MEETINGS August 15th

My voluntary work was a saviour and gave me a brand new purpose in life to continue to help people with disabilities and their carers. I was now able to attend meetings without worry, of being out too long, to eat when and what I wanted, and to make decisions. After a time my confidence improved so much that instead of just attending meetings I was able to make a much more positive impact by giving my opinions, or reservations as the subject warranted.

I became a representative on sub-committees of Eastbourne Homes and Eastbourne Borough Council purely to keep in touch with all issues and regulations that affect the day to day lives of people who suffer from all aspects of disability.  Authorities on the whole do not receive enough education on the needs of certain sections of society, disabled and older people being a major factor. It is heartening now that we are asked to give our views on services and personal experiences and that these are taken seriously and investigated.

As a founder member of the MORE Club Middle of the Road Eastbourne in 1979 a social club for People who suffer from all types and degree of physical disability on becoming single again I was now free to commit more time to that aspect of my voluntary work. The local branch of the Multiple Sclerosis Society also benefitted from my knowledge and physical input in various capacities 1979 – 2003 Hon Secretary and Chair being two until an able successor took over and I could then concentrate on managing the MORE Club as Chair when we celebrated our 30^th Anniversary in 2009 retiring as Chair Person in 2011.

During my 32 years working voluntarily for the MORE Club we have maintained a membership of approximately 60 members losing many much loved friends along the way. We have always tried to keep a family atmosphere with the caring aspect to the fore-front sharing one another’s problems and giving emotional support where we can. Raising money to pay for our own transport and club running expenses has taken its toll as we have had to be entirely self funding all these years with the exception of donations from friends and local sources.