ANNUAL BRANCH REPORT (presented to the AGM 2008)
by Janet Dewes, Chair, Welsh Branch
I am happy to report a wide and varied programme of events since our last AGM, in October 2007. These events have, on the whole, been very well attended, and I feel that the service provided by ACAMH to the caring professions is widely appreciated and well valued.
Our whole-day conference, last November, was presented by international expert, Professor Mary Dozier, who gave day-long presentation on research which she is carrying out on Attachment and Biobehavioural Catchup. This work is investigating how young foster children cope with early adversity, and how their foster parents can be helped to form strong bonds of attachment with them. Professor Dozier was engaged by the Association to speak at all three Celtic branches on three consecutive days, and gave a memorable presentation which was well reviewed in The Bridge.
The next meeting, Fathers and Domestic Violence, had to sadly be postponed, as the speaker, Mark Hendy, suffered an unfortunate accident a day or two previously, shattering his shoulder. This meeting has been postponed until May 2009.
Another full day conference was held in May, when Dr Jaume Morey-Canellas, who previously worked widely in Child and Adolescent Mental Health in South Wales, brought a team to Cardiff. He and his team work at St Andrew's Hospital, Northampton, and they gave us a detailed overview of the interventions they use with Children and Adolescents with hearing Disabilities and ASD. The other half-day meetings held so far this year have been, 'Playtherapy with Children and their Families', presented by Lisa Waycott, Playtherapist, in June, and 'Tuning into Babies', held today, by Dr Shirley Gracias, Consultant Psychiatrist with Avon and Wiltshire.
A final whole day conference, given by national researchers into dyslexia, is to be held on Friday 21st November, and it is anticipated that this will be very well attended.
In addition, Steffan Davies was able to attend both the Emmanuel Miller Lecture and Day Conference, on Attachment; and the Annual Jack Tizard Lecture and Day Conference on Mental Health Services for Adolescents. Further information on the contents of these lectures is available if required.
During this last year, David Cottrell, Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Leeds, has taken over as the new Chair of ACAM. He feels strongly that it is time to develop a new strategy for the future, and is very keen for all members of the Association to be involved in thinking about future strategy. Discussions were held at local levels, and Janet Dewes and Jean Thomsett travelled to London in April to a joint meeting of Board and Branch representatives to discuss these in detail and to finalise new strategies.
The new strategic plan will include
Implementation of an ethical investment policy and better defined treasury management systems.
Encouragement of less active branches and encouragement to adopt branch partnerships.
Need to adapt to accommodate emerging requirements, such as internet 'open access' for ACAMH journals.
The social side has not been neglected. A very successful late Christmas Dinner was held at Junction 28 on 22nd February, and a lunch party was held at the Chairperson's house on 31st August.
We maintain a close working relationship with our Scottish Branch, and receive continuous help and support from the Scottish Office, namely Rosemary Mackenzie and her helper, Sharon.
I would like to conclude by acknowledging the help and support of all committee members, but in particular, that of our secretary, Jean Thomsett, who puts a huge amount of effort into the smooth running of this branch, for which I am deeply grateful.
For all enquiries please contact:
Ms Jean Tomsett or Judith Hodge
c/o The Harvey Jones Adolescent Unit
Velendre Road
Whitchurch
CARDIFF
Tel: 02920 336302
Alternatively please contact Martin Pratt at the ACAMH Head Office on 02074037458 or by
email
