BATLAA news
Barts Golf Society autumn meeting The Barts Golf Society held its autumn meeting at Ashridge Golf Club in Hertfordshire on Wednesday 3 October 2012. There was a good turnout with two new members: Jon Ireland (q Barts, 1983) and Nick Eynon-Lewis, Consultant ENT Surgeon. Despite a few showers the golfers had a very pleasant day with Ashridge proving a fair test. Martin Savage (q Barts, 1972), Emeritus Professor of Paediatric Endocrinology at Barts and London School of Medicine and Dentistry, won the handicap prize with 40 points and Hugh Maurice (q Barts, 1977), an Orthopaedic Consultant in East Surrey, won the scratch prize with 35 points. After a convivial lunch, the afternoon greensomes were won by Seamus Banim (q Barts, 1967), Cardiologist at Barts and The London NHS Trust, and Andy Gibbs (q The London, 1968),
an Orthopaedic Surgeon in Suffolk. The next meetings will be held at Berkshire Golf Club on Friday 28 June and at Ashridge Golf Club on Wednesday 25 September 2013. All medical and dental Barts and The London alumni are eligible to join, as well as all past and present “Barts
Health” medical and dental staff. For further information, contact Michael Wareing (q Barts, 1988), Consultant ENT Surgeon at St Bartholomew’s and The Royal London Hospitals, by email at mike.wareing@bartshealth.nhs.uk or telephone +44 (0)20 7935 1304.
25 years of the Griffin Community Trust
Griffin House (1st and 2nd floors) and Lansbury Lodge (Day Centre)
2013 marks the 25th anniversary of the Griffin Community Trust, which was set up by students from the Medical School in 1988. The original aims were two-fold: to forge links between dental and medical students in East London and local senior citizens, and to provide cost-effective accommodation for the students in return for volunteering with their elderly neighbours. The charity went on to raise
www.qmul.ac.uk/alumni/batlaa
£1m to build Griffin House in Poplar, East London, which opened in 1997 and the Griffin Community Trust continues to work to its original aims. Griffin House provides accommodation for 23 students of Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry. Shaftesbury Lodge, also located in Poplar and adjacent to Griffin House, provides sheltered housing for 32 elderly people. Students living at Griffin House each befriend an elderly resident whom they visit regularly. Lasting friendships are often formed between students and senior citizens, many of which continue long after students have graduated. In addition to the befriending scheme, our resident students regularly organise a variety of special events which the elderly are encouraged to attend. Events include flower arranging, afternoon tea at The Dorchester, bingo nights, ‘Ready, Steady, Cook!’ and the annual Garden Party. Many of these events take place in Shaftesbury Lodge where the elderly residents live. Others may be excursions such as trips to the theatre requiring transport to particular venues, but all events are arranged by the students and funded by the Griffin Community Trust.
The group activities, augmented by the befriending scheme, help to foster a sense of community among the body of students and elderly residents. The friendships formed through the befriending scheme promote an inclusive atmosphere, and they are a key component of the group activities. The work of the Trust has also been expanded to involve supporting activities at Toynbee Hall in Aldgate and our current medical and dental students continue to bring their enthusiasm, energy and commitment to the project. The Griffin Community Trust celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. All medical and dental alumni who were involved with the Griffin Community Trust during their time as students at Barts and The London are invited to attend a special celebratory dinner at Drapers’ Hall in the City on Thursday 3 October 2013. Places for the dinner are £100 per person, inclusive of a three-course meal and drinks. Please RSVP by email to griffin25thanniversary@gmail. com to be sent further details about the event, including booking information. Veronica White q The London, 1991 Chairman, Griffin Community Trust
Summer 2013 | Barts and The London Chronicle | 9