INCONTACT

The main aim of Incontact is to give support to people who have bladder and bowel problems, and to increase public awareness about incontinence.

We achieved what was in effect a re-launch at the Annual Conference of the Association for Continence Advice in April 1998. There was tremendous interest in our work and our views, particularly through the insights that consumers bring to the whole issue of incontinence. We also used this occasion to introduce our Continence Education Pack and to formally celebrate the first anniversary of the Furness Incontact Support Group.

A steady stream of new membership applications from individuals who are consumers, carers or professionals has been received, as well as a great number of letters and telephone calls asking for help. Many of our members have been prepared to speak to the media as we strive to break down "the last taboo" and make the public and key people more aware of the effect incontinence has on relationships and our whole quality of life.

In September 1997, Vice-Chair, Mandy Wells attended the International Continence Society Annual Meeting in Japan courtesy of SCA Hygiene Products and was able to report back to members on advances in continence care world-wide.

Staff member Olive Leonard moved on to new challenges at the end of 1997, so our Education Officer, Jolyon Rose effectively took on both roles to bridge the gap. In March 1998, we were delighted to appoint Melanie Derbyshire as our new Development Officer - with 15 years' experience in fund-raising and communications in the voluntary sector she has rapidly made her presence felt!

Copies of the Middlesex Report, our comprehensive national postal survey to collect information about the current state of continence services, are being made available to the NHS Executive and to the Chief Executives of Health Authorities, advising them of our disappointing findings, asking for their active support in raising standards of continence care, and encouraging them to make sure the issues are kept high on the political agenda.

Incontact has continued to have regular meetings with other affiliated organisations of the Continence Foundation. In addition, six of our members took part in an ACA training day focusing on developing and honing the skills needed to deal with the media. This day was much enjoyed and very useful. We are also involved in the arrangements for the annual 'Continence Awareness Campaign' co-ordinated by the Continence Foundation

A new logo design and corporate identity for the charity have now been adopted. A new membership leaflet has been published as well as a new style of newsletter - News & Views. We are grateful to Pharmacia and Upjohn for generously sponsoring both the spring newsletter and a portable exhibition stand promoting Incontact. The latter is a tremendous boost to our profile-raising activity and is sure to attract much favourable attention for Incontact over the coming year.

As we approach our tenth anniversary, there is a renewed sense of purpose at Incontact. In 1998/99 we will be welcoming more consumer members to the Executive Committee, making the most of all the profile- and fund-raising opportunities available to us, and planning activities and holding events to mark our tenth anniversary in a fitting way. Incontact is, after all, first and foremost a consumer-orientated organisation working hard on behalf of its members.

Colin McLean