Health and Social Care around the OU
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Health and Social Care - OU Community Online
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For those working in, studying, or with an interest in, Health and Social Care
Food waste no banana skin for Shane
A vegetarian chef is cooking up a storm thanks in part to an Open University course called Understanding Human Nutrition. 
Shane Jordan is the 26-year-old head chef at the Arc Café in Bristol, where he is attracting diners – and rave reviews – for his ‘waste not want not’ style of cooking, along with innovative recipes and techniques.
His vegan and vegetarian dishes use unusual ingredients such as cauliflower stalks and potato skins, the ingredients that most chefs simply throw away.
His biggest success to date has been a banana curry, which features lightly sautéed banana – skins and all – in turmeric and paprika spices
After completing an OU course in humanities some time ago, Mr Jordan studied human nutrition last year, funding it through a part time job.
He said: “I liked how flexible the courses were, and have learned so much about myself while studying.
“Although the humanities taught me about philosophy and poetry, the Human Nutrition has probably played the biggest part in my life, teaching me about our bodies and our relationships with food. I am a vegetarian chef, so learning about the nutritional side of food really fascinated me.
“Since I passed the course, I have opened my mind to the social problems of nutrition in low income families, and looked at alternative replacements for products such as refined white sugar, refined salt and meat products. I am very interested in food waste issues, and want to be able to help improve the health of children from low income families.”
Shane, who has worked as a chef for the last three years, has become a passionate campaigner against food waste, and hopes his style of cooking will minimise the amount of waste produced by restaurants, which in turn cuts down on landfill, reduces rat problems and saves money.
The inspiration for his OU course and chef work came when he was volunteering with Bristol's branch of FoodCycle last year. He helped provide free meals to the public at the Easton Community Centre.
He aims to promote his ideas at food festivals and school visits, and was a guest chef in the junior Ready Steady Cook at this year’s annual VegFest UK in Brighton, where he was able to create a new level of awareness and understanding among young people.
In the future, Shane hopes to continue his studies and front health campaigns involving young people.
(3 votes)
A vegetarian chef is cooking up a storm thanks in part to an Open University course called Understanding Human Nutrition. Shane Jordan is the 26-year-old head chef at the Arc Café in Bristol, where he is attracting diners – and rave reviews – for his ‘waste not want not’ style of cooking, along with innovative recipes and techniques. His ...
Student research into ageing, poverty and volcanoes tops the bill at the OU
Postgraduate research projects which analyse the hairs on fruit fly wings to learn about human ageing, predict the length of volcano eruptions and investigate the influence of imported tractors on reducing poverty in Africa, were among the winners at the Open University Postgraduate Research Poster Competition held in June.
Councillor Catriona Morris, Mayor of Milton Keynes, presented the winners of the competition with their prizes. Seven of the prize winners will represent the University at the Vitae Midlands Hub competition. The Mayor was very impressed with the diversity of research topics and the standard of the presentations. She was particularly interested in Alex Rowbotham’s work investigating local communities’ involvement in the design of the proposed waterway that will link Milton Keynes and Bedford.
The winners going on to compete in the Midlands Hub final on Thursday 12 July at the Herbert Art Gallery in Coventry are:
Arts
Alice Smalley, who used GIS to determine where crimes reported in the C19th illustrated Police News actually took place.
Engineering/Mathematics & Statistics/Computing
Andrew Agyei-Holmes, who is exploring the value of importing western and eastern tractors in his project, Capital Goods in the Agricultural Sector and Poverty Reduction in Tanzania
Science
Anthony Davenport, who is paving the way for smaller, faster computers through the use of graphene in his project, Enhancing the Gap
Pratima Chennuri, who used Fruit Flies to investigate the Role of DNA Damage in Ageing
Marcus Lohr, who presented research into Variable Stars and Stellar Mergers
Leanne Gunn, who developed a new system for forecasting model eruption durations in her project, The Duration of Icelandic Volcanic Eruptions.
Social Sciences
Clare Mumford, who presented on finding a voice in business in her project, Voice and silence in collaborative project work
Other category winners were:
Arts
Alice Smalley, who used GIS to determine where crimes reported in the C19th illustrated Police News actually took place.
Engineering/Mathematics & Statistics/Computing
Andrew Agyei-Holmes, who is exploring the value of importing western and eastern tractors in his project, Capital Goods in the Agricultural Sector and Poverty Reduction in Tanzania
Social Sciences
Clare Mumford, who presented on finding a voice in business in her project, Voice and silence in collaborative project work.
Science
Anthony Davenport, who is paving the way for smaller, faster computers through the use of graphene in his project, Enhancing the Gap.
Other winners were:
Natalie Canning in Social Sciences won the Open University Students Association prize for her research into What factors contribute to children’s empowerment in child initiated social play?
Loes Koorenhof in Life Science for her research Characterising the Neuro-Physiology of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Now in its seventh year the Postgraduate Poster Competition is going from strength to strength, with over 51 students showcasing their research.
As Head Judge, Dr Verina Waights, explained ‘this competition prepares students to share their research ideas with the general public – a must for researchers in the 21st century”.
