Volunteer shortage hits Lochaber MS Group
A crucial service that helps MS sufferers in and around Fort William is in danger of folding unless new volunteers are found quickly, writes Fiona Scott.
The Lochaber MS Society Group was established in October 1989 and has historically held social events such as coffee mornings, lunches, teas and special dinners to mark Burns Day, Christmas and get-togethers in summer or Easter. They also raise money for MS research through various fundraising efforts.
A group of volunteers known as the Group Coordinating Team work together to promote the group, provide support available to all those affected by MS, signpost to information as well as providing peer support, social events and a peer network for everyone affected by MS including carers and families.
Sadly in November 2019 they lost their group coordinator Jim Lee after a short illness which caused activities to stall for a period and then the pandemic hit.
The Lochaber Group has four elderly volunteers still in role who wish to retire from their volunteering. The finance volunteer moved to Inverness and has still been carrying out his role from a distance until a replacement is found.
Speaking to the Lochaber Times, volunteer support officer Lynda Boyce said: ‘Without volunteers the group will fold.
‘During the pandemic the group was unable to provide any services at all and we would wish to rectify this situation to ensure that people affected by MS don’t feel alone but to do this we need new volunteers.’
Receiving a diagnosis of MS can be a shock and the volunteers are there to provide a listening ear and to ensure the person is signposted to the information or support that they need.
Lynda added: ‘Our groups bring people affected by MS together locally, supporting them to be physically active, have access to information, get appropriate emotional support and feel part of a community.
‘As the group needs to be set up again we currently need a group coordinator, administrator, finance volunteer, communications volunteer, activities volunteer, fundraising volunteer as well as any others who may wish to volunteer to help get the group up and running again.’
The Lochaber MS Society Group covers the postcode areas PH33, PH34, PH39, PH40, PH31, PH35, PH36, PH41, PH42, PH43 and PH44. Potential volunteers can find out more about volunteering with the group by contacting volunteersupport@mssociety.org.uk or by telephoning 0300 500 8084 and select the ‘Volunteer Support Team’ on option #3. They should ask for Lynda Boyce.
‘During the pandemic the group was unable to provide any services at all and we would wish to rectify this situation.’