Volunteers Week 1-7 June – a time to say Thanks!
“WAMES is run by volunteers”
People choose to volunteer for a variety of reasons. For some it offers the chance to give something back to the community or make a difference to the people around them. For others it provides an opportunity to develop new skills or build on existing experience and knowledge.
Here, some of the WAMES volunteers share why they choose to volunteer:
Sharon says:
“Sadly there is still a need to fight for services for those with ME in Wales, plus campaign for better awareness and more research into this debilitating illness. Volunteering gives me a chance to turn a negative (having ME) into a positive by helping others. It has also brought many new friends into my life.
It helps that I have a network of people who “get” the daily struggles I face with ME. I have volunteered with WAMES for around 20 years, firstly raising awareness, then raising funds and now as Volunteer Coordinator and Volunteer Support Officer.”
Tony says:
“As my wife’s carer for more than 35 years, I am full of admiration at the way she has fought to promote an increasing awareness of ME and the need for suitable treatment in Wales. Because she is seriously ill with ME herself, I felt that I had to do whatever I could to help her in her WAMES work. Over the years I have had many roles including Chair, Secretary, Publications Officer and magazine designer, plus I have also taken meeting minutes, designed leaflets and worked on the website.”
A big thanks to all our volunteers!
Mia, who is in charge of WAMES’ Instagram says:
“I volunteer because it allows me to share things that I wish I would have been able to see when I had ME. Feeling like you’re not alone can sometimes make things easier so I hope I’m able to do that for other people!”
Jan, Chair of WAMES says:
“For me WAMES is a ‘safe space’ to volunteer in. It took me years to accept that my brain and body couldn’t cope in an employment situation any longer. It is still disappointing if I miss a good opportunity, can’t meet a deadline or complete a task but it is good to know I can work in a team that understands, and that together we can still achieve something useful.”
WAMES – working for ME in Wales
WAMES is a national charity without a head office, and as we mainly work online, volunteers can be based anywhere in Wales.
Charity law has grown in the last 30 years and there are lots of rules and regulations to follow, which can feel like a burden when just trying to do something good to help people, but they are necessary to protect people and stop money from being stolen.
This means that, as well as the public roles, there are a number of support roles in the background for volunteers in finance and governance for even small charities like WAMES, and they are not always easy to fill.
Volunteering for a few hours a month is a small time commitment for an individual but can make a big difference to our ability to carry out WAMES’ activities.
Thank you also to our “small steps” volunteers who contribute in small ways without formally volunteering.
WAMES is currently looking for volunteers for the following roles:
WordPress / IT volunteers
– to help redesign and update our website
Treasurer
– we have a temporary Treasurer but urgently need a longer term one
Welsh Language volunteers
– many volunteers working in a team would ease the load for all!
Fundraising volunteers
Admin volunteers
– We will also never say no to another Admin volunteer to help lighten the load!
Can YOU help? There are many other ways you can support people with ME in Wales, so please ask! If you would like to volunteer with WAMES, please contact sharon@wames.org.uk for a chat.
