Christine, Brain Injury Matters

What interested you about volunteering with Brain Injury Matters?

I had always intended to take on a volunteer role to help others after I retired. Although I worked for many years as a clinical physiotherapist specialising in fractures and orthopaedics my experience with acquired brain injury (ABI) was gained in more personal ways as both my parents suffered significant strokes and lived for many years with their conditions. I witnessed first-hand the many and ongoing issues they faced in their day to day existence. The physical limitations, the loss of confidence, lifestyle changes and the altered relationships with friends and family who took on the role of carers were visible.

The ethos and holistic approach adopted by brain injury matters to empower and support the psychological, physical and emotional wellbeing of those affected by acquired brain injury appealed to me greatly and in a way volunteering has helped me come to terms with the life changing events my parents embraced.

What’s a typical day like?

I volunteer with the Tuesday arts and wellbeing group and have started volunteering on Fridays with Pedal Power to coordinate the cycling programme.

Every day is different, enjoyable and passes by very quickly. Tuesdays are busy with different morning and afternoon activities. I assist the programme co-ordinator and facilitators to set up work spaces, tidy up, support and encourage service users to take part in various activities, assist with pushing wheelchairs, transfers to and from seats and help with service user’s general needs. I also chat and banter with participant, carers and family members during tea breaks too!

Pedal Power on Fridays is affectionately referred to by the service users as freedom Fridays. Along with other volunteers and family members we ‘buddy’ the service users, many of whom have limited mobility and other limitations either on ICE trikes which are self-propelled or on side by side tandem trikes around the Victoria Park and the Comber greenway. We meet at the Sustrans hub at CS Lewis Square and afterwards there’s a lot of chat in the local coffee shop. The volunteers help set up the bikes and get the opportunity to complete cycling proficiency training, gain sills in basic first aid and bicycle maintenance.

What skills have you learned?

Through supporting the service users in a wide range of activities including craft activities, creative writing, yoga, drama productions, gardening, visits to offsite exhibitions, pedal power cycling etc I have developed my communication skills and ability to be patient and offer encouragement. I have also learned how to be adaptive and modify various activities to enable service users to fully participate in them

What do you enjoy most about volunteering?

Volunteering with Brain Injury Matters is very rewarding. I feel privileged to have met the service users, their carers and be able to share their journey with them as they embrace challenges and face the day to day. To observe them experiencing new skills, reigniting old ones, developing friendships with other services and regaining self confidence and self-esteem is humbling. The facility is amazing and provides a safe, friendly meeting place for everyone.

Do you feel volunteering helps with future job opportunities?

Volunteering can help develop skills which can be beneficial for many jobs. In particular it will develop the ability to communicate with people from different backgrounds and abilities.

What would you say to someone considering volunteering with Brain Injury Matters?

Go for it without hesitation! Brain Injury Matters offers an extremely enjoyable, varied, worthwhile programme contributing greatly to the wellbeing of those affected by acquired brain injury. The service users are so grateful for the support empathy and friendship given by volunteers and the role is thus very fulfilling and rewarding.

To find out more about Volunteering opportunities at Brain Injury Matters – visit Volunteer – Brain Injury Matters