Burns Support Groups

Burns Family Group

The Burns family Group offers support and information for families who have a child that has experienced a burn or scald injury.

We feel it is important to provide an environment where families can meet together who have shared similar experiences and support each other in what can be an extremely difficult time for all involved.

The family group believe that sharing experiences along with fun activities can promote a positive outcome for all. The group host several 'get togethers' for the families throughout the year. These are events such as outings, picnics, seasonal parties, along with a sponsored walk. The money from the sponsorships' supports the 'Family Groups' funds.

Each year there is a National Burns Camp for children and young people between the ages of 8 to 18 years. The family group funds a few children from the group each year to enjoy a fun packed week with other children from other Burns Support Groups across the UK.

The Camp gives all its attendees a chance in meeting other children who have experienced a burn trauma and opportunities to promote in building on independence and confidence along with often making life long friends.

• Saturday in June 2012
  'Back by popular demand' sponsored walk followed by a visit to Battersea Park Zoo in conjuntion with the adult support group (details to be announced)
• Summer Camp 26 August–1st September 2012
• Visit to Fire Station (details to be announced)
• Jamboree Weekend (details to be announced)

More information

• Sharon Aylott, Hospital Play Specialist
  T: 020 3315 8611
  E: caw-tr.burnsfamilygroup@nhs.net

London Area Burns Adult Support Group

This group meets roughly 4 times a year at present. It alternates between meetings with invited speakers then time for discussion and social events (summer and end of year). The group is open to any adults (16+) who have experienced a burn of any sort and any size at any age and have been treated at any hospital. If bringing family or friends means that you would feel more comfortable coming along then they would also be very welcome.

We recognise that there is no direct link between the size, seriousness or site of a burn and the size of the impact it can have on people's lives. People tell us that it can be really valuable to meet others with similar (and different) experiences of burns. This group offers a unique opportunity to not only get support from but also to give support to other burns survivors.

It may also be possible to subsidise travel expenses for those who would like to come to the group but are unable to because of the costs. Please feel free to contact Lisa Williams on 020 3315 2504 or email lmwilliams@nhs.net to discuss this further and in confidence and also if you wish to join our database and be the first to receive information about all our support group events.

Upcoming meetings:

• Saturday 23 June 2012, 12-3 pm (NB this is a tentative date to be confirmed)
  Our annual summer gathering is held in conjunction with the Burns Family Group. Adult group members are invited to bring children, family and friends with them for a relaxed social event. We have a tentative date but are working on the final details and will be revealing all shortly!
• NEW DATE—Thursday 20 September 2012, 6:30–8pm
  Eva Danickova (Burn Care Advisor, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital Burns Service) will talk to us about her important new role in working with our major referrers—eg A&E departments—to improve knowledge of emergency burns assessment and treatment. She will talk to us about Burns Links: The Advisor's Role in Promoting Education and Active Communication between Services.
• Thursday 13 December 2012, 6:30–8pm
  End of year social gathering.

Our friends at Changing Faces have agreed to host our events again this year at their offices in central London. This venue offers a chance to meet with others in a relaxed environment away from the hospital or a noisy pub. As always the main aim is to provide a space in the London area to meet and socialise with people who have experienced some form of burn injury either directly or indirectly.

I would be very grateful if you could RSVP for the meetings so that I know roughly how many people to expect, can cater accordingly and provide a guest list to Changing Faces.

Please call Lisa Williams on 020 3315 2504 or email lmwilliams@nhs.net to confirm or if you have any questions. Changing Faces is based at The Squire Centre, 33–37 University St, London WC1E 6JN. Closest tubes are Euston, Warren Street and Euston Square.

For more info see their website at www.changingfaces.org.uk and for directions click here.

I really hope you will be able to join us and look forward to seeing you there.