Find out more:
(5 votes)
Postgraduate research projects which analyse the hairs on fruit fly wings to learn about human ageing, predict the length of volcano eruptions and investigate the influence of imported tractors on reducing poverty in Africa, were among the winners at the Open University Postgraduate Research Poster Competition held in June. Councillor Catriona Morris, Mayor of Milton Keynes, ...
OU videos reveal the science behind the bike
A specially-shot series of videos revealing how science and technology have revolutionised the sport of cycling is set to make tracks on the web, in time for the start of the Tour de France this weekend and London 2012. 
Produced by The Open University, The Science Behind the Bike is a four-part series which takes a detailed look at the what, why and how of cycling and racing.
Team GB physiologists and cycle design experts help explain the reason why some cyclists can go faster than others and the physiological factors involved in bike riding. Shot in various locations - including a wind tunnel and a velodrome - the videos also feature interviews with Olympic gold-medallists Chris Boardman and Rebecca Romero, and Paralympian gold-medallist Sarah Storey.
The series includes footage and discussion about the legendary Hour Record (the record for the longest distance cycled in one hour) with input from Chris Boardman, the current holder of the World Hour Record. Chris talks about the importance of aerodynamics and rider position and fellow cycling legend Graeme Obree contributes with input about the innovations in cycling.
The complete series covers 35 minutes of footage and each part is 8-9 minutes long and is available on OpenLearn.
The material – also available on iTunes U and YouTube channels - were produced to support the Open University module S172 Sport: the science behind the medals.
Why not visit the OpenLearn's Olympic portal and try out Olympize me.
Have you ever wondered which sport you're most physically suited to? Play this interactive game to find out if you’ve got what it takes physically, psychologically and socially to make it to the podium at the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics.
(2 votes)
A specially-shot series of videos revealing how science and technology have revolutionised the sport of cycling is set to make tracks on the web, in time for the start of the Tour de France this weekend and London 2012. Produced by The Open University, The Science Behind the Bike is a four-part series which takes a detailed look at the what, why and how of cycling and ...
K101 October 2012
Hi all,
I registered for the K101 October course about a week ago, Just wondering who else is going to be starting this course with me.
Hi all, I registered for the K101 October course about a week ago, Just wondering who else is going to be starting this course with me.
Professor Featherstone to be expert speaker at conference
The OU's Professor, Social Care: Brid Featherstone has top billing (expert, lead speaker) in a conference organised by Community Care on engaging fathers in child protection.
The conference which takes place on 13 June in London will provide practitioners with the skills they require to develop a ‘father friendly’ approach within child protection. It will examine why, and how paternal relatives should and can be engaged in services, even when domestic violence has been evidenced by a current or former partner.
Professor Featherstone will explore the following issues:
- The research evidence on the causes and some of the consequences on not engaging fathers in cases where there are child protection concerns;
- The findings from a six-year research project called Fathers Matter that she was involved in particularly in relation to how to work with fathers where domestic violence is an issue;
- The encouraging findings from an evaluation of a training programme (led by Cardiff University which Prof Featherstone was involved in) aimed at improving practitioner engagement with fathers.
Find out more:
The OU's Professor, Social Care: Brid Featherstone has top billing (expert, lead speaker) in a conference organised by Community Care on engaging fathers in child protection. The conference which takes place on 13 June in London will provide practitioners with the skills they require to develop a ‘father friendly’ approach within child protection. It will examine why, and ...
OU launches ‘ways to pay’ video for new part-time students in England
Recent research showed that 71 per cent of people considering access to Higher Education in England are either unsure or feel they don’t have enough information about the study funding options available to them*.
The video takes potential students on a whistle-stop tour through the Government’s tuition fee loans, financial support for those with low incomes, the OU’s own loan system OUSBA, employer sponsorship and paying upfront.
Bev Stewart, Director, Student Recruitment and Financial Support, says: “There is a perception that the increase in university fees has made university study inaccessible for many, but this isn’t the case. There is a wide range of payment options for new part-time students which means cost shouldn’t be a barrier to gaining a university-level education.”
How you can help spread the word
The OU is encouraging members of its community to spread the word about this video to help new students in England understand the funding options available to them, should they decide to take up OU study. You can share this link on your blogs, Facebook and Google+ pages and by sharing the message below on Twitter.
Find out more:
*Research commissioned by The Open University in April 2012 showed that 71 per cent of people interested in entering Higher Education in England were either unsure or felt they didn’t have enough information around the funding options available to them. The research was undertaken by DJS Research on behalf of The Open University. Sample: 1,590 respondents who were interested in studying at university in the next five years.
The OU has released a video to highlight the different ways new students in England can pay for part-time study from September 2012, when higher education funding changes come into effect. And you’re being invited to help spread the word! Recent research showed that 71 per cent of people considering access to Higher Education in England are either unsure or feel they ...
OU research student studies how cells move around the body
An OU postgraduate research student at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research has provided new insights into how biological cells move around.
