It began in March this year when we received an email asking for new, unopened ostomy supplies to help those in the Ukraine who were desperately struggling to get hold of such items. Various charities and addresses of where to send these items were provided.
I spoke with Mike Jameson, our Chairman, and suggested I would be more than happy to arrange this. We agreed to email our Birmingham members to ask if they had any spare unwanted supplies which they could send directly to me or bring to one of our coffee mornings. The company I work for was more than happy to pay for the courier.to have them sent out in one batch, to save our members paying any postage.
I would personally like to say a massive thank you to all our Birmingham IA members who contributed, and I’m pleased to report that a very large box of supplies was despatched to the Polish Integration Support Centre where they take the supplies straight in to the worst hit parts of the Ukraine the following week. Another very special THANKYOU is due to my AMAZING friend Suzanne, who knew what I was doing and mentioned it to her aunt Carol who had a connection with someone who had an ostomy. A few days later, Suzanne contacted me to say that she had some supplies for us and that she would deliver them at the weekend. (Suzanne lives in Farnham, Surrey and her aunt Carol lives in Welshpool, Wales, so not exactly on the doorstep!!) The supplies arrived and were very well received over a coffee or two.
Back in August I had another phone call from Suzanne saying her Aunt Carol had provided another load of supplies which she would deliver in October. When she said a load, she wasn’t joking! Her Aunt Carol had mentioned the appeal to her neighbours, who decided off their own back to go and buy some medical supplies from the local supermarkets. What amazing people! A further email went out to Birmingham IA members and yet again they didn’t disappoint.
So, another very large box will be leaving here this week (October 7th) for the Polish Integration Support Centre. I had a phone conversation with them today and it will be dispatched once again from there to the Ukraine.
Again, a massive thank you to the Birmingham IA members who contributed and again, a very special THANK YOU to my AMAZING friend Suzanne and her equally amazing aunt Carol. And of course, a special thankyou to Aunt Carol’s neighbours for their generous contributions.
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Birmingham IA 6 days ago |
Alex Browning from Dansac will be giving a chat to our members who will be attending Sutton Coldfield Social on Friday 11th July. Chat as not been confirmed as of yet but will be happening on the day please come along all welcome at thr united Reformed church 1 Brassington Avenue Sutton Coldfield B73 6AA 10.30am till 12.30pm. Come along and say hello.
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Birmingham IA 6 days ago |
I would like to thank Dietician Sophie Turigel from QE hospital for giving up her time and doing the presentation on dietary and hydration advice to our members by zoom this evening very useful and knowledgeable...Hope all who attended enjoyed the presentation and you got some advice that can benefit yourself or anyone who as got a stoma or Pouch.
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Birmingham IA 7 days ago |
Don't Forget your travel certificate if considering to travel soon and check birmingham ileostomy and Internal Pouch Association to get your travel tips and and if any of our members want one ask a member of our committee for a travel certificate.
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Birmingham IA 7 days ago |
Hope our members get to check out Sophie Turigel A dietician who works along side Melissa Cunha's team at QE hospital. Well worth getting a presentation on dietary advice for people living with a stoma or a pouch...all members will have recieved the link by now 3rd july 730pm by zoom call. These are one of the things we offer our members a chance to get advice from professional dietician who works with people who have stomas and pouches
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Birmingham IA 7 days ago |
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Birmingham IA 7 days ago |
Don't Forget out next social is fast approaching on the 11th July at Sutton Coldfield 10.30am The united Reformed church 1 Brassington Avenue Sutton Coldfield B73 6AA
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Birmingham IA 7 days ago |
It's good to hear that the awareness is getting out there
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Birmingham IA 8 days ago |
We attended this event new cross stoma nurse day in wolverhampton
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Birmingham IA 8 days ago |
Don't Forget The zoom call with Sophie Turigel A interesting presentation on dietary needs for people with ileostomy and pouchies all our members will have the link sent to them 3rd july 730pm...look forward to seeing my of you there
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Birmingham IA 12 days ago |
This was one of our members and his wife. Tony Mcnicholas and his wife Marie. Tony had been a member with Birmingham IA since 2019 but he sadly passed in may 2025, Tony was a very popular and committed member of our group. Marie always came with Tony to meetings and events. Marie has very kindly donated a sum of money to help Birmingham IA continue providing others with support and a community as Tony found the group helpful for himself and his wife during his time as a member. We are so greatful to Marie and the rest of Tony family and friends for the donation. And I am sure Tony will be sadly missed within the socials and all the members who knew him.
