OSCAR Birmingham

Today, our team were out as part of Winter is Coming event.

A great afternoon with amazing organisations and groups sharing and promoting how best to support citizens during the winter and with cost of living.

Half term fun continues with our young warriors taking part in health and smoothie making session. Learning about diet and healthy ingredients needed to help better manage their condition

This time our staff team, Ashanti and Stephane are over at in raising awareness of our work and as part of

Great turn out from pupils, teachers and community. Thank you to Sharan for inviting us to share what we do.

Thanks to Samantha for inviting us to hold a stall and talk about Sickle Cell this

Our Mentor Stephane supported Naomi to share her lived experiences of

Are you a patient or carer and want to join Midlands Sickle Cell, Thalassaemia Patient Voice Group which takes place on a quarterly basis?

Join us online for the next meeting on 23rd October. Contact [email protected] for more details.

We support AmazingBloodykidneys Campaign to help identify those at risk of developing chronic kidney disease.

Around 10% of people living with Sickle Cell Disorder are susceptible to kidney problems due reduced blood flow and oxygen.

It’s important to get tested for CKD and to manage kidney health.

Thank you to Dumebi and Tia for inviting us to talk about as part of blood drive event Edgbaston Campus.

Our Lead Mentor, Ashanti gave an overview of our work in the community, while Joslyn shared her lived experiences on the challenges and barriers faced while growing up with this invisible condition.

We were invited to talk about our work as part of Birmingham event

Thank you to Ifaat, Henna and Zack for organising such a great event and raising funds for OSCAR.

Special mention to our Well-being Officer Sonia for talking about our work and Ronald for sharing his experiences about living with

Come along to ‘Winter is Coming’ event on 31st October.

A range of free information and support available on the day from groups from applying to financial assistance, benefits, debt, housing advice, energy and cost of living support.

Be sure to visit us for advice on keeping well and warm with sickle cell this winter.

Today is World Mental Health Day and Theme is mental health in the workplace.

Frequent hospital admissions and absence from work can lead people with sickle cell to experience low self esteem, poor appetite, depression, anxiety and sleep disturbance.

It’s important that employers and colleagues create a safe and understanding work environment for the benefit of people, organisations, and communities. 

Useful tips for employers:

* Flexible working helps employees who experience severe anaemia.
* Stress is main trigger for illness and pain crisis.
* Avoid excessive monitoring, adjust targets and deadlines.
* Helping employees keep warm in workplace.
* Incorporate Workers Support Plan and talk about individual well-being.

Our team are over at Russell’s Hall Hopsital with Isabel Adams from BWC, raising awareness of Sickle Cell this Black History Month.

Thanks to Dudley Equalities and Diversity Group for inviting us.

Make a difference this Black History Month.

Demand for blood donors of Black African and Carribean ethnicity to treat patients with has risen.

Register to become a donor

Life with Sickle Cell – Aisha, the schoolgirl with dreams of being an artist and future Olympic gymnast

Meet Aisha a sporty, inquisitive, a ballerinaand has dreams of being a future Olympic Gymnast.

She loves art, is well spoken, kind,and generous. She is more than her medical condition of Sickle Cell.

The nine-year-old and her doting mother , Penda , shared her experiences to talk about life with the condition and the impact it has on family life, school and day -to- day activities.

Full article.

https://bwc.nhs.uk/news/life-with-sickle-cell-aisha-the-schoolgirl-with-dreams-of-being-an-artist-and-future-olympic-gymnast-13314

Fantastic news that our Well-Being Service will continue to be supported by

We’re making a huge difference to the lives of our community and people thanks to funding.

Fun and creative drop in for our peer group and warriors to connect and relax during
Thanks to Lise from for taking time out to speak to our group and .uk for arranging the arts session.

Self care, wellbeing and managing chronic pain is so important when living or caring for someone with

That’s why this we will be running holistic therapy and massages, every week, thanks to our amazing Therapist Viv Vivviv_empowers

Our Youth Mentor took time out this to donate his stem cells and plasma.

Stephane who has Ro blood subtype is also a regular donor for sickle cell patients.

He said, ‘I know people out there need this. I’m happy to support where I can’.

We delivered education to the amazing inclusion team at Boldmere School. Supporting the staff team to help pupils living with Sickle Cell and SEND. Keep up the great work👏🏽

Can you tell it’s Sickle Cell?

If someone has symptoms of a sickle cell pain crisis, they should seek urgent medical attention – this may be via A&E, 999 or their local haematology unit – and should be treated immediately.

Symptoms of pain crises include:

* Sign of fever or infections
* Low oxygen, tiredness, chest pain or shortness of breath
* Numbness and/or confusion
* Severe pain
* Headaches and Confusion
* Weakness or paralysis in face, arms or leg

Proud to support local grassroots football FC Elite Academy in Kingstanding. Well done FC Elite Panthers 👏🏽👏🏽

FC Elite Panthers
Well done Panthers you did amazing in the
FC Annual Tournament 2024 🏆



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A lovely day at Drayton Manor with carers and our warriors. A great way to sign off our summer programme. Well deserved rest for the team 💕

Ready, Steady, Cook- What a great day cheffing up some amazing and delicious foods inspired by different cultures.

Wonderful day Soho House Museum with families, working as a team, having fun and connecting with each other. Thanks to Legacy WM for looking after us.

A wonderful family day out at 🐑 The little warriors enjoyed feeding the animals and joined in on the farm activities. It was a fun day out for all of us! ☺️

A great first half to our Summer Programme. All about connecting with each other in harmony, having fun on activities, workshops while meeting new people and educating ourselves. Looking forward to the next few weeks! 🤗

A fun family movie day out at Star City to watch ‘Despicable Me 4’ 🎬🍿.
It was a pleasure seeing and having a catch-up with everyone who attended today!