Volunteer’sWeek2016–CelebratingOurVolunteers
"IbecameinvolvedwithDyscoverin2009whenIendedupwithAphasiaasa
resultofaStroke.SubsequentlyIamnowaTrusteefortheCharity."...
George, Trustee
My name is Mark Sayer and I run the Dyscover Singing Group on a Thursday.
Among the things that make this such an enjoyable time are the enthusiasm and
involvement of the members, and the way that they support and help each other. In
addition, there is always lots of laughter, which is good therapy for all of us!!
Mark, Volunteer Musical Director
My working life was spent in the world of publications, so it is great to be able to use
my professional skills to help Dyscover. I produce the termly newsletter and help with
articles for the local press. Dyscover's Aphasia Ambassadors are members who
spread the word about aphasia and Dyscover by giving talks to local organisations. I
help them put together PowerPoint presentations to support their talks.
Pat, Publishing Volunteer
Myhusband,Eric,hadastroketenyearsagoandhasaphasia.IwasluckyenoughtofindDyscover
ontheinternet.IaskedGillhowIcouldhelpandbecameaTrustee,for6years.Afterleavingthis
roleacoupleofyearsago,IstillwantedtocontributetoDyscoverandsobecamean'adhoc'
volunteer-helpingatvariousfundraisingevents.Thisway,IfeelthatIamgivingsomethingbackto
Dyscoveranditsmembersandreallyenjoythechancetomeeteveryoneelsewhomakesthecharity
whatitistoday.
Pam,CommunityfundraisingvolunteerandHRadvisor
I started volunteering with Dyscover in January 2015 and help with the Wednesday
morning group. The fun, comradery & support the members give each other is
fantastic & I find it very inspirational and rewarding. I have also assisted with two
extra courses run by the SLT: the PPA course and the Conversation Partner’s
course. Dyscover is such a caring organisation and I am very pleased to be a part of
it.
Christine, Group Volunteer
IjoinedDyscoverasavolunteeroverthreeyearsagohelpingwiththegroupbasedinKingston.I
hadnoexperienceofAphasiabutthetrainingandsupporthasenabledmetolearnandgrowover
thistime.Ithasbeenapleasuregettingtoknowthemembersandwhentheyarriveeachweekand
greetmeasafriend,Ifeelprivilegedtobepartofsuchacaringorganisation.
Roberta,GroupVolunteer
"IstartedatDyscoverasamemberafterIhadastrokein2011.Asaresultofmystroke,Inowsuffer
fromAphasia.Ican'tputintowordshowmuchDyscoverhaschangedmylifesinceandIhave
relishedtheopportunityinbeingabletovolunteerandhelpotherswhohaveexperiencedlife
changingeffectsassociatedwithastroke.IfeelthatIamabletoempathisewithnewmembersand
sharemyexperiencesastohowtogetthemostoutoflifedespiteadisability.
Barry,Volunteer
'Asarecentlyrecruitedvolunteer,Iamthoroughlyenjoyinglearningnewskillswhichwill
enablemetosupportpeoplewhohaveaphasia.IfinditveryrewardingwhenIassist
Dyscovermembersinmakingconversationandthemselvesunderstood.
Inaddition,IampleasedtobeabletoofferpracticalhelptotheDyscoverteaminraising
fundsforsuchaworthwhilecause.'
HelenSareen,FundraisingandGroupVolunteer
“Atthebeginningof2016IwasapproachedwiththesuggestionthatIjointhenewgroup,‘learning
tolivewithAphasia’,onTuesday's,inavoluntarycapacitytohelpthenewmemberssettlein.Whilst
Imissmypreviousgroup,IhavefoundthisroleveryfulfillingandsatisfyingIsincerelyhopethatthey
havefoundmeasvaluableasIhavefoundthem.IenjoyedvolunteeringfortheAshteadbridge
eveningandbeingabletosayafewwordsaboutwhataphasiaisandhowmuchpublicsupportis
appreciated,Iwouldbehappytotakeonasimilarrolein2017withanynewgroupwhichisstarted
byDyscover”Adrian,MemberVolunteer