Dr Praveen Kumar Suraneni, whose PhD research has just been published in the online issue of the Journal of Cell Biology, studied cell motility, a complex and integrated process, which when gone awry, can lead to various disease conditions such as cancer metastasis, birth defects, cardiovascular disease and compromised immune function.
To determine whether disrupting the Arp2/3 complex alters cell movement, the researchers tested the cells’ ability to heal a wound. They found that without the Arp2/3 complex, the cells could still move but did not steer a course well.
“The study demonstrates the importance of the Arp2/3 complex for lamellipodia formation,” said Praveen. “We found that cells can still move if they don’t have lamellipodia. However, they cannot maintain a straight course and end up wandering so this affects target-oriented migration of these cells toward the site of injury or wounds.”
Researchers at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research who worked on this project with Praveen are Dr Boris Rubinstein, Dr Rong Li, Dr Jay Unruh and Dr Michael Durnin. The Stowers Institute for Medical Research is a non-profit, basic biomedical research organisation dedicated to improving human health by studying the fundamental processes of life. Jim Stowers, founder of American Century Investments, and his wife Virginia opened the Institute in 2000. Since then, the Institute has spent over 900 million dollars in pursuit of its mission.
The Open University registers postgraduate research students at Affiliated Research Centres (ARCs) all over the world. These are organisations, which have entered into an agreement with the University to register students for an Open University research degree award. See here for further information and a full list of ARCs.
An OU postgraduate research student at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research has provided new insights into how biological cells move around. Dr Praveen Kumar Suraneni, whose PhD research has just been published in the online issue of the Journal of Cell Biology, studied cell motility, a complex and integrated process, which when gone awry, can lead to various disease conditions such ...
Research gives impetus to parent power
Traditionally, disabled children in these countries have been excluded from mainstream school and social activities, and old attitudes still persist despite official support for more inclusive policies.
Professor Monica Dowling and Dr Majda Bećirević, of the OU's faculty of Health and Social Care, used participative qualitative methodology to examine the attitudes of parents of disabled children in both countries to their treatment by the medical, educational, social service and benefit systems.
While there were examples of good practice, parents reported many negative experiences. One mother described being reduced to tears after she was told by a doctor "we used to let children like this die".
The research culminated in workshops (see picture), in Sarajevo and Zagreb, bringing together parents with policy makers and professionals to make recommendations for improvements to the system.
The researchers conclude: "In essence, to better support families with children with disabilities, government organisations do not necessarily need to make major revisions in policies or increase in costing. Efforts need to be directed towards improvements in policy implementation and service delivery."
Parent activism and parents' groups are also playing an important role in changing the system, they say.
Their report adds that "participatory research is a good way for parents to identify and document their concerns and put forward suggestions for change".
It quotes a mother in Croatia who commented: "They will better listen to us if we have a scientific approach, if we come out with data and analysis. In that case we can say it is not only the needs of my child, but this is what many of us parents want.’
More information
The study: Parents' participation in the social inclusion of children with disabilities in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia will be published by the Open Society Foundation.
You can read an abstract and request a copy of the study (available in English, Croat and Bosnian) from the authors on Open Research Online here.
Open University researchers have been working with parents in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in Croatia to improve conditions for children with disabilities and their families. Traditionally, disabled children in these countries have been excluded from mainstream school and social activities, and old attitudes still persist despite official support for more inclusive ...
Dame Mary Peters becomes an Honorary Doctorate of The Open University
John D’Arcy, Director of The Open University in Ireland delivered the citation on behalf of the University. In presenting the award of Doctor of the University, he said:
“Mary Peters' story is one of belief, determination, achievement, excellence and contribution within, but also beyond the world of sport and one which continues to inspire people of all ages".
He reminded the audience of the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich when Mary Peters ascended to global status as an athlete by winning Olympic Gold in the women's penthalon, beating the local favourite Heidi Rosendahl in one of sport's most gripping and tense battles.
He added that the context of Mary's golden moment cannot be forgotten. The 1970s in Northern Ireland's history was a turbulent, traumatic and unfortunately tragic time. However, the contribution of sports people, artists and musicians provided a much-needed dose of normality. The achievements of Mary Peters, George Best, Alex Higgins and Van Morrison brought a sense of pride, belief and aspiration to Northern Ireland which has led to a strong foundation for countless individuals to aspire, achieve and succeed.
As we look forward to the London Olympics in 2012, we should not be surprised that Mary has been appointed as one of Team GB's 2012 ambassadors in the company of Steve Redgrave, Kelly Holmes and Denise Lewis. What better way to celebrate the 40th anniversary of her own Gold Medal win. “
On receiving the award, Dame Mary Peters said: “I am delighted and extremely honoured to receive this award from The Open University in this Olympic year. The Open University has removed the barriers that have prevented many people from studying at university, enabling them to realise their ambitions and fulfil their potential.”
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(5 votes)
Olympic gold medallist, Dame Mary Peters has received an honorary degree for her contribution to Public Services in Belfast on 19 May. John D’Arcy, Director of The Open University in Ireland delivered the citation on behalf of the University. In presenting the award of Doctor of the University, he said: “Mary Peters' story is one of belief, ...
