Volunteering with The Back-Up Trust

News:

It is Volunteers' Week this month and we want to take the opportunity to reiterate our gratitude to all our volunteers, without whom our work would be impossible. To every single one of you has worked with us over the last year, raising much needed funds and awareness, teaching wheelchair skills, leading and supporting courses, mentoring, learning, organising, taking photos, helping with development work, projects and administration, lending their skills, time and enthusiasm ... a heartfelt THANK YOU!

Volunteer of the month

Andy Walker, wheelchair skills trainer for The Back-Up Trust

Andy was the speaker at our recent City Dinner and gave an extremely honest and moving speech for which he received a standing ovation. His speech was a decisive factor in making it our most successful City Dinner to date.

Helen Cook, who attended the City Dinner said:

"I really was incredibly impressed, and also very moved by Andy's speech. I felt privileged to hear his personal story, one that he told with such composure and also a wonderful sense of humour.”

Andy said:

"I didn’t sleep for a week before the dinner because it meant so much to me and I wanted to give something back to Back-Up. I just really wanted to get across that when you go on a Back-Up Course you can have a life changing experience, like I did.”

The Back-Up Trust was founded by volunteers, and volunteers remain at the heart of everything we do. Whatever your background we have a range of opportunities to suit your interests. Our roles are challenging, fun, rewarding, and could even change your life!

Opportunities for people with spinal cord injuries

Mentor - Use your experience to provide regular one-to-one support for other people with spinal cord injury via telephone and/or face to face visits at your nearest spinal centre.

Wheelchair skills trainer - Demonstrate and teach patients key skills to enable them to become more independent after they have been discharged.

Opportunities for nurses and carers

Nurses and carers - Provide support for spinal cord injured participants on a range of Back-Up courses.

Opportunities for able-bodied helpers on Back-Up courses

Buddies (age 18+) - Lend a helping hand to course participants with spinal cord injuries, make friends and have fun.

Buddies (age 16-17yrs) - Provide support, encouragement and a helping hand to spinal cord injured participants on one of our courses.

Opportunities for everyone

Group leader - Assist participants on our courses to achieve their goals and surpass their aspirations. Call Ally or Sean in the Services Team for more information on: 020 8875 1805.

Fundraising

Office volunteer - Help out in the Back-Up office in Wandsworth. Call 020 8875 1805 to discuss current opportunities.

We look forward to hearing from you!

When I first became a volunteer, I didn't’t know what to expect because of my high level injury. Since my involvement, with Back-Up I have been much more active and spontaneous. If I come across obstacles now, I will just get on with it. I used to worry more about people's perceptions of me and my disability, but now I have more self-confidence and realise that I have a really good life. The amazing feeling I get from helping other people is worth more than any amount of money.