This Volunteers Week we’re celebrating each and every one of our 612 volunteers who are passionate about helping us achieve our goals.
The work that we do wouldn’t be possible without their incredible contributions across a huge range of different roles.
We recently caught up with one of our newest head office volunteers, Rosemary, to hear more about what inspired her to volunteer with us.
Tell us about your role as a volunteer
I work closely with the Healthcare Engagement Team in Farnborough, supporting the team to process requests for information packs and leaflets. Primarily, I put together and dispatch the Patient Information Pack, which provides support and information to newly diagnosed brain tumour patients. These packs are also sent out to healthcare professionals; including GPs and opticians, to dispense to their patients. I’m also responsible for fulfilling large orders of packs for when staff are attending conferences and events. I volunteer one day a week for a few hours.
What inspired you to start volunteering with us?
I’ve volunteered in my local community and for another healthcare charity for several years. After a break from work and a house move, I was looking for something new to become involved with. At the same time, my mother, was diagnosed with a glioblastoma Grade 4 brain tumour. Her decline in health was swift and sadly she died around 7 months after diagnosis. Being involved in her care gave me an insight into brain cancer and I used The Charity’s website for information.
A volunteering opportunity came up at just the right time for me and I’m glad to be able to support others going through a similar situation. My personal experience helped to highlight the importance of increasing awareness of brain tumours, providing information and support to patients and families, and in attracting research into this healthcare area.
How has volunteering made a difference to you?
I appreciate being able to give my time and to use my skills to help others. I find it very rewarding and regard it as an important contribution to society.
What do you enjoy most about volunteering with The Charity?
It’s a relatively small charity and people are really friendly. It’s particularly meaningful to be involved in a cause when you’ve known someone who has suffered from the illness, it’s a place where there is genuine sympathy and understanding for what families and friends have also been through, there is real passion behind the work that everyone does.
Rosemary’s story is just one from our amazing volunteers, if you’ve been inspired to join us, visit our volunteering page.