Barbara - MND Connect Volunteer
...it is great being back helping people with a disease I feel passionate about.
Barbara, MND Connect volunteer
When I retired as a hospice physiotherapist in 2002, I always intended to take on some sort of voluntary work with the MND Association at a later date, possibly as a visitor, which would keep up my contact with people living with MND.
Life then took over, with a new job, family commitments and other voluntary work and although the intention was still there, somehow I never made the vital telephone call.
In 2005, I heard through a former colleague that volunteers were needed on MND Connect. It didn’t take me long to decide that this was something I could do that would fit in with my hectic lifestyle.
Experience at hospice
Over my 22 years at the hospice the care given to these people improved vastly. In the latter years, we started a multi-disciplinary clinic specifically for people with Motor Neurone Disease and this enabled us to work as a team to provide the best care possible.
Privileged to work with the Association as a volunteer
During my time at the hospice, I was always impressed by the work of the Motor Neurone Disease Association. I feel privileged to work with the Association as a volunteer and since becoming one, have been even more impressed. Right from the start, I have found the Association helpful and supportive. I received some initial training, loads of useful information and I am regularly updated on anything new, or informed if anything that we should know about is going to hit the media.
Meeting up
There are also opportunities to meet up with other volunteers and we are all made to feel very much part of the team. I still feel I have a lot to learn, but it is great being back helping people with a disease I feel passionate about.
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