Macmillan Solutions Newsletter
Hello there,
Over the last few months our volunteers have been engaged in many different activities to support people affected by cancer which include befriending, cleaning, marketing, recording memories, shopping, telephone support, training, helping with transport and celebrating achievements at our Volunteer Event in February.
Our Volunteer Appreciation Event was held on Thursday 1st February 2018 7pm-10.30pm at The Castlefield Rooms in Manchester. Live music was provided by Paige Simpson, a young musician who played guitar and sang beautifully throughout the evening. There was a delicious buffet enjoyed by everyone, Volunteer lead presentations from Juanita’s team, Val, Audrey and Lara to share examples about volunteering at Wai Yin, Recording Memories Project and the Practical and Emotional Support offered to people affected by cancer. Our special celebrity guest, Jenny Powell provided an entertaining presentation of certificates to our VIP Volunteers. Thank you to everyone for all the contributions over the year and especially to those who planned and contributed lots more on this event.
Our first Induction to Volunteering this year, took place on Saturday 10th February at Northmoor Community Centre, where interested people took part in finding out more about Macmillan Solutions and the variety of roles that volunteers are engaged in. The next one is Saturday 7th July 10-12.30.. Further training events are planned from Recording Memories in April & May to First Aid and Cancer Awareness. We are also expanding Recording Memories Project to include our Wai Yin and delivering training now.
In March, our Volunteer Val gave a Presentation about Recording Memories to the Palliative Care Link Group (made up of health and social care professionals). Val played clips from CD’s that people had put together with volunteer support of some fantastic memories of growing up in rural Ireland, and a husband and wife’s memories of how they met. The clips really helped to bring the shared stories to life and make it enjoyable to listen. The group are keen to introduce the Recording Memories Project to their patients.
We make links with lots of other services including Janet Carson from the NHS has started a Bereavement Support Group which takes place on the first Wednesday of the month 2-4pm in the Family Café at Tesco’s, Gorton; next one Wed 4th July. If you know of any service or person who would like to find out more, please get in touch with us for further details.
One of our corporate teams Lloyds Bank will be offering their services to a family who need their home brightening up by painting 4 rooms in their home in June. We really appreciate the time offered and want to continue involving organisations in giving us a ‘Helping Hand’. A lady that we supported in south Manchester with painting and befriending called Mary, told us about the volunteer who has helped her at a time of loss. “What I needed most at first was to get out and visit some green places to help me gain confidence. Lesley is good company; we have a nice balance of listening and talking and I feel valued as a person – which has been, and still is, important”.
If you want to volunteer or find out about the services Macmillan Solutions offer contact Paula on 07710249207, pop into Northmoor Community Centre or email macmillannorthmoor@audaciouschurch.com, or try www.macmillansolutions.org.uk.
