“Towards a new Strategy” Options for the Post Polio Support Group Keelin O’Reilly & Associates
Dec 17, 2015
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
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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 DevelopmentMANAGEMENT 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 DevelopmentBENEFITS / 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