Tony's Volunteer Story

joined by Tony, who is one of our virtual talk and support group volunteers. Um, thanks for talking to me today, Tony. Um, can I ask? Hi. Hi

Can I ask you what motivated you to become a volunteer? And how's it going for you so far? Um, what mo motivated? Michelle was in 2017. I contracted encephalitis and, as a result, became epileptic. Um, I hadn't had any serious illnesses up until that time

I was 59 and I found it to be a bit of a life changing experience. It took me several years to get anywhere near back to normal. Um, which I apart from daily medication? I am now, but, uh, having sort of gone through what I went through, I'd like to try and help other people who are experiencing similar things

Really? How are you finding volunteering, then? Yeah, I'm quite enjoying it. I mean, um, we don't do many, uh uh, sessions. I'm probably doing about two a month because of other commitments, but some of the positive feedback, uh, we've received have been very, very gratifying

You know, a lot of people I've found seem to think they're in a small minority? Well, illness minority. But they don't know anybody with epilepsy, or they don't know anybody who, Um They care for people with epilepsy, and, uh, they find it quite rewarding to listen to people who have experienced similar things as themselves. Yeah

So what? Um, what kind of things happen in the group, then what do you do as a virtual talk and support group volunteer? Well, normally there's there's two of us, uh, conducting the group, um, group hosts. And, uh, we introduce ourselves, uh, let the audience know why we're there, our experience with epilepsy. And then we let the audience, uh, tell a little bit about themselves, why they're there, what they hope to gain from the session

Then we just go around the group. You know, asking them if anybody's got any questions and is a discussion takes place from then on. Great

So what difference do you think? Um, that your volunteering role makes to the to you and to also people in the group. Um, well, to me, it's nice to give something back. It was, as I said before, it was a long struggle to get anywhere near back to normal

for me, Uh, what I call normal and I think similarly for people who are in the group, uh, they often feel that they're just alone in a bit of a a minority. And, having having the chance to talk to people in similar situations makes them realise that, um, you know, they're not alone. Uh, and there's some positive out outlooks ahead

Yeah. Great. Um, so how does volunteering make you feel then? Um, like I said, I got a lot of support from members of the family, but other people when I was sick

And, um, I felt that, uh, I feel fully recovered now. I'm still on daily medication, obviously, but to other aspects of life, it's normal. I'm driving and everything

And, um, it's I feel like I want to give something back to other people who are struggling in a similar way to how I was when I became epileptic. Yeah. So do you think, um, volunteering kind of supports your well being? Yes, it does

To a degree. Yeah. It's nice to be able to give something back

I say I've I've come through a long, dark passage in my life, and I've come out the other end. And if I can help people do that, then it's I find it beneficial myself. Yeah

So it sounds like you've had some per a lot of personal challenges. Um, in your life. What do you think? Have you had any, um, challenges with volunteering? Um, not really

It's it's it's tough to get to know. I mean, I'm a retired man now, So, um, you know, uh, all the stuff I used to know as an engineer, um, sort of. I've forgotten that

So it's a bit of a learning curve, but, um, you know, there's there's no pressure, uh, to do things with epilepsy action, which is the one of the things I I like. I enjoy that. So we just have to learn as we go along

And, um, so far so good, you know, everything's going well. Well, I'm glad to hear that. Um, what would you say to, um, anyone else who was unsure about whether to volunteer? I would say Give it a go, because it's very relaxed

You know, there's there's no, uh, pressure on you. You only do what you you feel you can do, you know and If you want to take a break at any time, then they're more than happy to give you a break. And I it's I enjoy doing it

It's nice to give something back. And when you conduct a, um uh, a chat with other people and you haven't got to do anything, they're all talking amongst themselves, which is a good thing. They're getting things off their chest, you know, discussion area discussing their issues

Then you know you're doing something. Well, something beneficial for other people in a similar situation to how you've you've been yourself. Yeah, it's Yeah, it's good in the groups, and people are just chatting away And you, you know, they're getting a lot out of it

Yeah. So, what are you looking forward to in the future? As a volunteer? I'm happy what I'm doing. What I'm doing at the moment, Michelle, Um you know, uh, just really to help people have a chat, you know, discuss their issues

The positive feedback we've been getting sometimes and people who have said they all they felt all alone and having discussed the things with people in similar situations is very gratifying for me, and I'm just happy to carry on doing what I'm doing. Well, that's good to hear. Um, and we appreciate all the things that you do, and I'm glad to hear that you want to carry on doing it

Um, so it's, uh, been so nice to talk to you today, Tony, And thank you very much for sharing your volunteer story. Uh, with me. Um, so Yeah

Great. Thank you. It's a pleasure

Thank you very much. See you later. Bye now

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