, rehabilitation and comprehensive therapeutic facilities for people with conditions ranging from brain injuries to multiple sclerosis, motor neurone disease, Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s diseases.

Castel Froma is currently based in two properties at Lillington House and Helen Ley House, which between them care for approximately 90 residents at any one time.

Caroline Wilson, Chair of Castel Froma, said: “At Castel Froma, we’re dedicated to providing worldclass care and therapy to residents with profound neurological conditions and the aftermath of severe head injuries.

“How health care is delivered is rapidly changing. We want to make sure we offer the best places to meet the needs of residents for decades to come, ensuring we offer the NHS maximum value for money.

“A key area to review is whether this care is best delivered on two sites, or whether further development on one site might be more beneficial in order to provide the best facilities for residents.

“Lillington House is largely a Victorian era building, with a 1990s extension. The majority of bedrooms at Lillington House are not ensuite, the building is very old and we wish to provide improved facilities for residents, who reasonably expect ensuite rooms.

“The Trustees are considering a number of options including whether the building can be fully modernised, or whether it makes more sense to rebuild a new centre in the extensive grounds at Lillington Road, or alternatively to further extend our Helen Ley site.

“Trustees are also considering the possibility of building a new community hub on the Lillington Road site for those residents who require regular therapy but no longer need residential care. No decisions have yet been taken and we are exploring all these options as part of our review.”

The Castel Froma charity has 215 staff including specialist nurses, doctors, physiotherapists, occupational and speech therapists, psychologists and other therapy and care professionals.

Ms Wilson pointed out that the review was primarily looking at Castel Froma’s facilities, not its staffing, and was about how and where to deliver care. She said the review would include advice from property experts who are exploring options with suitable developers and partners.

Ms Wilson added: “This review is focused on our commitment to the best care of our residents, whose needs are at the heart of everything we do.

“We’re excited at the possibilities, including the potential creation of a new community out-patient hub. Most people with brain injuries or neurological conditions prefer to remain at home as long as there is adequate support, and our dedicated staff will be crucial in enabling us to provide this service.

“Castel Froma Neuro Care has developed its services for more than 150 years, changing with the times. It’s now time to explore whether our existing sites are the best way to meet the care needs of our residents. The outcome of the review, and any resulting proposals, will be communicated to staff and residents as soon as possible.”

Wednesday 21^st December at 14:00

Local independent businesses will be joining us at Helen Ley, selling a variety of gifts and festive products.

 

We are pleased to be opening our doors to friends and relatives and would love it if you could join us.

 

Residents wishing to purchase items at the market will need to have money available to them for the event.

We are so grateful for a generous grant offered to us by The Hobson Charity of up to £3,864. The grant was used to restart social outings and activities for our residents, specifically to cover outdoor social activities, transport and entrance fees.

Our dedicated Therapy team arranged an exciting event for residents, who were transported by Jumbulance to Coombe Abbey to enjoy the Luminate Lights Trail.  Residents enjoyed the enchanting journey along the mesmerising trail with some of their relatives and friends with the support of the whole Castel Froma Neuro Care team. The mile long trail through the historic grounds of Coombe Abbey Park included stunning lighting elements and fabulous light plays all set to ambient music.

Our Deputy Chief Executive, Elizabeth Jackson, has been appointed Vice Chair of the Specialist Section – Neurological Practice (SSNP) for the Royal College of Occupational Therapists. The SSNP is made up of a dynamic group of members who are all passionate about helping individuals living with neurological conditions to maximise their potential. The SSNP seeks to develop, promote, and influence the occupational therapist’s role in neurological rehabilitation by supporting clinical best practice, shining a light on the most up to date evidence and research and commenting on and influencing national policy. Members across the UK share ideas, reflect and develop clinical practice and contribute to the specialist sections objectives.

It is an opportunity for neurological OTs to get involved in projects, research, personal and professional development.  Elizabeth looks forward to being a part of the creation of a platform for our community to achieve this.

We are thrilled to share that the National Lottery Community Fund has awarded Castel Froma Neuro Care £9,988.00 for the creation of a new sensory room at Lillington House, to provide our community with wellbeing interventions and create a personalised experience for each beneficiary.  Sending out a BIG thank you to National Lottery Community Fund and the National Lottery players for making this possible! #NationalLottery

Watch this space for pictures of our newly created sensory room in due course!  Seen here with our Community Fund cheque are Elizabeth Jackson – Deputy Chief Executive, Kylie Gates – Therapy Manager, Nicole Fyfe – Physiotherapy Team Lead, Jennifer Phillips – Occupational Therapy Team lead and Katie McCourt – Trainee Psychologist.

May 2022

Members of the Management team are putting on their trainers and getting muddy to raise funds for the CFNC charity by running the Wolf Run on 23rd April. Any sponsorship would be greatly appreciated, and please spread the word!

Please follow this link to sponsor

Alex Albu commenced his role as Clinical Manager at Lillington House in December 2021. Alex joined CFNC in 2015, as a Registered General Nurse, before progressing to the roles of Senior Nurse, Senior Nursing Team Leader, Deputy Clinical Manager, all at Helen Ley House and now Clinical Manager at Lillington House. He qualified as a nurse in Romania in 2014 and worked as a paramedic before starting at CFNC. Outside of work, Alex is a passionate beekeeper and enjoys spending time in nature and travelling.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Elizabeth Jackson, previously Acting Therapy Manager, was appointed Deputy Chief Executive in April 2021. Elizabeth joined CFNC as an Occupational Therapist in 2019. She completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Witwatersrand, South Africa in 2012, followed by a Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy in 2020. She has practised in a variety of settings including chronic care, acute care, academic hospitals and specialist rehabilitation. Since joining CFNC, Elizabeth has taken a keen interest in service development for the benefit of service users and the organisation alike.

Barbara Grant has joined Castel Froma Neuro Care as commercial executive.

Barbara has previously worked as an executive personal assistant across various industries and brings a wide range of business skills to this new role. She will provide administrative support to the senior management team, as well as assisting them through a variety of special projects for the charity and the profiling of the organisation for marketing and fundraising purposes. Barbara says: “I am very much looking forward to being part of the Castel Froma family and sincerely hope to add as much value as I can to this amazing organisation.”

Outside work, Barbara is actively involved with Elevate – a teenage group at her local church. She also enjoys going to the gym and bird watching.