Volunteer for the MSA Trust
Could you lend a hand? With only a small team of staff working tirelessly to raise funds, increase awareness and support people affected by MSA, we are incredibly lucky to have an ever growing army of volunteers registered to offer their time to support the Trust and get involved in our work. Our volunteers help us to raise awareness of MSA and help tackle the isolation felt by having a rare disease. As a charity funded entirely by donations from individuals, companies and charitable trusts, local volunteers also support us by raising vital funds to allow us to continue our work.
How to get involved
Below are brief descriptions of the current volunteering opportunities at the MSA Trust. The positions available vary depending on local need, but we welcome all enquiries. For more information on the roles and to apply please contact volunteer@msatrust.org.uk.If you have a particular interest or area you feel you can help with that isn’t detailed below, please do get in touch to have a conversation with our team.
Volunteer Roles at the MSA Trust
Events Volunteers
As a small organisation we struggle to be at every event our wonderful supporters take part in. Our Events Volunteers help at local events by representing the MSA Trust. This could be in the crowd cheering people on or by contributing other skills such as event photography.
Anyone can support the Trust as MSAT Cheer Volunteer, even if you do not know anyone in the race! As a cheer volunteer you will be providing an essential range of duties that will help inspire and motivate our amazing fundraisers. These duties include cheering and making as much noise as possible at events, assisting our fundraising team with and helping to set up and pack down banners/flags
We would love to have your support at the following events – if you are interested please get in touch asap, it is never to early to start cheering!:
- London Marathon: 21st April 2024
- Great North Run: 8th September 2024
Helping Hands Volunteers – We are always eager to make use of the enthusiasm and skills of those interested in Volunteering for us. Helping Hands Volunteers are those members who wish to share their skillsets in a variety of ways, this role can involve a wider variety of tasks which may include, but is not limited to:
- Raising awareness by speaking local event
- Representing the Trust locally such as handing out leaflets at local hospitals/ hospices
- One-off bucket collections
- Conducting desk-based work such as, helping us to research MSA support services worldwide
Sarah’s Wood Volunteer
We opened and began planting Sarah’s Wood began in June 2017, to mark the Trust’s 20th anniversary. Situated in Thorsby Park in Nottingham Forrest, enjoy a practical day helping out in the picturesque Sherwood Forest
- We need Sarah’s Wood Volunteers twice a year, to join us in growing this symbol for years to come, to maintain the grounds and to help our oak trees thrive. Volunteers will be requested to provide their own tools and have some gardening experience (sheers and hammer).
- Exact dates to be announced.
Volunteering with an MSA Trust Support Group
In-Person Support Groups
Our Support Groups provide essential, local help to people affected by MSA. These Groups bring together people affected by MSA in an environment of mutual support and friendship, to help tackle the sense of isolation felt by having a rare disease. We are limited in the number of Groups we can effectively manage but we are constantly reviewing our locations based on member interest. Please contact us if you are interested in setting up a new Group to discuss this possibility.
Digital Support Groups
Due to the ongoing Covid-19 crisis all our Support Groups are meeting digitally. We have combined some of our existing support group areas and each group is meeting around once every 2 months.
In the future we look forward to having a combination of both in-person and Digital Support Groups and will explore the best ways to involve our volunteers.
Support Group Leaders – Our Support Groups could not run without our volunteer Support Group Leaders. They help us with the local administration for the groups and are our hosts and representatives at the meetings. The role involves organising around three meetings a year. This includes booking the meeting space in conjunction with Trust, arranging refreshments on the day and where possible arranging talks from local professionals.
We are currently looking for Support Group Leaders for specific locations ( please note our locations do change depending on the needs of our Members
- Bristol, Bristol
- Worthing, West Sussex
- Berkhampstead, Hertfordshire
- Shipley, South Yorkshire
- Etton, East Yorkshire
- Dublin, Republic of Ireland
- Scottish Borders, Scotland
- Fife, Scotland
Remote Volunteering Opportunities
User Information Panel Members – As a member led organisation we greatly value the contribution of people with MSA, Carers and healthcare professionals to the review process for our published information materials. This includes our ever-expanding factsheets, published guides for members and healthcare professionals and one-off projects. User Information Panel Members proof-read and give feedback on new materials and as part of the review process for existing documentation.
Carer Resource Review – We are looking for an a member of our community to help us update the wider Carer resources we signpost people to on our site. This would involve checking if the resources we currently have on our site are still appropriate and researching additional resources we should make our members aware of.
Local Hub Volunteer – Our local hub is our resource for letting people know about all the services in their area they may not be aware of. Keeping this varied up to date can be a challenge as so many organisations can change over time. Our volunteer would check if the listings on the site are still up to date and help us update them if they are not. They would also help research additional resources that should should be included.
Volunteering in the MSA Trust Offices
Office Volunteers – Our Office Volunteers provide administrative support to our Services and Fundraising Teams in our London Office helping us to support our members and raise vital awareness of MSA. Our Office opportunities are limited but if you have skills you wish to contribute and are London based, please do get in touch.
Already a volunteer?
If you’re already volunteering with us, you can find all of the information and resources you will need to help you in your role here.
“Our volunteers are at the heart of our work and at the heart of every community so that people affected by MSA receive the support they need. We are committed to ensuring volunteers received the best possible experience whilst volunteering and that they feel fulfilled and valued.”
Karen Walker – MSA Trust CEO
Sharing Your Story
Why share your story? Our members are at the heart of everything we do at...