Helping clinicians delivering end-of-life care...
Lindsay Turton is an OU associate lecturer and Macmillan Lead Nurse for Palliative Care for Hull and East Riding. “Our student cohort can relate the course materials to their clinical practice and to real patients. It’s this experience that informs the students’ study. It’s really good to see that light bulb moment when the students realise the theory they’ve learned really fits with what they are doing in their work,” she says. Here she explains more about her work with the OU’s death and dying course for clinicians delivering end-of-life care in a range of services across the Hull and East Riding…
“It’s an excellent way for clinicians to develop in their skills, and by undertaking this course clinicians have the opportunity to explore the theories around death and dying and apply them to their own practice.
“I am an Open University Associate Lecturer along with my colleague Dawn Robinson, Macmillan Clinical Nurse Specialist, delivering the OU Death and Dying Course in a unique collaboration between the NHS and the Open University.
“As part of our unique approach to delivery of the course we have our own cohort of students so rather than all learning individually we have organised it so they are all learning together. We’ve had in the past students from community hospitals, nannies from children’s units, hospice nurses and of course community team nurses.
"We bring them together for four tutorial days and they each bring their own experience to their learning, which not only helps them, but the cross fertilisation of thinking means you can see them all learning from each other. The networking and group work at the tutorial days also encourages greater understanding of the different perspectives of staff in many different care delivery settings.
“It’s a very personal approach. We actively recruit through the NHS managers who have identified end of life /palliative care as a desired course within the professional development process and are also approached directly by interested clinicians who work with people who have completed the course and recommended it.
“Management support is an essential element and the NHS organisations commit to the four tutorial days for their staff. Funding currently comes from the Strategic Health Authority.
“We all work within the Hull and East Riding, and our students hand it in their assignments directly to Dawn and myself rather than send it electronically. The students can ring us either in work or out of work if they are struggling or need support. We mark the assignments together and our marking and feedback is monitored through the OU monitor system where we have been consistently praised for the quality of our feedback over 10 years of delivering the course.
“Our student cohort can relate the course materials to their clinical practice and to real patients. It’s this experience that informs the students’ study. It’s really good to see that light bulb moment when the students realise the theory they’ve learned really fits with what they are doing in their work.
“OU study also teaches people to take time out to examine what they are doing. The Death and dying module helps them reflect on their practice and to see how they can work more effectively, it also boosts their confidence by making them appreciate sometimes how well they are doing in practice. This can in turn impact on delivery of care which potentially improves how we do our work – and in end-of-life care, you do only have one chance to get it right.
“An Open University course in the workplace is good for everyone. It is the perfect way for our trusts to develop their staff. Time out of work is minimal – our students had four taught days. The financial and educational outcomes for the student and the employer are excellent. The employer has an efficient workforce that improves skills and learns to analyse how it makes the maximum contribution, and the staff gain knowledge, and confidence.”
Find out more:
(3 votes)
Lindsay Turton is an OU associate lecturer and Macmillan Lead Nurse for Palliative Care for Hull and East Riding. “Our student cohort can relate the course materials to their clinical practice and to real patients. It’s this experience that informs the students’ study. It’s really good to see that light bulb moment when the students realise the theory they’ve ...
Thinking of training for a career in nursing?
“Running a successful adult learning programme is all about taking a non-judgemental view, because this is not about the qualifications they’ve got, but about their potential,” says Jerry Masterson, practice learning facilitator at Leeds Teaching Hospital’s NHS Trust. Jerry recruits staff onto the OU’s pre-registration nursing programme and explains how students are given the support they need to succeed and how he sees, first hand, the OU changing people’s lives. “I’m a believer!” he says…
“My job is all about helping staff to fulfil their potential. I am the employer representative on the Open University’s pre-registration nursing programme, which our Trust has been running since 2006, and I recruit students and ensure they get the best support they can to succeed.
“The Strategic Health Authority pays for the students to study 26 hours a week for the four-year duration of the course. They are assigned a tutor and for the first three months from September to December much of this is paid study leave, so they will be at home developing their study skills. However, in the New Year it becomes much more clinical and much of their study time is spent in practice on a ward. Of course, most of the people on pre-registration nursing courses are already healthcare support workers so they are in familiar surroundings.
“We have 48 students on the course at the moment but because they do come into it so well prepared we only get about one problem student a year. When they’ve completed the course they can register as an adult nurse and apply for qualified nursing status. We can’t guarantee them a job on the ward they trained on but we find that, like in most degree programmes, they tend to specialise as they continue so their fields of interest change.
“The Open University is an excellent way to learn. I’m a believer! My dad could remember the birth of the OU in the 1960s and talked about its optimism and idealism, and I fully believe in that. There are so many people in middle age who are victims of the old 11-plus and the school system, who weren’t given the opportunity to learn, do exams and fulfil their potential. But the OU gave them those opportunities, made them realise they really could achieve great things and made them believe in themselves.”
