A UK charity is seeking a friendly, organised volunteer to help relaunch a vital support group across Hertfordshire.
Support Group Relaunch
The PSP Association (PSPA) is determined to bring this essential service back to the local community, following the closure of the county's previous dedicated support group during the Covid lockdown. The charity is ideally looking to base the new group in St Albans or Welwyn Garden City, though locations such as Potters Bar or Hatfield will also be considered, depending on where the successful volunteer is located.
Purpose of the Group
The aim of the support group is to provide a regular, safe space for families affected by two terminal neurological conditions: Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) and Corticobasal Degeneration (CBD). As rare conditions affecting approximately 10,000 people across the UK, families living with a diagnosis can often feel isolated and unsupported. PSPA aims to re-establish the Hertfordshire support group to help reduce this isolation, bringing families together for peer-to-peer support, regular condition-specific information and updates, and vital links into local services.
Volunteer Role
Full training, guidance, and regular support will be provided by the charity. Interested volunteers will need to donate up to four hours a month to help set up and run the support group. Key tasks will include:
- Sourcing an accessible venue within Hertfordshire for meetings
- Organising and facilitating regular meetings, including arranging local speakers and/or activities for group members
- Promoting the support group locally to ensure PSPA reaches as many affected families as possible
- Providing a link between members of the local PSP and CBD community and the national charity
Ideal Candidate
No specific professional qualifications are required, though the ideal candidates should be:
- Empathetic listeners with strong communication skills
- Organised, reliable, and passionate about community building
- Familiar with the Hertfordshire area and its local communities
- Able to commit to providing up to four hours of support each month
- Willing to learn more about PSP and CBD
Charity Comment
"Feedback from our community highlights just how much families would welcome the return of a support group to Hertfordshire," says Lavonne McCormack, PSPA’s volunteer co-ordinator. "We now need the help of a local volunteer to become the support group co-ordinator, to get this group off the ground. Their support will allow us to extend PSPA’s reach back into the county, providing a lifeline to those who need it. These are incredibly rewarding roles that will allow you to truly make a difference to people in your local community."
How to Apply
For more information about the two volunteer roles PSPA is seeking, please visit: www.pspassociation.org.uk/volunteering/. Alternatively, Lavonne is on hand for an informal chat about the requirements of each role on 01327 356137. For more information please visit www.pspassociation.org.uk.
