In loving memory of Janet Ireland, 1961 - 2023

Two years ago, when I started in the post of Partnership Coordinator, looking after the Access to Justice project and LATAN, she was one of the first network members to welcome me and helped show me the ropes. She always blew me away with her boundless enthusiasm, immense knowledge and limitless compassion. Janet effortlessly hosted the first hybrid meeting I ever attended and made it look so easy that I was inspired to try it myself.She also helped facilitate our first in-person network meetings and was intrumental in keeping the network going in ever so many different little ways.Janet felt like an instant friend - there were no airs and graces with her, just pure love for all of humanity. I know that she will be missed very much by her family, friends, colleagues and clients.

Janet was my first port of call at The Brain Charity when I set up Fibromates support group. She was a constant source of support and assistance and provided our members with a place to meet on occasions as well as with helpful information. She will be remembered with fondness.RIP JanetCondolences to family and friends.Anne Pritchard Founder/Leader Fibromates North West Fibromyalgia Support Group

Janet, my mum Marjorie Wilkinson and I had a connection through Guiding in South Liverpool over many years.  Also through our Baptist church association, our family being very active in the fellowship held in Wellington Road, Dingle.   Mum's and my Guiding goes back to Wellington Road Baptist, in 1960s and onwards, I also had packs over the years at  Ancient Chapel of Toxteth, Ullett Road, St Andrews New Brighton and Liscard URC Wirral, in the 1980's and onwards until retirement.  Many District, Divisional and County get togethers in South Liverpool brought us and our Guiding friends into contact and we have many happy memories of fun filled days. It was only last October 2022 that we made a new contact through our mutual interest in the work of World Day of Prayer, I was absolutely thrilled to see Janet and we had a really great time remembering those happy times and mutual friends.  It is difficult to put feelings into words but today listening to the tributes paid to Janet echoed the many memories mum and I have of her and it was good to be with you all to celebrate a great lady.   5th June 2023

When I was first diagnosed with FND, I had no idea what it was, in sheer desperation I made a call to the Brain Charity, and Janet answered the call. She ,was awsome, helpful ,kind and loving. She let me rant on for about an hour . Then she explianed that I had not gone crazy and Functional Nuralogical Disorder was a real illness. We got on well, She managed to tell me about the Walton Hospital , So i manged to get my GP to refer me . When the appointment came through she told me to let her know, so we arranged to meet up. We went to Penny Lane and the little Beatles museum there where my husband and son ,Janet and myself had a brillent time ,before going to the Hospital. Janet had also helped me get my P.I.P claim sorted out. As a thank you I decided to make her a music box so she would rember our day, I thought it will last longer than flowers and chocolate. she loved her box and took it to work where it stood pride of place on her desk.We will never forget Janet . GOD BLESS YOU AND LOOK AFTER YOU.  THANK YOU JANET .  LOVE ALEX,JASON AND FIONA WRIGHT XXXXXXXXXX  

It is hard to believe that we won't be seeing our lovely neighbour Janet again.  She has been such a key figure in the local community - everyone knew her.  Our family is very grateful for the support she gave us over the years, as we have grappled with a range of neurological conditions. My elder son now has a permanent job, thanks in part to Janet encouraging him to volunteer and take courses at the Brain Charity (or Glaxo Centre as we knew it then). We will all miss you, Janet, and will do our best to support your parents. Sending love to all the family.Karen Kennedy 

I worked for the Brain Charity back in 2018. With it being my first proper job, I was beyond nervous to start! But coming in each morning to the welcoming coworkers, especially Janet, put my mind at ease, she would always find me a nice little task to do in the library! From making labels to rearranging the whole place! I was lucky enough to see how much she helped people every single day, putting people's minds at ease by helping them find books and information on their condition and signposting people in the right direction really made a difference. I'm incredibly saddened to hear of her passing, she was truly a wonderful person, I'm lucky to have known her and know how much of a difference she made to everyone's life she was in.Rest in Peace, Janet ❤️

JanetI started at the charity almost 9yrs ago.  One of my first memories is Janet.  My first week was the week of our charity ball and everyone was busy sorting that out, back then it was held in September not Dec.  I was on a 6 months scheme called bridging the gap and at the time I wasn’t in finance as such I was on reception and was just learning finance.  Everyone else was busy with ball stuff but Janet came over and it was “Hello I’m Janet, welcome to Neurosupport”, and she filled me in on staff, procedures etc, showed me around the building, she was such a welcoming presence.  Working on reception I witnessed her expertise, her passion, conviction and love of helping anybody who came through the doors of The Brain Charity.  She was infamous in having a draw full of biscuits, I didn’t know they still made viscount biscuits until I met Janet.  If you needed that chocolate fix, Janet would never let you down. We both had our faith in common and although she had such a strong belief she never forced her faith on anyone and never made judgments on anyone based on her beliefs. I never heard Janet in all the time I have worked for The Brain Charity ever say anything bad about anybody.  During Covid, she instinctively knew I was struggling with isolation. Unless you had a financial query no one called and very rare was I involved in zoom meetings, but somehow she knew and she would call me every Friday to see how I was.   I loved reading her daily emails, just telling everyone what she was doing that day, if she was going away the weekend, didn’t know how much of an Everton supporter she was until then.  Again they kept me going during a very difficult time.We got to know each other a bit more during Covid and then afterwards we got closer,  and then even before she new she  was diagnosed with cancer we text chatted.  I am devastated she has gone, she was such a warm, amazing individual, she never judged, she accepted people no matter what.  We probably all  joked about how long Janet would spend with a client but that was because she cared so much about each individual person.  She was unique. Rest in Peace Janet, you are always loved and will never be forgotten xx Moira

When I joined The Brain Charity, Janet was one of the first people I met. She was kind, devoted and always had time to help or assist in any way she could. She loved helping people and was selfless in her support. Thank you Janet for contributing to the lovely memories I have of working there and rest in peace.