Thanks for an inspirational 2 days Mon/Tue.  This was one of the most enlightening and useful training events I have been on - great speakers, great venue, great learning resources and great organisation (the fact that it ran so smoothly was no accident). Well done and thanks once again. I have already passed details of Dr Alexander Leff's online reading programme to 2 ladies who attend one of my classes each of whose husbands have had strokes and have difficulty with reading.

Tim Bird, REPs Level 4, BACR Phase IV Exercise instructor, GP referrals, Nutrition and Advice for Weight Management and Common Clinical Conditions (Loughborough Coll),Otago Exercise Instructor

I would like to say a huge thank you for the training you set up at the Royal Society of Medicine. I found the lectures very interesting and informative and obviously delivered by people at the top of their game. It was a pleasure to attend and it was a privilege to be at such a great venue. I am pleased that I have added my coaching skills to my fitness training skills as I feel that will help stroke survivors to overcome some of the mental barriers to moving forwards. I had a chat with Catherine and I hope to be able to attend the neuropsychology lectures that she is arranging in Beds/Herts as I feel that this will be of interest to me.

John Lingley, REPs Level 3. Professional NLP coach practitioner level.

So far on the course we have learnt how to get a hemiplegic person onto the floor and up again both with and without the aid of a chair. We have covered how to use an arm that has spasticity and about the benefits of all exercise for the Stroke survivor. We also learnt the importance of motivating the stroke survivor. We have also had lectures at the Royal Society of Medicine on how & why stroke occurs, imaging, interventions, Rehab, cognitive problems, speech & language problems, the importance and effect of good nutrition, the patients self efficacy and exercise training. We covered what services are on offer out there and the problems that may occur in day to day life after this life changing occurrence. I have come to see you at the ARNI Centre and got involved with working with a stroke survivor. Along with home study and the case study I hope to gain enough knowledge and experience to really help a stroke survivor on their road to recovery. In the long term I hope to take on and work with many stroke survivors in the community.

Suzina Williamson, Personal Fitness Trainer REPs Level 3 & Chair Based Exercise Instructor, Otago Exercise Instructor

Thank you for inviting me to attend the Stroke Rehabilitation Theory Course at the Royal Society of Medicine on 1st and 2nd March. I was truly impressed with the calibre of speakers their subject knowledge and the enthusiasm for their topics was enthralling,  keeping me interested and enthused for the duration of the course.
I learnt so much; the appreciation of how many stroke patients have to struggle through their daily tasks due to reduced mobility, impaired speech, lack of confidence and other peoples perception of their capabilities. I also learnt how many stroke survivors have to not only come to terms with their physical disabilities but also in some cases deal with the associated physiological issues such as depression and anxiety which can follow on as a result of their disabilities. However, it was also good to understand and balance the struggle that a lot of patients have with the fact that there is hope for all stroke patients regardless of the degree of their personal disability, and that with the right help and motivation, improvements in all aspects of their lives can be made. I look forward to continuing my learning and understanding in this field and helping out with raising the awareness of the causes and the help available to new and existing stroke sufferers.

Andy Palmer, Personal Trainer REPs 3, Fitness Instuctor British Military Fitness.

Here's my feedback from the theory course at the RSM. Firstly I thought the venue was of the highest standard and that the organisation of the event by yourself and your team was wonderful, from the moment I walked in through to the time I left I was treated at the highest level. All lectures and speakers had the knowledge which we all expected and were able to put this into a simple format to understand, they also knew the most basic rule of all "we can only listen as long as we have comfortable bottoms." The breaks and facilities together with there duration was perfect, this was also good to give us the chance to mingle/network I would ask for people to break out of their groups in which I noticed they formed in every break obviously with their friends and colleagues, I understand that this is where they feel most at ease but it doesn't help people to meet. The whole format of the two days was great and the way it was put together could not be praised enough and you made it very personal and welcoming whilst giving the information required and for the whole 2 days and follow up information I thank you. In all I strongly recommend this part of the course.

Scott Humphries, REPs Level 3, Physical Assessment and GP Referral L3,

Thank you and well done for all your hard work organizing the 2 day Theory course at the RSM. I thought it was the perfect venue for the occasion. We were lucky to have so many experts that gave up their time to share their knowledge with us. All of the lecturers put across their information clearly and with such enthusiasm. Many thanks!

Steve Pell: Personal Fitness Trainer REPs 3,, OCR Sports Massage, YMCA Personal Trainer Level 3, GP Referral Programme Consultant, 5th Dan Karate Instructor.

Thank you for day 3&4 of the course, excellent venue. The lectures and all the information that we were given was very helpful and now with everything that I have been reading I know that this is definitely the way forward for me: helping stroke survivors. Cannot fault the course so far… and looking forward to the next stage.  

Richard Riches, REPs Level 3, more details to follow
 
Thanks very much for the two days at the RSM it was great. My online feedback is:
I have had a couple of days excellent practical days with Tom and other personal trainers in the last two years plus two days at Middlesex University with both practical and theory study. I have now attended a further two days conference at The Royal Society of Medicine arranged by Tom, this was extremely informative with a great list of speakers dealing with all aspects of Stroke from cutting edge research to support groups. In addition to the notes that I took Tom has sent all the attendees copies of the speakers presentations that will be very useful for further learning. All the speakers were very approachable for further information and there was a chance to talk with other people involved in Stroke rehabilitation.

Chris Corcoran; Personal Trainer & Sports Massage Therapist, trading as Changing You, Diploma in Personal Training, Sports Massage, Wright Foundation GP Exercise Referral, Group Indoor Rowing & Group Indoor Cycling.

Thank you once again for an inspirational couple of days at Watford. It has been a privilege to meet a dedicated and passionate professional as you are and I know ARNI will go from strength to strength with your involvement. I found the Exercise after Stroke course to be informative and relevant for the continuation of care for stroke survivors returning to their community. The course content delivered by Dr Tom Balchin assisted by a patient, Tim, was a demonstration of practical application of real life experience and proven techniques developed by stroke survivors themselves and I found the experience both moving and inspiring. I look forward to continuing my course early next year and to working with the ARNI trust in my local community to help stroke survivors in any way I can. Adding to this in 2010, it was certainly a privilege to attend the Royal Society of Medicine to hear first hand from some of the most eminent Physicians, Physiotherapists and Lecturers as they guided us through the whole Stroke experience. From this we were able to see clearly, the role that Dr Tom Balchin has identified to us, to fill the missing piece of the care pathway once a Stroke survivor returns home to the community. My interest in particular is for younger stroke survivors and I shall dedicate time in my business to helping young survivors outside of the public sector.

Peter Moorhead: HSE Approved First Aid at Work Including CPR. L3 Exercise and Fitness Knowledge, Advanced Programming, Client Appraisal, Specialised Programming: Anti / Post Natal, Seniors, GP referral