Find out more:
(4 votes)
“Running a successful adult learning programme is all about taking a non-judgemental view, because this is not about the qualifications they’ve got, but about their potential,” says Jerry Masterson, practice learning facilitator at Leeds Teaching Hospital’s NHS Trust. Jerry recruits staff onto the OU’s pre-registration nursing programme and explains how students ...
Tapping into the talent of healthcare support workers...
Helen Wisdom, employer representative, NHS Shetland, explains why the OU’s pre-registration nursing programme helps tap into the talent of healthcare support workers and develop them without taking them away from their family commitments on the island…
“The real benefit of the programme,” she says, “ is that it allows us to offer access to a pre-registration nursing programme on the island, whilst maintaining links with the OU as a recognised institute for nursing education and development.
“My job is to facilitate students’ learning, ensure appropriate placements and organise mentors for the students among the existing registered nurses.
“The Scottish government funds the places – we advertise the programme among our staff and once we know the number of applicants we can take them through the application process.
'This is a life-changing opportunity that maximises people’s potential by helping them develop personally and progress professionally'
“The students have to fulfil rigorous admission criteria to ensure they are fully prepared to go to this level of study. If accepted they study for 26 hours per week – sometimes it will be studying theory at home, or sometimes in clinical practice – and do their ‘day job’ the rest of the time. We have a Programme Tutor who is employed by The Open University and helps the students complete the portfolios of evidence they need. The quality of the course materials is excellent – the whole programme is really well organised.
“I liaise with the staff tutor at the OU and link with my Director of Nursing to help the programme run smoothly. Our mentors and senior charge nurses have been very supportive in making the programme a success.
“We started the programme back in 2004 and of those who have qualified since, some are now at Band 6 level and many have gone on to do degree level study. This is a life-changing opportunity that maximises people’s potential by helping them develop personally and progress professionally. The OU’s pre-registration nursing programme is an excellent and effective way for us to support professional development for our staff, it works out well for everyone.”
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(4 votes)
Helen Wisdom, employer representative, NHS Shetland, explains why the OU’s pre-registration nursing programme helps tap into the talent of healthcare support workers and develop them without taking them away from their family commitments on the island… “The real benefit of the programme,” she says, “ is that it allows us to offer access to a pre-registration ...
Pre-registration nursing course is a 'dream come true' for healthcare assistants in remote areas
The OU’s pre-registration nursing course has been described as a “dream come true” for health care assistants wanting to train as nurses in remote areas. Often faced with having to relocate or travel to train in nursing, Pat Tyrrell, lead nurse at Argyll and Bute Community Health Partnership, in Scotland, explains why the distance learning aspect the OU offers is a perfect fit...
“The Open University’s pre-reg nursing course is a dream come true for health care assistants (HCAs) in an area as remote as ours,” says Pat. “We are in Argyll and Bute, where there have always been so many talented HCAs more than capable of becoming good nurses, but could not train to do so. Before we started working with the OU – about seven years ago – they would have had to travel to another part of Scotland for their training and placements; for many home commitments simply made that impossible.
“However, now it’s a different story. The distance learning aspect of the OU means our HCAs can learn while they are working locally and this has brought opportunities for so many people to achieve their ambition of becoming qualified nurses. Doing the OU’s pre-reg course is the only way that was possible – and of course it’s beneficial not only to the students but also for us, as we have so many more trained nurses!
“Because of the nature of the programme, our students need very supportive families. They are learning nursing skills but there is also an enormous amount of reflection and personal development. This course encourages you to challenge, to question practices and to realise that there are other ways to do things. It changes the way they think. Our students are aged from their 20s to their 40s and as you can imagine, for some people this is like opening a door to a whole new world and they can change – which obviously can put a lot of pressure on families. The students we take on need to be prepared for that change.
'People can study in their place of work which is beneficial for them and beneficial for the partnership'
“However, they get a lot of support from within the partnership, not least from nurses who have already gone through the programme and can help them as they develop.
“In the early days there was a little bit of concern in some areas as to how the programme would work, especially as people have historically had to leave the area to train. But it really has worked very successfully. People can study in their place of work which is beneficial for them and beneficial for the partnership.
“At the end of the course, we work very hard to find jobs for them all. We get qualified nurses and other staff can become programme tutors or course tutors, which helps them keep up to date. It’s a programme that develops everyone.”
Find out more:
(5 votes)
The OU’s pre-registration nursing course has been described as a “dream come true” for health care assistants wanting to train as nurses in remote areas. Often faced with having to relocate or travel to train in nursing, Pat Tyrrell, lead nurse at Argyll and Bute Community Health Partnership, in Scotland, explains why the distance learning aspect the OU offers is a perfect ...
Living with a shortened life expectancy (part three)
This is the third in a series of posts from ex-OU academic Dr Jill Reynolds on living with a shortened life expectancy. You can read the first and second post here.
What the statistics couldn't tell me was how long I actually have, or what the quality of my life will be at different points on this cancer journey. I wanted to have some kind of party, and while it might be nice to put off the timing of this, I might not actually be up to it if I left it too late. So I fixed on a date towards the end of March as giving space for me to get the three cycles of chemo over with, and time enough to let people know it was on. We planned to go and live in France for our next step, and enjoy more health-giving sunshine.
