The role of Association Visitors

Visitors have a vital part to play in supporting people affected by motor neurone disease - both those with the disease and those close to them. They offer free and confidential emotional support, and information about the Association and other services that helps people to make informed choices. This helps to reduce the sense of isolation many people affected by the disease experience.

Key tasks include:

• to make and maintain contact by telephone, email or face-to-face with people living with MND
• to explain the support and services the Association and other local services can offer
• to enable people with MND to identify problems as they arise and explore how these might be managed
• to liaise with health and social care professionals

What skills and qualities do visitors need?

As a visitor you will need to:

• have good listening and communication skills
• be able to work as part of a team and liaise with colleagues and health and social care professionals
• Be able to develop and maintain supportive relationships with people with MND and their carers whilst respecting different lifestyles
• understand the need for confidentiality
• be able to commit to a minimum of two - fours hours per week
• understand the need for, and be willing to participate in, support and supervision meetings and development opportunities and use them appropriately

How will I benefit from becoming a visitor?

It is important to appreciate that becoming a visitor is a two-way process - you will be giving your time and commitment but you should also benefit from taking on this role.

The rewards of becoming a visitor include:

• an opportunity for self development
• the opportunity to make new friends
• the opportunity to be valued as part of a team
• use existing skills and learn new ones
• taking on a new challenge
• making a difference to people living with MND and their families

Expenses will be reimbursed and volunteers are covered by insurance.

Find out more

To find out more about becoming an Association visitor contact the volunteering team:

Phone: 0845 604 4150
Email: volunteering@mndassociation.org
Or use the Volunteering Enquiry Form