Volunteering for the Meningitis Trust
We currently have a number of volunteers across the UK who support our work - we simply couldn’t do what we do without their ongoing support and generosity.
As a volunteer you could help in many ways including:
- raising vital awareness of meningitis by distributing our life saving symptoms cards or giving talks.
- helping at a fundraising event organised by the Trust or a fellow supporter.
- talking to local companies and organisations to make them aware of the work of the Trust in their area and how they can help.
- sharing your story to your local media helps raise awareness of the disease and the Trust.
By giving a little of your time, you can help us to help those affected by meningitis. Just a few hours a month can make an amazing difference – just ask some of the people that the Trust has supported over the years.
There really is something for everyone. To enquire about volunteering, please contact your local Trust representative or call 01453 768000.
Here are three of our superstar volunteers who are keen to share their stories and encourage new people to join them!
Lucy Goodier, from Warrington, began supporting the Trust in 2006 after her daughter had meningitis.
“In 2005 when my daughter Hannah contracted meningitis and made her recovery, it took me a long time to realise, and admit, that I was actually having problems coming to terms with the experience. I felt depressed and became completely irrational, anxious and a person that I truly didn't understand for quite a while after. I knew this couldn't continue, but couldn't really see any light at the end of the tunnel. I wanted to find out how I could help others in the future and also how I could raise a little bit of money as our contribution. I ‘googled’ meningitis and the Trust came up.
“As a family we suffered great post trauma and that was a huge area the Trust supported, so I made contact. Initially it was just to say hello, but very quickly I decided to do a Coffee Break as my first fundraiser. I really made a huge effort and it was a massive part of my personal recovery, as I channelled my emotions into it. I raised around £650 from the first one and since then I have done another two Coffee Breaks, all totalling over £1,500 for the Trust.
“I am also part of the Meningitis Trust Bolton Community Group. I also volunteer as a one-to-one contact for the Trust and have recently had a family with similar circumstance to ours make contact with me.
“I represent the Trust at various exhibitions and baby shows and raise awareness. I also attend fundraising events and functions, either accompanying Christine Hughes the Community Development Officer for my area, or alone as a guest speaker myself.
“This year, my husband Darren and myself ran the Manchester 10k and raised £400. I'm looking to run the Liverpool Half Marathon in March 2010 in aid of the Trust. I support Christine as much as I possibly can with her up and coming events, including family days and I will continue to do this, as I have developed a close relationship with the Trust now and it has become a fundamental part of our family.”
Colena Devenish, from Gloucestershire, began volunteering in 2008 as she wanted to support a local charity and gain valuable work experience.
“I have been volunteering at the Meningitis Trust head office for over a year now. I try to make it a regular day to ensure the staff know when I will be in and have suitable jobs ready and waiting.
“I may be collating information, inputting databases, the design and assembly of display boards, or any number of activities that free-up the staff to concentrate on more specialised tasks. It gives me an opportunity to tackle different skills and expand my professional acumen. Whatever I’m doing, I get a great sense of job satisfaction and being a valued part of such an organised team.
“The stories I read sometimes reduce me to tears, others overwhelm me with wellbeing for the character and tenacity of the children, it’s just remarkable the progress that has been made getting information and help out there. It’s also very humbling and makes me so very grateful for my own good health.
“It offers me an opportunity to feel I’ve given something back to a charity close to my heart, as well as my home.”
Anne Gaston, from Kent started supporting the Trust in 1997 after signing up to a Coffee Break.
“I first became involved with the Trust over ten years ago. I had two children and realised I hardly knew anything about the dangers of meningitis.
I was happy to become a supporter and over the past ten years I have taken part in many fundraising events and given talks to groups both large and small.
Some of the time I feel really sad when you hear first-hand the devastating effects meningitis has on the lives of those it touches, but I also never cease to be amazed at the energy and determination people have to raise money and awareness.”
There really is something for everyone. To enquire about volunteering, please contact your local Trust representative or call 01453 768000.