From the Folk Club I belong to, some years ago a number of us attended a kind of wake or celebration of the life of one of the members who died suddenly. It was a very warm and vibrant occasion, people gave tributes, spoke of memories, sang or played their instruments in honour of Bill. I thought at the time how much I would like something similar and what a pity it would seem not to be able to enjoy it in one's lifetime. So I planned a celebration of my own, that I hoped I would be able to attend. An old friend told me she thought people taking part might find this quite hard. Everyone else I spoke to reacted very positively, some pointing out that the most important consideration should be that I enjoy it.
Not all my close friends were able to attend, and all the contact with people spurred on sub-sets of get-togethers both before and after this event. These were all great occasions too, and some people used their inability to take part in the main celebration to deliver an accolade on what knowing me had meant to them; I tried to respond in kind. You know how each Christmas you get dozens of cards from people wishing the best for the new year and saying 'let's make it next year that we see each other'? I used to read these, and think, 'well, if I were to spend a week-end with each of them that would be 60 weekends committed'. In contrast, this year I must have seen hundreds of the people who mean a lot to me; while that's not everyone, it feels like a great achievement.
The celebration went wonderfully. People came long distances in order to join in, from Scotland, Yorkshire, Norfolk and from all parts of my life, people with whom I shared different enthusiasms and interests. Family, school friends, those I was close to at university, members of my cycling groups, folk club musicians and singers – a whole entourage of fabulous people. Below is one of the video extracts and more can be found on YouTube.
One friend, disappointed not to be able to be there in person, wrote a poem in my honour (look to your laurels Miss Joan Hunter Dunn!) and coached a mutual friend who was planning on coming in how it should be delivered. Edith Piaf was conjured up in 'Je ne regrette rien', the King Stone Rappers invaded with their sword sticks and did a rapper dance in the remarkably small space available, and a whole panoply of drunken intellectuals was invoked in 'The Philosophers' Song'. The exceptionally talented members of our folk club and elsewhere played and sang all sorts of terrific music, some penned by themselves.
People's competitive streaks became apparent as they focused on finding the answers to quiz questions all about myself - and had to talk to those who had known me at different periods in my life. The answer to 'In how many different countries has Jill visited the A&E department' (usually after falling off bicycle) turned into something of a movable feast as those present remembered places I'd now forgotten!
We sang and chatted for four hours - some people had to leave before they had a chance to perform and I was disappointed to learn that my brother had come ready to present 'The Cobbler's Song' but didn't get to do it.
It was a truly fabulous celebration for Dave and myself. Did some friends find it hard and was it like a wake where I was able to be present? I'm not sure - one friend explained later that she and her partner had left early because she was in a state where she could not stop crying. Another who I hadn't seen since learning that I have cancer needed to express how upset she was to hear it, and seemed unable to leave the subject alone. I became aware of the coded middle class ways we have of dealing with these sensitive matters. Are there conventions about how much it is okay to say and when? Often it's just a matter of a hug, a pat, a squeeze or a look that conveys that the other knows it's not business as usual.
So there wasn't a series of speeches about precisely how wonderful I was ... and that's probably no bad thing. We passed round a guest book in which people could write comments and there were some delightful ones. I also got a lot of cards, now installed in the same book. Dave's favourite had a picture of a glamorous 1920s woman in furs and JILL inserted in front of the words on the card: 'Queen of friggin' everything'!
(2 votes)
This is the third in a series of posts from ex-OU academic Dr Jill Reynolds on living with a shortened life expectancy. You can read the first and second post here. What the statistics couldn't tell me was how long I actually have, or what the quality of my life will be at different points on this cancer journey. I wanted to have some kind of party, and while it might be nice to put off the ...
Celebrate Nurses' Day: 12 May
The day first celebrated in 1965 is on the birthday of Florence Nightingale, who is regarded as the founder of nursing. A service will take place at Westminster Abbey on 12 May where a symbolic lamp is passes from one nurse to another, signifying the passing on of knowledge.
To find out more about some of the areas nurses work in, listen to extracts from the OU's Nursing qualifications in the OU's iTunes U:
- Living with visual Impairment
The video tracks on this album simulate what the world looks like to people with a range of visual impairments, and show good practice when acting as a sighted guide. The audio tracks offer personal perspectives from two people living with severe visual impairment. -
Mental Health: Lennox Castle
What was it like living and working in the largest mental deficiency hospital in Britain? And what changes led to its relatively recent closure? Professor Joanna Bornat of The Open University's Faculty of Health and Social Care explains why the case study was selected for study and unpicks some of the issues that emerge. - Looks at the ins-and-outs of family life and caring for children. It draws on interviews with a wide-ranging selection of professionals, from people who deal directly with children at nurseries or schools to those that help shape national policy.
Find out more:
(3 votes)
International Nurses' day takes place around the world and recognises the contribution nurses make in society. The day first celebrated in 1965 is on the birthday of Florence Nightingale, who is regarded as the founder of nursing. A service will take place at Westminster Abbey on 12 May where a symbolic lamp is passes from one nurse to another, ...
