The year 2024 marks 30 years of the Manchester Central Support Group of the Royal Osteoporosis Society.

From our beginnings at Crumpsall Hospital in 1994 to online Zoom meetings in 2024. We continue to share information about osteoporosis and bone health. 

Offering a friendly and welcoming space for people to support each other and ask questions, the group can be invaluable support for people who do not have a fracture liaison service in their area.

It is a fantastic achievement to be still here after 30 years and we will continue to serve the online community with up to date knowledge of bone health and osteoporosis.

This article celebrates 30 years of information, support and good times. Many people have attended our meetings through the years and we would like to fondly remember them and look ahead to the future.

How it started

The group started in 1994 at Crumpsall hospital (North Manchester General Hospital). This was the same year that Her Majesty The Queen Consort Camilla first became a supporter of the charity which was then known as the “National Osteoporosis Society”.

The meetings were held every month with around 60 people in attendance. Eunice Hynes was the chairwoman and she was strongly supported by her husband Keith Hynes. There were a range of excellent medical speakers, consultants, physiotherapists, pharmacists, nutritionists, dentists who shared lots of information and answered questions. It was an impressive group and many long lasting friendships were made.

Committee Members outside the Palace Hotel Manchester 90’s L-R (Leila Niman, Audrey Roberts (Coronation street, Patron) Dr.Peter Selby (Medical Advisor), Theresa Jones, Ted Jones, Eunice Hynes (chair), Keith Hynes (secretary),  Mrs. Oldham, Mrs. Bury, (unsure of name), Kath Lomas, Jim Lomas.

Unfortunately, due to illness Chairwoman Eunice had to retire. The group moved to The Woodthorpe pub and later to the Friendship Inn. Sadly Eunice passed away and Keith Hynes asked for help if the group was to survive. Jim Lomas stepped in to become Chairman and Stan Thompson became vice chair. 

At the 2009 Annual General Meeting key committee members; Keith Hynes, Jim Lomas and the group’s treasurer decided to retire. However, the group did not close. Instead, Stan Thompson held an Extraordinary General Meeting and formed a new committee with Marie Howarth as treasurer and Ray Howarth as Vice Chairman to keep the group active.

With Stan at the helm the group’s activities expanded. The group received two large donations, £3000 from the ‘Buffaloes’ and £2,500 from the golf club. These donations supported 7 nurses to attend the full National Osteoporosis Society conference.

We not only spent our time directly supporting the group but ventured out. The committee regularly attended the Volunteer Network meetings, talking about what we do in Manchester and sharing good practice with other groups from around the country.

Volunteer network meeting 2019,  L to R, Tanya Grenade (Treasurer) Stan Thompson (Chairman)

Our meetings in Manchester had a wide range of guests and speakers. A frequent favourite was the ‘Renaissance Choir’ from Denton, led by Dr. Mike Kirby. 

They would come every September to sing beautiful songs that were a delight to hear and a joy to witness. 

Renaissance Choir’ from Denton, led by Dr. Mike Kirby at the Friendship Inn

We stayed at the Friendship Inn for approximately 11 years but had to pause face to face meetings due to the 2020 pandemic.

How its going now

We host 11 meetings a year, taking a well deserved break in January. The 2024 program features one of our regular and most popular speakers Professor Terry O’Neill, Professor of Rheumatology and Clinical Epidemiology at the University of Manchester.

“I have been delighted to have been invited back on a couple of occasions, most recently over ZOOM, and it has been wonderful to see the group continue to flourish” – Professor Terry O’Neill.

It can be challenging to have discussions online and the Manchester group has chat meetings for people to socialise and have a conversation. People who attend feel free to ask questions and everyone wants to help no matter where they are on the osteoporosis ladder.

The group chairman Stan is very active within the society. He is a community presenter and travels far and wide for meetings. He has given an engaging talk about osteoporosis on All FM radio and given presentations to a variety of community groups, most recently the Stretford Deaf Community.

The Manchester group is very fortunate to have such a committed person as a chair. 

Summary

We have continuously supported our members and local health professionals for 30 years. We have a magnificent team of experts that support our meetings with information, plus, we hold peer to peer meetings where our members can support each other. 

As we close the chapter on three decades of dedicated service and unwavering commitment, we are filled with gratitude and pride. Through the years, the Manchester Central Support Group has touched many lives and has made a difference in our community. As we look ahead, we will continue to be innovative and dynamic in how we support the Manchester area and be grateful for the support that we receive from the people who attend the meetings.

“It has been a privilege to be involved with the support group and always rewarding to see so many people benefit from our informed meetings” – Stan Thompson, Chairman

Acknowledgements

Thanks to everyone who shared their personal stories of their experiences with the group. Without your support and time this article could not be written. Thank you