The Cheshire branch of the Motor Neurone Disease Association is on the hunt for new members to help with their valuable work.
The voluntary group - which raises funds and awareness of motor neurone disease in the Cheshire area while supporting local people affected by the condition - has several exciting vacancies which offer the chance to make a real difference to the lives of those affected by the incurable disease.
Chairman of the Cheshire branch Joel Millett is encouraging people to consider volunteering in 2016 as thoughts turn to new year’s resolutions and what they want to achieve with the year ahead.
He said: “If you have always said to yourself that you’d like to give volunteering a try and help make a difference to your local community, then why not make 2016 the year you do something about it?
“At the MND Association Cheshire branch we promise a rewarding role which can benefit not only those we seek to support, but also provides enormous personal satisfaction and could even help you with your career aims and aspirations.”
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The positions which the branch is recruiting for include: branch contact - the first point of contact with the branch for those affected by MND, providing information, advice and signposting to other helpful services; fundraiser - full of ideas about how to raise vital funds to support those with MND and to help with the fight against the disease; newsletter editor - spreading the word about branch news, events, activities and achievements through a quarterly newsletter; association visitors - offering free and confidential emotional support to people living with MND and their families, including information about the Association and other services, which helps people to make informed choices and reduces the isolation that a diagnosis of MND can bring.
Time commitments vary according to the position and the branch is happy to meet with people who may be interested in one of the roles to discuss the individual roles in more detail.
Association Visitors receive full training via the national office of the MND Association, with the next programme planned for spring 2016 in Ellesmere Port.
The vacancies have arisen for a variety of reasons, as some branch members step down after many years service, while other areas need extra assistance as demand for the Cheshire branch’s support has grown.
Marion Chadwick, from Chester, is stepping down as branch contact after seven years’ dedicated service.
She said: “The MND Association Cheshire branch has been a wonderful local cause to be involved with and I am proud to have worked alongside such a committed, hard-working branch which is providing a vital service to those affected by this horrible disease.
“The time is now right for me to move on and welcome fresh talent to the group. I can wholeheartedly recommend the position and wish the branch and the new branch contact well as they enter an exciting new chapter.”
Committee member Hal Bailey from Knutsford, who has MND, is stepping down as newsletter editor but will continue in his position as webmaster.
He said: “Producing the newsletter is enormous fun and there is a great deal of satisfaction when the finished product lands on people’s doormats.
“We receive excellent feedback on the publication and know that those living with MND, their families and our supporters really look forward to catching up with branch news. This is a great opportunity for someone who is working in this industry or is forging a career in communications.”
Chairman Joel, who runs a kennels business in Wilmslow, is an Association Visitor along with committee member Amy Phillipson, a trained speech therapist from Runcorn. Demand for their services has grown considerably in recent months and years so they are keen to recruit two new visitors to ensure that those affected by MND in Cheshire receive the support they need.
Joel added: “All of these roles play a vital part in the work of the branch.
“We would love to hear from people across the Cheshire area who can help us continue to go from strength to strength, ensuring that those who are living with MND don’t have to face it alone.”
Serving on the committee requires attendance at branch meetings - which usually take place four times a year - and some fundraising events, as well as a regular commitment to complete the tasks as required.
For more information about the key duties for each role and to find out more about the work of the branch visit www.mndcheshire.org . For an informal chat about the roles please contact committee chairman Joel Millett by email: joel@mndcheshire.org or vice chairman Margaret Bailey on margaret@mndcheshire.org or 01565 634831.
