Zach Moss
30 April 2015
Volunteering in Trafford
Planning ahead for situations we may face further down the line has become part of life for many people. My Life, My Decision (MLMD)is a Big Lottery funded project to support people to plan ahead for their care and treatment in case they become unable to make decisions for themselves in the future. The project delivery is supported by our very capable and dedicated volunteers who are helping to make things happen! They assist us is raising the awareness of MLMD amongst community members and key stakeholders and supporting individuals who would like to complete Advance Decisions and Lasting Powers of Attorneys for Health and Welfare. Three of our volunteers at Age Uk Trafford have now completed all modules for their training, delivered by Esther Nimmo. Barbara Moore, Christine Turner and Chris Waddleton participated in 3 full days of learning but they all survived and made excellent contributions reflecting the wealth of experience they are bringing to the project. The training included an in depth understanding of the Advance Decisions and Lasting Powers of Attorney. A really useful part of the training included a section that allowed us to explore how we would face the challenge of ‘starting the conversation’ with a loved one or our doctor about our future care and treatment. I’d like to thank them all for their time and I look forward to working with them on the MLMD project. My role as Project Coordinator is picking up pace nearly 8 weeks in. A number of awareness raising talks have been given in various sheltered accommodation schemes and for many this has been a good way to start the conversation about planning ahead for their care and treatment in the future. MLMD is well placed to support people to take the next steps to gain more information and complete an Advance Decision, Advance Statement and/or a Lasting Power of Attorney for Health and Welfare.Mina, Project Coordinator in Trafford, tells us how the help of volunteers is making a difference in Trafford.