With things constantly changing here at the centre, we thought we would introduce a news section, to keep you informed of all the things we think you would like to hear about. Check back here often and we will try to keep you as up to date as we can. Some of the items have been taken from our newsletters.

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And it’s not quite goodbye from Linda!

With a heavy heart we recently said goodbye to Linda Nash, Operations Manager at the Centre for over 11 years as she has retired, but as you will see from her message below it’s more Au Revoir!

Dear Friends,

I really can’t believe that 11 years of working at Bobath has come to an end.  I am really looking forward to having some time to do what I want, when I want, without watching the clock all the time and I certainly won’t miss   getting stuck on the M4 every morning!!

Most people who visit the centre comment on what a very special place this is and I like to think that I have played a small part in helping to develop it into the centre of excellence that it now is.  I have been privileged to work alongside the founder parents of Bobath, and watch, with them, whilst their dream has become a fantastic reality.

I would like to thank everyone involved in running the charity, including all our trustees and volunteers and, of course, all my work colleagues, past and present, who have supported me over the years in helping the centre to thrive.  Although there will be some difficult times ahead, I am certain that the centre will continue to go from strength to strength and I will watch with interest as it continues to develop.

So, this is not a final goodbye, more ‘au revoir’ as I will still continue to support Bobath in whatever way I can, because I know we really do make a difference to all the children we see; long may it continue.

Thank you to everyone for your good wishes, Linda x

Founding Parents recieve Queens Award

As we begin to commemorate their fifteenth birthday, we have more cause for celebration as our founder parents, Paul Lubas and Glenys Evans, receive the Queens Golden Jubilee Award for Voluntary Services.

Paul and Glenys believed that children in Wales deserved a specialist Bobath Centre of excellence that could really change and improve the quality of life for children with cerebral palsy. In 1990 they held talks with the Bobath Centre in London to gain support to set up a replica service in Wales. After gaining support from London, local families and businesses throughout Wales joined the pair in making their vision a reality and the Centre opened its doors to the first children in June 1992.

Since then, almost 500 children throughout Wales have benefited from specialist Bobath therapy - and the Centre has never looked back. When accepting the Award from the Duchess of Gloucester at Bobath's recent Crystal Birthday Ball Glenys explained: "We are both truly delighted to receive our Award, and feel honoured to receive it in recognition of the part we played in bringing a Bobath Centre to Wales. An Award of this calibre is something our Centre can be extremely proud of and we believe it shows a true representation of the high regard in which the Centre is now held throughout Wales. We are very grateful to those supporters who have taken the time to nominate us for this award."

Independent Living Skills Project

In December we celebrated the completion of our first ever "Independent Living Skills" project. This focused block of therapy was attended by 8 young people who came with very specific goals for their therapy session in mind!

For a week the Centre was a buzz of excitement as they worked together with their therapists to brush teeth, bake cakes, tie up hair, cook, tie shoe laces, count money and make cups of tea amongst other things. Each young person worked very hard to achieve their own particular skill - skills which make them more independent in the future. Congratulations to everyone on their hard work!

Barratt Homes adopts us as Charity of the Year

Leading housebuilder Barratt Homes has kicked off our fundraising year with a cheque for £750.00 from the company's annual dinner dance. Ann Harris and Margaret Batten from Barratt Homes presented the cheque to Fundraising Manager Gail Griffiths and have pledged further support during 2007.

Bobath wins 'Make it Happen' grant of £10,000

The Centre was recently fortunate enough to be awarded £10,000 from the Daily Mail and Nat West's 'Make it Happen' charity appeal. As one of only four Welsh charities to benefit from the appeal we were absolutely thrilled to be awarded such a large amount of money. Gail Griffiths, Fundraising Manager, says "I'd like to say a huge thank you to the Daily Mail, Royal Bank of Scotland and everyone who nominated us for this award. It's a wonderful start to the New Year and our fundraising, especially as this year it's our fifteenth birthday."

Help a South Wales Child £10,000 grant

This year Red Dragon Radio’s charity Help A South Wales Child (HASWC) is celebrating its 10th birthday. To mark this special anniversary they awarded a number of grants to local children’s charities and we are       delighted to be given £10,000 towards the purchase of a much needed van.

The van was needed to help us transport therapy equipment and fundraising items when we are out and about and we were so excited to take delivery.

We are extremely grateful to HASWC for the grant and their continued support of our work, we really can’t thank them enough.

Our appreciation also to Wessex Nissan for their support in purchasing the van.

We think the van looks tremendous with it’s Bobath logo. Please look out for the van & give a wave if you see us!