After diagnosis most neurologists give information about the local support available from the MND Association Visitors.
With permission, an informal referral is made to the AV co-ordinator.
A Visitor will then make contact and arrange either a visit, a meeting whether in person or via a video call or simply a follow up email or phone call. The method and timing of this is very much arranged to suit the wishes of the person(s) involved.
10
We have Ten (10) fully trained AV’s in our team in
Mid Kent
Join us ….
What sort of training/induction will I receive before starting?
Annette Scott – Eve Ovenden – Linda Blagden
Julie Quinn – Sheila Thompson – Kathy Hales
Julie Daniels – Joyce Onslow – Jean Lear
Susan Wootten
We welcome referrals for people with a confirmed diagnosis of MND or Kennedy’s disease. Wherever possible, these should be made by a health and social care professional … Read More.
Simply talking with your Visitor and knowing that there is someone at the end of the phone often helps relieve the feeling of desperate isolation which can overwhelm people when they have just found out that they have MND. The AV is there to know your personal circumstances and situation, which can be difficult for Health & Social Care Professionals to have the time to do.
They are someone you can turn to in a difficult situation or to help you have / consider some of the hard decisions that need to be made through your journey with MND. Your AV can help you navigate the information out there to find what is right and relevant for you; they are someone for you to offload your worries or frustrations to, tell you what you qualify for and what grants and benefits are available, help you with filling in any necessary forms and then fast-tracking them, or simply offer assistance in how to manage life following a diagnosis.
It’s so comforting to know the Association visitor is always at the end of a line to give support, advice, encouragement and friendship at this time when we need it the most.
Many years ago, our very first AV said she wanted to help people keep one step ahead. Care and equipment needed to sometimes changed very rapidly. Your AV can help anticipate this in such a way that whatever is needed is provided in a timely way.
Your AV will let you know how the MND Association can be helpful; when and where meetings are held, how to make financial aid requests or how to access specialised equipment and much more. They can also help by acting as an advocate and will make requests for specific funding to the Branch Committee which meets each month.
We want you always to feel free to be able to ask your Visitor for assistance with items not generally available through the statutory services, including care lines, transport, counselling, massages, driving assessments, etc. There are many things you simply won’t think of until they are upon you – and then it is always helpful to know there is someone who can understand how to navigate and act timely on your behalf.
I can quite confidently say my MND Association Visitor has given me confidence and the support to live as normal life as possible with MND.
The Branch is able to provide equipment which is either not available or not available quickly enough from statutory services. A riser-recliner chair or a motorised scooter, for instance, can usually be made available very quickly – but is always done in conjunction with the Occupational Therapist. Similarly, the provision of a communication aid which may be accessed from an MND Association supply held nationally will be made at the request of the Speech & Language Therapist.
The carers and families are very much at the forefront of the AVs mind because they too experience MND – as well as having the physical and emotional strains involved in caring for a loved one. Simply being able to get away and have a break may seem daunting, but there are a range of resources out there they can make this happen and take away unnecessary burdens. Our AVs are there to guide you and will let you know about Quality-of-Life grants for you and your loved ones.
This service is provided totally free, and to whatever frequency you feel you want. All AVs are well trained and experienced to ensure you have the best possible service from the Branch.
Annette Scott
Chair
Meet our amazing team
What you can expect from your Visitor
Free and confidential emotional support for as long as it is required
Practical advice and accurate information that is tailored to meet your individual needs and at a time when you request it
Knowledge of the effects of the disease and how the Association can help
Message from Annette (Chair)
“Another huge reason for celebration is the news that Kelly Chubb have been appointed to be Specialist Care Co-ordinators for Medway and West Kent. This is something the branch has been campaigning for, for many, many years and now at long last people in this area will experience the benefits of having co-ordinated care from a specialist practitioner. I cannot say how thrilled I am that we have this provision but it is made even better knowing we have two outstanding people to support us. So, welcome Maria and Kelly I am sure we will keep you busy”.
Have you thought about being one of our AV’s … Association Visitor – Mid Kent
Do you enjoy listening to and helping people? Are you looking for a volunteering role where you can do just that, and fits in around your family, studies or other commitments? By becoming an Association Visitor and donating your time, energy and skills, you can make a real difference to the lives of people affected by MND. We are looking for volunteers in the Medway, Maidstone, Sittingbourne and surrounding Mid Kent areas … Read More …