Breathe Easy Banbury is a support group for people affected by lung conditions including their friends, family and carers. Find out more on Breathe Easy.
Where?
We meet at the Territorial Army Centre, 5th Squadron, Oxford Road, Banbury OX16 9AN.
The venue for our meetings is ideal, with disabled facilities and parking adjacent to the meeting room.
View a map of the venue location.
Priorities
This year the group is planning to focus on the awareness of children's lung health, in support of the British Lung Foundation's Children's Charter, which will be launched in June.
Opposite is a photo of our stand during Breathe Easy Week in June, where we were joined by the Mayor.
More about the group
£500 Award from Banbury Charities
We had applied to Banbury Charities for enough money to buy a new computer to be used for the many Breathe Easy Banbury administration tasks that our Secretary Jeni Smith tackles. These tasks range from letters, to information to the group, awareness posters, minutes for both monthly meetings and committee meetings, to our fabulous newsletter - and let's not forget the emails that are sent back and forth between her and other committee members.
While Jeni had been using her own laptop it was getting a little unreliable and, as you can see, a reliable computer was needed to complete all that work!
With the money from Banbury Charities she has (guided by Pete, her husband) managed to buy - computer, printer and carrybag!
Many, many thanks to the Trustees of Banbury Charities!
Christmas Lunch
Many thanks to Margaret Robinson for arranging this very successful Christmas Lunch on the 7 December. A staggering 28 of our members and friends enjoyed an excellent meal at The Joiners Arms in Bloxham. Thanks to everybody there who made the day so special.
This year was a little different because nobody had to pay for their meal - we had been awarded a Seniors Grant of £400 from Cherwell District Council, this covered the cost of the food. A 'Secret Santa' made sure that everybody had something to take home.
The weather took a turn for the worse and down came the snow but there were only four cancellations - what a determined lot our members are!
World COPD Day
Even the bad weather on 17 November couldn’t deter BE Banbury from raising awareness of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as the group was very lucky to be able to hold their World COPD Day event on the Oxon Health Bus, which was parked outside M&S in Banbury. A big thank you to our driver John who kept the bus warm throughout the day.
People of all ages were queuing outside the bus for most of day in order to either pick up more information about COPD or to have their lungs tested by Jo Riley and Alison Warner from the Oxon Respiratory Nursing Team.
Donation towards Lung Research
For our Annual General Meeting on 2 August, we heard an update about new British Lung Foundation (BLF) projects from Clair Evans, who is our Development Officer. She was pleased to hear that we had voted to pass on £2,000 of our funds to the BLF for research purposes. Pictured opposite is Alison Warner, one of our health care professionals from the Horton Hospital, presenting the cheque to Clair.
After this, Dr Smith, one of our Consultants at the Horton with the Respiratory Team, led a question and answer session, which everybody agreed was very worthwhile.
Wardington Fete
The Breathe Easy Banbury 'crew' all pitched in to set up a stand for the group and create lots of interest at the fete in Wardington on 18 July.
There was a raffle with some wonderful prizes that Bev from Wardington had collected for us. Ann and her grandson Phil, organised plenty of information and talked to passers-by.
The sun shone and it was a great day, so thank you to all that helped and to Wardington Village! Breathe Easy Banbury also received a cheque for £251 from the Wardington Cricket Club, which we will be putting towards our Wardington local spend fund.
Equipment bought for Children with Lung Conditions
In the picture opposite, Alison Wilson, Respiratory Nurse, presented a number of children's oximeters to Avril Howe, Staff Nurse in the Horton Hospital Children's Ward, next to Breathe Easy Banbury's awareness stand during June.
The oximeters were bought using money raised by the Hare & Hound pub and the village cricket team in Wardington. Pub landlady Carol Wixey has been the driving force behind the campaign. Many thanks also to Jeni Smith, the Secretary for Breathe Easy Banbury.
The group has been very pleased to support the Children's Ward in the year of the launch of the British Lung Foundation Children's Charter. The group has also produced a children's newsletter and children's awareness packs to be distributed.
Medication & Curry - An unusual mix!
We had an unusual meeting in March with Pharmacist Mr Popat and his wife coming to speak to the group. While Mr Popat was telling us about running his pharmacy, his wife was cooking up alongside him an authentic Indian dish, which we then tucked into a bit later on during the meeting!
Trip to Bletchley Park
We experienced a wonderful heritage trip, complete wtih exhibitions and talks about World War II in May. A thoroughly enjoyable day was had by all!
Happy 14th Birthday BE Banbury!
The group celebrated our 14th birthday recently, a great achievement for all involved!
We were joined by four members of BE Northampton and were entertained by Roger and Trevor, "The Touring Musicians" (seen in the photo opposite). Both groups understand the value of getting together and are already planning shared outing and trips.
We are a friendly group who believe strongly in supporting each other, and welcome anyone with breathing difficulties or those who have an interest in lung disease. Our aim is to promote the British Lung Foundation and Breathe Easy in the local community.
BE Banbury wins 2 Awards!
Breathe Easy Banbury were presented with two 'Breath of Fresh Air Awards' from the British Lung Foundation.
The first was for Outstanding Service to Breathe Easy and the Local Community.
Liz from the British Lung Foundation said "this is an energetic group that go far beyond just putting on meetings. In particular, activites include brilliant local promotion of the group and the services provided by the BLF, diverse awareness-raising and fundraising events throughout the year and fantastic standards of care and support. The group have also had local influence through developing strong links with local MPs, Councillors and the Mayor."
The second award was for the Outstanding Contribution of £2000 made by the group to British Lung Foundation Projects within the year. Congratulations everyone and thank you for your generosity!
Talent in the group!
Joy Gillett (being interviewed in the photo below), a member of BE Banbury has written a poem for the local hospital radio (Radio Horton), which they will be broadcasted regularly along with contact details for the group. What a great idea! We like it so much that we thought that we would share it with you as well!
Being breathless is bad enough
Don't be lonely too
Come along and join us
There is lots that we can do
We meet each month
Go on trips and such
Making friends who care
And who keep in touch
Although life can be bleak
With Breathe Easy you are not alone
Someone will always be there for you
If you just pick up the phone
We all need social interaction
Some good old-fashioned fun
So come along
And see what can be done
We will point you in the direction
Of support and advice
Also you will find that
Our groups are very nice
Sometimes if you are a carer
And you really need a break
It will be a good move
You can make
If you have a computer
Well now we are on the web
So you can always contact us
There instead
For more information or if you are interested in joining us at a meeting, then please contact Laura on 020 7688 5594.
