Fibromyalgia Support Group for Surrey and Sussex

Fibromyalgia Group moves to Lavinia House

Grand Opening - 4th Jan 2008

Since 2003 when the Fibromyalgia Support Group for Surrey and Sussex was founded the administration has been carried out from a small bedroom in the home of the Founder, Trustee and now Development Officer, Mrs. Jo Fisher. For some time the Trustees have been looking for larger accommodation to cope with the growth of the group and the resulting storage problems! A recent development near Horsham town centre has provided an answer to the problem. Horsham District Age Concern in partnership with Horsham Area Council for Voluntary Service have built a new complex including a day centre for Age Concern and a fleet of offices for local charities, behind the Drill Hall in Denne Road. The Fibromyalgia Support Group has been fortunate in being allocated one of these offices and took up occupancy at the beginning of 2008.

The Building almost complete

The opening ceremony and reception took place on 4th January in the Meeting Room, the event being ably chaired by Malcolm Rose, Chairman and Trustee of the Group. Many members of the Group were present including Trustees Jo Fisher, Tony Ede and Dr Mike Nicholls. (Janet Boniface the Group’s secretary was sadly unwell so missed the occasion.), Webmistress Stella Bernardi and Fundraiser Frances Bryan. Other members in attendance were Linda Andrews, Graham Berry, Brenda Ilses, Karen Kennedy-Lee, Pat Reeves and Geraldine Risley.

Guests in attendance at the ceremony were the Vice Chairman of Horsham District Council, John Bailey; Clinic Manager of the Fibromyalgia Clinic in London, an Advisor to the Group and volunteer, Daniel Austen; leader of the Arts Classes, Sheila Mayo; Trustee elect, local Horsham solicitor, Ian Huckstepp; Social Services representative Sharon Turton and freelance photographer, Neil Coffey who provided us with some wonderful photographs. Thanks go to Age Concern for providing the refreshments which were much appreciated and to HACVS for making everyone feel so welcome in the new surroundings. Webmistress Stella was busy with her camera!

Photos of People

The office, which was officially opened by Dan Austen is carpeted and magnificently equipped with desks, computers, telephone, cupboards and chairs, all ready for action. And on display were all the trophies, and certificates that the Group has been awarded.

Photos of the Office

The Helpline will remain the same – 01403 255450 - but the address for all correspondence will be Office No. 2, Lavinia House, Duke’s Square, Denne Road, Horsham, West Sussex RH12 1GZ. The office will have part-time staff and Jo will get her bedroom, and hopefully her life, back!! Thanks go to Jo for the use of it during all this time.

Photos by Neil Coffey

www.necof.com

Fibromyalgia is a very painful and debilitating though not life threatening condition. It is little understood and the Group’s remit is to raise awareness with the general public and the medical profession as well as assisting sufferers to control their illness, facilitating a better quality of life.

The use of the office will allow more members to volunteer as it has disabled access and will enable them to come in and chat about any concerns or problems they may be experiencing. There will also be opportunities to learn new skills which in time may help them to build up their confidence and self esteem in the hope that this will lead to employment. It will also enable members of the Group to hold meetings and to network with other charities and organisations which is vital to their work and the local community.

The charity is in need of new trustees and volunteers – and donations are always welcome! Anyone interested in helping, please contact the office (see above).

And finally the following piece of news has just been received from ATTEND:

“The Fibromyalgia Group has been chosen as one of only a few Attend members to be included in the Attend Creative pilot scheme. They are also one of only a couple of groups to be given the opportunity to work with Matt Kevan (Attend Creative) to redesign their entire publicity material. However, we are unable to confirm when this will commence but Attend will be in touch very shortly to take the first step in this process.
Many congratulations!” See: http://www.attend.org.uk