Birmingham IA's Information Day on May 17th at the Birmingham Conference and Events Centre brought together patients, healthcare professionals, and suppliers for a day packed with practical knowledge and support.
Venue and Schedule
The centrally-located BCEC near New Street Station proved an appropriate choice for this year's event. The day began with a lively Suppliers' Exhibition where attendees explored the latest products before moving into the main presentation programme.
Informative Presentations
After introductions from Mike Jamieson of Birmingham IA and then Lauren Henderson from Fittleworth, the event main sponsor, attendees benefited from a series of focused talks by healthcare and other experts.
Sophie Turigel shared practical dietary advice specifically for ostomists, while Samantha Lee offered realistic strategies for managing work life with chronic illness.
Scott Clifford's moving presentation highlighted the importance of effective support systems, and Uchu Meade delivered clear guidance on medication matters, including pharmacokinetics for ostomists and pouch patients, and medication in pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Community Building
The buffet lunch provided a valuable opportunity for attendees to connect, share experiences, and speak directly with suppliers and speakers about their specific needs.
Afternoon Programme
President of Birmingham IA, and Consultant Colo-rectal surgeon at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, Miss Melissa Cunha's afternoon presentation on hydration for ostomists and internal pouch patients was particularly well-received, sparking numerous questions and discussions that addressed common concerns.
As well as a raffle, sponsored by Moonpig, the afternoon wrapped up with a short, but lively, AGM and Business Meeting.
A special presentation was made to Birmingham IA member Keith Kightley for his marathon Birmingham IA fundraising achievements.
Outgoing Birmingham IA committee members, Syeda Akhter and Andy Greenaway, were each presented with a gift to thank them for all of their valuable work for Birmingham IA.
Accessibility
For those unable to attend in person, the live-stream ensured that the wider community could still access the valuable information shared throughout the day.
Impact
The £10 attendance fee helped cover costs while supporting Birmingham IA's ongoing work.
Feedback from both in-person and online attendees was positive, with many highlighting the practical, applicable nature of the information provided.
Birmingham IA thanks all who contributed to this successful event, including a special thanks to Shelagh (committee member Ailidh's mum), for her excellent photography throughout the day, and looks forward to building on this year's format for future information days.
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Birmingham IA 7 days ago |
I know we are advised to not drink water alone but these are ideas to keep safe and cool in these extreme weather from the NHS
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Birmingham IA 7 days ago |
I want to thank all who attended our social coffee morning in Sutton Coldfield..and also thank Alex Browning from Dansac on her presentation to the group on a throught-provoking discussion on what ostomists throught was their top priorities in selecting stoma bags, eliminating leaks was the top reason for this amongst the members who attended..it was good to see the discussions of different views from our members. This highlighted that no one size fits all when it comes down to stomas bag.
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Birmingham IA 7 days ago |
While these temperatures are increasing,Please keep yourself safe..keep hydrated and use sun protections.
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Birmingham IA 8 days ago |
I have heard conversations regarding the lack of facilities and waste bins in male toilets as they often don't provide them so males who have stomas or incontinence issue. This is a link regarding how they are trying to change this issue. https://www.phs.co.uk/male-incontinence/ have a read.
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Birmingham IA 9 days ago |
I was made aware that the male toilets are not equipped for males with stoma or incontinence here a link with information regarding this issue
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Birmingham IA 9 days ago |
Don't Forget to pop along to our Sutton Coldfield Social coffee morning tomorow at 10.30am.1 Brassington Avenue Sutton Coldfield B73 6AA Alex Browning from Dansac giving a presentation..but not confirmed yet
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Birmingham IA 9 days ago |
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Birmingham IA 9 days ago |
This a a committee leaving meal of Peggy Andy and Syeda. Who sadly stepped down from their roles. I would like to congratulate all of them for their dedication and commitment to Birmingham IA. Peggy has been a member of BirminghamIA since 1979 and began volunteering at MrBevan's stoma clinic in Dudley Road Hospital and then joined the committee in 2001 as the membership Secretary and decided to step down earlier this year. She will ne remaining as a member of birmingham IA. I would also acknowledge her family who always supported Birmingham IA throughout aswell along side Peggy. Andy became a member of BirminghamIA in 1999 and started of becoming a One-to-One support volunteer and then joined the committee in a new role of Engagement Manager and became very successful at this role then sadly stepped down from the role early this year. Syeda joined BirminghamIA in in 2004-2009,she rejoined in 2015 and still remains she was on the committee twice for two different roles first she was the Social Media Manager and then rejoined the committee as the One to One Coordinator until she stepped down earlier this year... They will be sadly missed in their roles within the committee I would also like to acknowledge the outstanding work Mike as done for Birmingham IA who also stepped down..and we have given Mike and Peggy a honoury member of BirminghamIA.
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Birmingham IA 9 days ago |
Good to see the awareness is getting out there
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Birmingham IA 10 days ago |
Our Keith when he did his last half a marathon
