Training
A One Day Conference
"Brain Injury, Education and The Unfinished Business of Growing Up"
Was held on Thursday 14th October 2010, Lancashire County Cricket Club
PotterRees, in proud association with the Child Brain Injury Trust hosted a One Day Conference in Manchester focusing on some of the difficult issues arising following a childhood brain injury. Our respected panel of speakers explored some of the practical strategies that might usefully be adopted to deal with the challenges that can arise, with emphasis on the child's reintegration in school.
Our excellent speakers included Rob Forsyth - Senior Lecturer and Consultant Paediatric Neurologist at the Royal Victoria Infirmary and Newcastle University; Beth Wicks - Education Consultant; Dr Nigel Colbert - Consultant Clinical Psychologist; Anne Riley - Senior Case Manager, Helen Blakesley - Specialist Practitioner for Children with Acquired Brain Injuries at Royal Manchester Childrens Hospital and Louise Wilkinson - Training Manager at the Child Brain Injury Trust and former Potter Rees client Rosalie and her mum Rachel. Whilst all these speakers were very well received, the delegates' most fullsome praise was reserved for Rosalie Sullivan (now 26) and her mum Rachel, both of whom bravely shared with their audience their highs and lows following Rosalie's brain injury (acquired when she was just 14), giving delegates a first hand and invaluable insight into 'How it was for them'.
The whole day was hailed a resounding success, with 99% of the feedback rating the seminar as 'excellent'. This well attended conference attracted delegates from a wide range of specialisms with public sector and charity workers benefiting from free places. Those delegates paying for places at the conference were delighted to learn their fees, totalling almost £3000.00, had been donated to the Child Brain Injury Trust to enable them to continue with their vital work in this field.
Below are just a few of the wonderful comments and feedback we received following the conference. We would like to say a huge "Thank-you" to all our speakers who gave their time and knowledge so freely; and to everyone who helped and attended.
"Loved the variety of speakers. Extremely informative and learnt lots. Thank You!" - Family Support Specialist Practitioner
"Really pleased to have access to an ABI course which focuses on your people and the role of education. Hope there is more to come" - Teacher
"Really good day. Interesting and thought provoking. Thank-you for organising it" - Clinical Specialist OT
"Fantastic conference. I have certainly gained a greater insight into CBIT - ABI - especially with regard to education and the need for awareness. I cannot fault this conference at all!" Education Recruitment Manager NW
"The best most useful conference I've been to in recent years" - Specialist Advisory Teaching Service
"Great diverse team of individuals speaking in an easy to understand fashion. It was fantastic to see people with such passion as I feel to increase awareness of brain injury in educational establishments. It is certainly clear to see that we all need to work in partnership with one another to increase awareness" - National Head of Education Services
"Beth Wicks could lead a whole day's session that would be beneficial to a lot of people" - Clinical Specialist OT
"Rob Forsyth - excellent speaker" - Paediatric Case Manager
"Louise Wilkinson gave a very heartfelt presentation and talked a lot of sense" - Community Brain Injury Team
"Rosalie and her mother were phenomenal - many thanks to them for their honesty and frankness" - Consultant OT
"Rachel and Rosalie - you need to provide tissues!!! Very emotional and powerful speech" - Parent
Due to the success of our first ever conference, we have been in talks to plan another for 2011. If you would like to know more about upcoming conferences or seminars, please email vickygriffin@potterrees.co.uk to be added to our mailing list.
