“Towards a new Strategy” Options for the Post Polio Support Group Keelin O’Reilly & Associates

Planning 1. Examine how the Organisation is doing currently 2. Identify external factors that could impact 3. Vision for the Organisation in 3 years time 4. Identify areas to be addressed 5. Examine options/routes forward and decide on best 6. Decide on objectives and actions

Process to Date Workshop with the Board of Directors Survey of Members Consultation with staff and Board Consultation with Social Support Groups Consultation with Convenors

Next Steps Further Consultation with Social Support Groups Decisions regarding Strategy Development of Plan

Annual Survey of Member Needs

Current Situation - General Positive Aspects The unique support given to members Regional structures are in place Financial and advisory support Publications (2 books) Annual survey of members “Survivor” Dealings with office and Board members Referral service Positive image amongst members Appointment of full-time Administrator (and CEO)

Current Situation - General Positive Aspects Availability of Grants Recognition of Post Polio Syndrome by the Government (1997) Clear core objectives Professional approach Member loyalty Provision of quality information to members and other stakeholders Increased funding

Current Situation - General Positive Aspects Some increase to date in awareness levels of medical professionals Utilisation of contacts New memberships increasing (10% annually) Improved Management Information Systems

Current Situation - Services & Activities Positive Aspects Quality of the Services All services are increasing Aids and Appliances Chiropody Respite Physiotherapy Ring-Ring Initiative ‘Chill Out’ Day for Regional Representatives Social Support Groups Physical and psychological support Getting polio sufferers together

Current Situation – Social Support Groups Positive Aspects Support and encouragement from peer group Social aspect Friendships Feeling of being at ease Mutual support Sense of pride in the group Opportunity to learn from others Speakers or Themes for meetings Relaxed setting

Issues to be Addressed /Areas for Development MANAGEMENT Greater clarity of roles Greater clarity of purpose for various committees Streamline the administration of some services, e.g. Chiropody and Physiotherapy Introduce a method of suggesting items for the AGM Agenda Bring AGM out of Dublin more frequently Increased development (growth) at regional level Recruitment of more volunteers to help with the activities of PPSG Publicise the Guidelines / Code of Conduct for Members Draw on the expertise of local groups more Improved access at national office (e.g. spring-release doors)

Issues to be Addressed/ Areas for Development COMMUNICATIONS Better communication regarding the implementation of the works programme/plan Effective and purposeful networking with other organisations More opportunities for social meetings More opportunities for interaction between regions/branches Ensure provision of information to polio survivors who are not members

Issues to be Addressed / Areas for Development FUNDING/FUNDRAISING Identify additional sources of funding Ongoing review of funds allocation based on needs identified (currently in place) Identification of needs which may not be met through State funding Ensure a balanced approach to fundraising Ensure against over-dependence on HSE grant

Issues to be Addressed / Areas for Development PUBLIC RELATIONS / PROFILE / IMAGE Review and develop Public Relations Increase publicity for Polio Survivors Further development of website, e.g. one page per branch/region Develop “Survivor” further More involvement of members at regional level

Issues to be Addressed / Areas for Development PUBLIC RELATIONS / PROFILE / IMAGE Increase the membership Further increase in awareness amongst medical professionals, in particular GPs Education of children to enable better interaction with people with disabilities Increase awareness amongst Government departments of the special needs of Post Polio Survivors

Issues to be Addressed / Areas for Development SERVICES & ACTIVITIES – GENERAL Increase the take-up of services generally, e.g. publicise them more Provide information on accessible car parks and restaurants Provide more information on the medical condition of Post-Polio Syndrome Provide fact sheets on services provided by other organisations/agencies

Issues to be Addressed / Areas for Development AIDS & APPLIANCES AND OT Publicise exhibitions of Aids & Appliances Increase knowledge/data bank on Aids & Appliances, e.g. suppliers, Seek ways of providing demonstrations of Aids & Appliances Improved Occupational Therapy services Funded full-time post of Occupational Therapist Assisting members to make their homes more energy efficient and cost effective

Issues to be Addressed / Areas for Development SOCIAL SUPPORT GROUPS Exchange visits for Social Support Groups (SSG’s) to meet and exchange information/ideas Additional funds for Social Support Groups Additional Social Support Groups (where a need is identified) Increase the membership of SSG’s Improve transport Improve access at meeting venues

Issues to be Addressed / Areas for Development SOCIAL SUPPORT GROUPS Arrange central venue for meetings Include additional hobby/leisure activities Establish why people don’t attend Maintain contact with SSG members during winter months

Issues to be Addressed / Areas for Development OTHER SERVICES Clarity around the Ring-Ring service Keep the case for alternative therapies under review Greater flexibility around counselling services Increased access to medical specialists Information/advice/support for those who have to go into nursing homes or long-stay hospitals

Issues to be Addressed / Areas for Development POSSIBLE FUTURE ROLE OF PPSG Consider broadening the current role of PPSG (taking into account the finite nature of the organisation) Provide support for polio sufferers in the Third World

Issues to be Addressed / Areas for Development BENEFITS / WELFARE / FINANCIAL SUPPORT Increased tailoring of Social Welfare schemes for Polio Survivors Lobby for extension of all-Ireland Free Travel scheme to Polio Survivors regardless of age Seek funding for exclusive heating allowance Seek to extend grant for motorised transport beyond retirement Allocation of Disabled Person’s Grant Automatic provision of renewed medical cards Seek more accessible parking spaces Consider making financial support available to ensure a better lifestyle for members Publicise new grants more