SK183 Understanding Human Nutrition
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Anyone starting SK183?
Rocio.
Hello, Anyone starting SK183? Rocio.
How do I tell friends I have cancer? (part two)
This is the second in a series of posts from ex-OU academic Dr Jill Reynolds on living with a shortened life expectancy. You can read the first post here.
Learning in mid-December that I have pancreatic cancer faced me with a number of problems, not least of which was how to let people know, and how much to tell them at this point. Dave, my husband, was with me of course when the phone went at 8.45am to tell me I should see the oncology consultant today, at a time I had been expecting to see the lymphoma specialist who had been so confident that my symptoms were due to lymphoma, a highly treatable condition.
I was preparing already to send people eChristmas cards, having wanted to wait until I had a diagnosis and some information about my condition. But I didn't at that point know anything about pancreatic cancer, and it was not until after my diagnosis appointment that I began to grasp the point that what I had was not at all a treatable condition, and that the best I could hope for some diminution of pain from symptoms as a result of 'palliative' chemotherapy, and perhaps an extra couple of months of life.
Some of my close friends and my brother were aware of my ongoing medical investigations and they rang that evening to find out what I'd heard. While it wasn't easy telling them, they were mostly prepared for some kind of important news and responded accordingly, so that felt okay. I just knew that I couldn't speak to anyone who had no idea I was unwell. I emailed a few further friends who were aware I had health worries. Dave and I decided to go to our house in France for Christmas: it seemed that my chemotherapy sessions would not start till the end of December and it might be hard for us to take time away from the UK once sessions were in full swing of one chemo blast per week and a consultative session in the fourth week.
Using the 'death threat' to get her company
Magically, two of my close women friends agreed to come with us for this week away. One had already paid regular visits with us; the other hadn't managed to find time yet to join us in France, and with black humour suggested that I had used an extreme ploy to ensure her company. People talked about the need to get away from everyday life, and I was not sure what might be different about being away from home, the ghastly diagnosis wouldn't change, but somehow it's true, it was different.
I still wanted to contact people I would normally be in touch with at this time of year. Email was a wonderful way to be able to do this. It gave the recipient the opportunity to take in the information while giving them time to respond. The European Commission calls for action to make e-technology more accessible for older people, and this sort of global communication seems a very important item for that agenda. People have their own connections with someone who has had cancer, and as we heard back some sad stories, we wondered whether there was an epidemic of cancer that meant everyone knew far more people who had it? One correspondent suggested that no, it may not have risen but now we are all much better informed about the states of health of our peers just because of the possibilities of instant and widespread communication.
Everyone responded in a way that was far more mature than I have ever managed at such times. In the past I've tended to block out such upsetting information, in some way distancing myself from the person concerned, saying to myself: 'I don't really know them that well, they will be getting a huge number of responses from people closer than me.' When my father died, aged 64 at a time when I was only 19 years old, while terribly upset, I comforted myself with the idea that since I was away at university, it was not like living at home and would not change my everyday life hugely. I was to learn over the years how wrong I was on this.
So I'm in no position to make judgements criticising the quality of people's responses. Any response, even 'I don't know what to say' in some way shares the emotion and the pain. There were some surprises, and some long delays on the part of those I had expected to hear from. I later learnt, at least from some of these, that they had felt so angry at the news, the unfairness of it all, that they had just had to 'go for a long walk on the beach' as one respondent put it.
I did try phoning one person, whose email I couldn't find, and this confirmed to me that face to face or telephone is not the best modes for me. What happens is that the other person is shocked and upset to hear my news, and this resonates between us. I get upset at the thought that they are so upset and the distress increases. With one or two friends who don't use email, I asked a mutual friend if they could pass on the information. In one case, my choice was rather insensitive: the person I asked to help was my target's ex-boyfriend from school and university days. I had presumed that they have maintained contact over time, but I later heard from the friend that she had been quite shocked to hear the voice, no longer recognisable to her, of someone she hadn't spoken to for years.
A very joyous and informal event
Deciding what to say to colleagues from work was difficult. At the Open University we work in quite small teams on different research or teaching projects. As I'd been off sick for some time, people had shifted around to cover the gap, and I therefore wasn't in that regular contact with anyone. I thought that rather than send a global email to all in the faculty, some of whom might hardly know me, I would select out everyone who I remembered working with closely in recent years. Of course I was bound to forget some important people that way. One ex-colleague and friend wondered how the faculty would cope with a farewell event - as she said 'They usually handle these things really well, but I'm not sure how they'll manage in these sad circumstances.' She offered to arrange a pub lunch so that anyone I wanted there could say goodbye. In the event, practically everyone I'd identified, colleagues and ex-colleagues, over 20 people all turned up, and it was a very joyous and informal event. I still worried about those who'd got left off my wish list, in case they felt ignored or rejected - but let's hope they understand.
Thanks for your comments. I look forward to hearing some more.
