Peer Support volunteers provide one-to-one support to others affected by neuromuscular conditions. We match up those seeking support with a volunteer who has had similar experiences, and our volunteers then provide informal emotional support and advice over the phone or email.
Why volunteer?
You’ll meet and speak to like-minded people with similar experiences, and you'll get the chance to share your valuable knowledge and experiences.
As a Peer Support volunteer, you will:
- make calls or send emails to people wanting to get in touch - this may be a one-off to provide guidance on a specific topic or an ongoing connection
- signpost those you are supporting to other avenues of support that may be of use to them, whether that be MDUK or other charities/organisations
- keep a note of communication and interaction with those you are supporting and check in with the Volunteer Engagement Manager regularly to update on how things are going
Time commitment
Usually a maximum of 2 hours per month. How often you will be called upon to offer support will vary significantly depending on what requests for support we receive.
What we're looking for
People with first-hand experience of muscle-wasting conditions, whether you have a neuromuscular condition yourself or someone close to you has. We're currently underrepresented in the following:
- Volunteers who live with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and are in the age range 18-25
- Volunteers who live with Myotonic dystrophy
Our peer support volunteers have the ability to empathise and show understanding, good communication and listening skills, and they are all motivated by helping others.
Our next training session is not scheduled to be until later in 2022 but if you are interested in this role, please submit an application and we will add you to our waiting list.