Return to Osborne Centre Page

The question often asked “Who runs the Osborne Day Centre?” has a very simple answer. Anyone who kindly offers to give some time and help each week, in any capacity, is vital to the daily functioning of the Centre.

The Day Centre operates Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Helpers are always on hand throughout the building to assist members in any personal way or be there for a chat.

The day could not commence without Transport Officers organising the transport runs to bring in the less able members and drivers and escorts to bring all the members in on time for their session. More volunteer drivers are always needed.

By the time people start arriving the tables have already been set for lunch, tea and coffee are being prepared and the aromas of home cooking welcomes everyone. All thanks to a different group of volunteers on each day the centre opens. The activities begin as soon as the members arrive. The physiotherapy room is soon a buzz with members ready to be assisted onto the tilt tables, pedal machines or standing frames. Our physiotherapist is on contract from Bournemouth Hospital but all her assistants are volunteers. The hairdressing room is always busy on Tuesdays and Thursdays with volunteers washing, cutting, setting and perming hair for any member wanting a 'hairdo'. On alternative Mondays we have a therapist who works in the hairdressing room. She offers Indian Head massage, foot and hand massage, plus a number of other holistic therapies. On most Wednesdays there is a yoga class while the centre is quiet. Other 'out of hours' meetings take place such as the Carers Group meetings about once every two months, usually in the evening as most carers work during the day.

There are two shops at the centre, Aladdin's Cave our charity shop and a tuck shop. We also have a very well equipped computer suite, kindly donated by Barclays Bank and a Quite Room funded by The National Lottery. Arts and Crafts is another activity available at the centre.

After hours the caretaker secures the building and supervises contract cleaning activities.

The branch has to comply with standards set by the National Centre and the MS Society's Constitution. It also has to work strictly under regulations set by the Charity Commission. In accordance with the Constitution the branch must have a committee of named officers, these being a Chairman, Secretary, Welfare Officer and Treasurer and hold regular committee meetings. A branch is not permitted to operate without a treasurer. Branches then elect other officers to suit their individual needs. For Bournemouth these volunteers undertake the work of organising Transport and Fund Raising. What is required of these officers? This is another question that has been asked ie. Who should do what? The following very brief descriptions may answer this, but in reality once a day session begins everyone happily tackles any query or task that is requested of them.

The Chairman chairs monthly meetings, and when invited gives talks at various venues to promote the activities and the needs of the Centre.

The Support Officers are in constant touch with MS members either at the Day Centre, in the homes of those members unable to attend sessions and of course members who are hospitalised. Advice is given about benefits. Help is given to newly diagnosed people. Advice can be given on where to seek help for home improvements and equipment. Any discussion with a member is of course totally confidential. The work is complex and time consuming.

The Treasurer keeps detailed records of all income and expenditure and with the help of nominated cashiers is responsible for the handling of all cash. Annual accounts are finalised, in accordance with the National Centre pro-forma, by the end of January each year for approval by the appointed auditors.

A Branch Secretary is closely involved with the general administration of the branch and is responsible for the branch correspondence, taking minutes of monthly committee meetings and putting into action decisions made by the committee.

Fund Raising produces income for the branch by way of street collections and events. Dates for street collections have to be requested from Councils at least nine months in advance and permission has to be obtained from supermarkets during the previous year. Between about thirty to fifty volunteer collectors are required for each street collection. Trays have to be prepared with collecting boxes, stickers, literature sashes and authorisation cards. Schedules have to be drawn up for transport arrangements and drivers and escorts spend a long day transporting collectors and their day's collections. The Fund Raising officer organises about six or seven varied events during the year, each one needing many hours of commitment by the organiser. Items donated for sale at events are given to the branch throughout the year, so a lot of time is also spent in sorting and storing clothes and bric-a-brac etc. Fairs need a lot of support from volunteer on the day, whereas other functions may need only a few helpers. Each event takes a lot of preparation and physical work.

Top    Osborne Centre