It’s a privilege to help people improve their lives

Using my skills to help people with MS

When I retired from teaching in 2007 I wanted to give back and do some volunteering. I didn’t know anything about MS before I joined my local group. They were looking for someone to help young people, so my teaching experience was perfect.

I was the Chair of the group for six years, and have helped with lots of different things over the years. I now run the group's newsletter which comes out four times a year.

Adapting to what others need

Each day is different and the work is varied – it’s quite a full time role! I work with other local groups, MS nurses and the regional teams from the MS Society. The needs of the group are always changing, and so does my role.

We had a lunch club, but the venue wasn’t very accessible so I changed where we held it. People with MS have lots of different needs and we want everyone to get involved so I do what I can to make this possible.

There’s lots of different events, from social lunches to information days. I think the most important thing is to run events people want to go to. For the groups anniversary we help a big cake event which was lots of fun, and we have coffee meetings every month to catch up. We’ve already started planning our Christmas lunch with a special dinner.

Learning from people with MS

I love working with people, learning from other members and helping run the group. It’s great seeing people with MS who are so determined and courageous. I’ve learned so much about MS and the ways we can best help people. It’s really taught me how to manage challenges and conquer them.

I got the Shining Star award for my volunteering work. I was so surprised! It’s a privilege, and it’s great to be appreciated.

I still help the group by organising the quiz night and doing the newsletter. It’s really satisfying. It’s important to keep people informed about events that can improve their lives.