Jill Reynolds
30 April 2012
(6 votes)
This is the second in a series of posts from ex-OU academic Dr Jill Reynolds on living with a shortened life expectancy. You can read the first post here. Learning in mid-December that I have pancreatic cancer faced me with a number of problems, not least of which was how to let people know, and how much to tell them at this point. Dave, my husband, was with me of course when the phone went ...
It's Universities Week - get involved!
Universities including the OU have a high level of involvement in the Games or activity in relation to them. A recently published impact report shows just some of the great things which are being achieved.
Some famous Olympians including Open University Honorary Graduate; Dame Kelly Holmes share stories of their university days and say why they are supporting Universities week 2012.
The week will culminate in the BUCS Outdoor Athletics Championships, which will be held in the Olympic Stadium as part of the London Prepares series.
This is the third annual national campaign of its kind and it is supported by universities across the UK and a wide range of organisations including Podium, the National Union of Students (NUS), Research Councils UK, GuildHE, the Universities Marketing Forum, Higher Education Funding Council for England and many more. The campaign is being coordinated by Universities UK and British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS).
Find out more:
- Join and share your comments in the Universities week 2012 group
- Are you involved in the Olympics? - volunteering then tell us more in the Olympics group
- What kind of sport would you do in the Olympics? try Olympisize me on OpenLearn
- Study a sports course with the OU
Picture credit: SportsBusiness' photostream
(3 votes)
Universities Week 2012 (30 April–7 May) aims to increase public awareness of the wide and varied role of the UK’s universities. The theme this year is the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Universities including the OU have a high level of involvement in the Games or activity in relation to them. A recently published impact report shows just some of the ...
Professor Helen King on ancient medicine and the 'flashing midwife'
In this video Helen King, Professor of Classical Studies at the OU, talks to Documentally about ancient medicine and why Gladiator is one of her favourite films.
And here, in Classics Confidential, Professor King talks about the fascinating ancient story of Agnodike ‘the Flashing Midwife’, and its uses by medical practitioners in later eras.
Find out more:
- Helen is a contributor to the Wonders and Marvels blog, a place for specialists and non-specialists to revel in the stories of the past.
- More about Professor King
- Classical Studies - courses and qualifications
- Classical Studies - taster materials
(13 votes)
In this video Helen King, Professor of Classical Studies at the OU, talks to Documentally about ancient medicine and why Gladiator is one of her favourite films. And here, in Classics Confidential, Professor King talks about the fascinating ancient story of Agnodike ‘the Flashing Midwife’, and its uses by medical practitioners in later ...
OU researcher finds new way to treat cancer
An OU PhD graduate has found a new method to treat cancer which will lead to new immunotherapeutic strategies against the disease.
Roberta Zapposodi received her PhD at the Open University's graduation ceremony on Saturday 31 March 2012 at the Barbican, London.
Roberta studied whether the immune systems of cancer patients could be stimulated by certain vaccines on the grounds that the immune system is the most powerful weapon humans have against malignant cells. She studied a dendritic cell-based vaccine which was designed to stimulate the immune system of indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) patients to fight against their own tumours.
Roberta compared patient's pre and post-vaccination status and looked at key immune system indicators as a result of vaccination.
"I was particularly interested in understanding how this vaccine could re-educate the immune system of patients with indolent lymphona so that it recognises and eliminates tumour cells,” said Roberta.
Roberta’s findings on mechanisms underlying tumour immunity open up new treatment options for the therapy of indolent NHLs. This information also has potential relevance for the treatment of other haematological malignancies as well as solid tumours.
Notably, Roberta’s study on the characterisation of the antibody (Ab) response in vaccinated patients led to the serological discovery of HSP105 as a novel, valuable lymphoma target for monoclonal Ab (mAb) therapy.
“I found that the more aggressive B-cell lymphomas are, the higher levels of cell-surface HSP105 they express,” said Roberta. “In addition, its targeting with a specific Ab significantly impairs lymphoma growth in preclinical models.”
Roberta studied under the supervision of Dr Massimo Di Nicola (MD, Co ordinator of Cellular and Molecular Laboratory of the Medical Oncology Department, Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori of Milan, Italy) and Dr Karen Pulford (Emeritus University Reader in Immunodiagnostics, University of Oxford Nuffield Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK) for a PhD validated by the Open University.
“This discovery has a dual significance: on one hand it can help to improve the diagnosis of aggressive lymphomas, on the other, it may offer a new biotarget for a more specific treatment of these diseases,” said Dr Di Nicola.
Having finished her PhD, Roberta has now started a postdoctoral programme at the Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori of Milan where she is developing anti-HSP105 mAbs to be validated as a novel passive immunotherapy strategy for B-cell NHLs.
An abstract of Roberta’s PhD: Active and Adoptive Immunotherapy in Indolent Lymphoproliferative Diseases is available.
(7 votes)
An OU PhD graduate has found a new method to treat cancer which will lead to new immunotherapeutic strategies against the disease. Roberta Zapposodi received her PhD at the Open University's graduation ceremony on Saturday 31 March 2012 at the Barbican, London. Roberta studied whether the immune systems of cancer patients could be stimulated by certain vaccines on the grounds that ...
