|| Volunteer opportunity
Focus on MS SUPPORT OFFICERS
• Are you a good listener with excellent interpersonal skills and an empathetic nature?
• Do you enjoy being part of a team and meeting new people?
• Are you well organised, enjoy researching local links and able to follow policy and procedure?
Then perhaps you would like to volunteer with your local branch as part of the volunteer support team.
• Are you a good listener with excellent interpersonal skills and an empathetic nature?
• Do you enjoy being part of a team and meeting new people?
• Are you well organised, enjoy researching local links and able to follow policy and procedure?
Then perhaps you would like to volunteer with your local branch as part of the volunteer support team.
MS Support Officers aim to be the primary point of branch contact for people seeking information about MS or access to available services and support in their local area.
Initial and ongoing training is provided with lots of peer support available from fellow Support Officers. Please note: All volunteers carrying out this role will be required to go through a Criminal Records Bureau Enhanced Disclosure check.
Currently, our Alnwick & district, S E Northumberland and Hexham & district branches are looking for a lead support officer with our Durham & district and Teesside branches looking to add to their team.
Wherever you are, your skills/experience could be put to good use supporting the work of one of the 15 North of England branches.
For initial discussion please contact Sheila Crawford, Local Support Development Officer, (email scrawford@mssociety.org.uk).
I’ve been a volunteer with my local branch for several years now. I became a support officer as I thought that would make best use of my personality, skills and experience. Initially, I was supported by others doing similar roles within other branches and had lots of help from the other committee members of my own branch. I attended a Welcome Aboard induction day for all new volunteers and then a Providing Support Introduction specifically for those undertaking a support officer volunteer role. Both were excellent for providing me with the background information essential to do the role.
My first call was scary as I didn’t know what to expect but I am a ‘people person’ and I soon forgot all about that and focused on the caller. It felt really good to have been there for someone just when they needed it. Being a good listener is essential. The person making the call often knows there is no magic cure or key to their problems, but talking to an individual who is responding sympathetically and appropriately is often enough.
Calls can vary so much and you never know what you are going to be asked next. Over the years I’ve learned a lot and have gathered together some useful contacts. I’m not expected to know it all but I hope that ‘I know a man/woman who does!’ Signposting" and offering information are important aspects of the role, but definitely not advice.
To give a flavour of my role, this week:
There is flexibility around how much time support officers are expected to give and it is important to be able to recognise the limitations of the role and its boundaries.
I love my role and would recommend it to anyone who feels they have an empathetic nature, are well organised with good communication skills and could be part of a team. I feel it is a very worthwhile way to help others and it may well be that something you have said may bring a smile to their face or even improve the quality of their life.
Initial and ongoing training is provided with lots of peer support available from fellow Support Officers. Please note: All volunteers carrying out this role will be required to go through a Criminal Records Bureau Enhanced Disclosure check.
Currently, our Alnwick & district, S E Northumberland and Hexham & district branches are looking for a lead support officer with our Durham & district and Teesside branches looking to add to their team.
Wherever you are, your skills/experience could be put to good use supporting the work of one of the 15 North of England branches.
For initial discussion please contact Sheila Crawford, Local Support Development Officer, (email scrawford@mssociety.org.uk).
Here’s one person’s experience:
I’ve been a volunteer with my local branch for several years now. I became a support officer as I thought that would make best use of my personality, skills and experience. Initially, I was supported by others doing similar roles within other branches and had lots of help from the other committee members of my own branch. I attended a Welcome Aboard induction day for all new volunteers and then a Providing Support Introduction specifically for those undertaking a support officer volunteer role. Both were excellent for providing me with the background information essential to do the role.
My first call was scary as I didn’t know what to expect but I am a ‘people person’ and I soon forgot all about that and focused on the caller. It felt really good to have been there for someone just when they needed it. Being a good listener is essential. The person making the call often knows there is no magic cure or key to their problems, but talking to an individual who is responding sympathetically and appropriately is often enough.
Calls can vary so much and you never know what you are going to be asked next. Over the years I’ve learned a lot and have gathered together some useful contacts. I’m not expected to know it all but I hope that ‘I know a man/woman who does!’ Signposting" and offering information are important aspects of the role, but definitely not advice.
To give a flavour of my role, this week:
- I took a call from someone who had just be diagnosed with ‘relapsing remitting Multiple Sclerosis’ and wanted to know what it all meant. They were upset and fearful of what might lie ahead. I was able to listen to their concerns and help clarify some of the points they were unsure about. I also helped dispel some myths. I mentioned information sessions ‘Getting to Grips’ due to take place shortly. The caller may well attend and find further support there.
- Helped a person who was unsure where to go to get information on benefits and was able to send her the MS Society free publications - Essentials 08 and 09 - to help her understand the ‘system.’
- Met with one of the support volunteers to go through a grant application from someone needing financial assistance towards the purchase of some specialist equipment. Spoke with a member of the National Centre grants team for advice and was able to process the application – hopefully the sub-committee will meet and approve it soon.
- Chatted with the MS Nurse based at the local hospital and offered to supply more copies of the branch leaflet with the contact details for the branch support team. Linking with local health and social care agencies is an important part of the role and it is good to have that connection.
- Talked to another caller who had been feeling a bit down and encouraged him to come along to the branch’s weekly exercise classes to meet others, get fitter and have some fun!
There is flexibility around how much time support officers are expected to give and it is important to be able to recognise the limitations of the role and its boundaries.
I love my role and would recommend it to anyone who feels they have an empathetic nature, are well organised with good communication skills and could be part of a team. I feel it is a very worthwhile way to help others and it may well be that something you have said may bring a smile to their face or even improve the quality of their life.
