To mark Volunteers’ Week 2025, we’re celebrating the people who generously share their time and talents with MD Support Centre. We spoke to four of our volunteers about what they do, how it’s enriched their lives, and what they’d say to anyone thinking about getting involved.

James Mackay is the Founder and CEO of Copychomp, a copywriting and design agency. He uses his professional expertise volunteering to support our email newsletters.

“I got involved after meeting Sarah, the CEO, at a local tennis club,” James explains. “She told me about the work MD Support Centre was doing and mentioned needing help refreshing the newsletter. I jumped at the chance.

“One of my first clients was Toby Mildon, an EDI consultant with Spinal Muscular Atrophy. We worked together for years, and I was really inspired by his resilience. Volunteering for MD Support Centre felt like a homage to him.”

Reading our old newsletters and magazines sealed the deal. “The stories of how people showed up for each other really hit me. I thought, if I can help tell those stories, even just a few times a year, then that’s worthwhile.

“It’s rewarding. I feel like I’m making a small difference. If one person reads the newsletter and feels more connected or finds something helpful, that’s enough for me.”

James encourages others to get involved, no matter their skillset. “If you’re already thinking about working with MD Support Centre, it sounds like you’re the kind of person who naturally wants to do some good and make a positive impact on people. So, all I’d have to say is ‘do it’. Whatever you bring to the table, your skills are valuable and someone out there will benefit from your involvement.”

Volunteering to lead the Knitter Natter group has helped Clair McHale find confidence, friendships, and satisfaction.

“I’ve met some lovely people I wouldn’t have met had this not happened,” she says. “Even just meeting one new person and having that connection – that’s enough for me.”

A former hairdressing teacher, Clair has always loved helping others learn. “There’s an immense amount of satisfaction in teaching someone something new. One lady picked it up really quickly, and when she came back with her first scarf, I felt so proud.”

Volunteering has also helped Clair rebuild something she’d lost. “I’d lost a lot of confidence over time, and when I was first asked to run a group, I was unsure at first. But I’m glad I did. It’s grown slowly and naturally, and it’s been lovely.”

What makes the group so special, she says, is shared understanding. “When you’ve got a disability or use a wheelchair, you don’t always feel ‘normal.’ But here, you do. You’re not the odd one out. Everyone just gets it.

“I love coming here, and if I can give anything back to this place, I’ll do it willingly.”

Mark Thompson helps at reception, supports the Adapting to Change group, and takes part in focus groups and events.

“When I heard about the idea for the Adapting to Change group, it just seemed to make loads of sense to me,” he says. “When I chat with people at the centre, I’m often left thinking, ‘That was a good conversation. I wish we had more time.’”

The group offers a space to share personal experiences and practical tips on the changes that come with muscular dystrophy. Mark helps coordinate the sessions but enjoys stepping back during them. “I try and make sure people are communicating and we’ve made the right decisions. But during the sessions, I like listening and learning.

“I’ve learned so much from fellow service users. There are so many battles with disability in general, and muscular dystrophy in particular. It’s a real battle with a changing condition. Some of the support you get from people who’ve been through similar things is just of a different order.”

He also takes part in focus groups and has spoken with funders during evaluations, drawing on his own background in running small charities. “I just know that people helping out a bit makes a big difference,” he says.

Mark is motivated by a deep appreciation for mutual support. “I really like the sense of being active and useful, and using the experiences I’ve had in my life as a resource for other people, but on a very mutual basis.”

To anyone considering volunteering, Mark says: “Give it a go. It’s a friendly and supportive space to be in. If you can work that into your day or your week, then do it. You’ll probably almost certainly get more out of it than you put into it.”

Grace Kabinga is a physiotherapist at our Leicester satellite clinic. With over 12 years of experience in neurorehabilitation, including humanitarian work in North Korea, she brings skill, passion and perspective.

“My reason for volunteering is rooted in a desire to support those facing long-term health challenges,” she says. “As a physio, it’s deeply motivational to be part of a service user’s journey to empower them to manage a progressive condition like muscular dystrophy.”

Her full-time role at the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre is fast-paced and often focused on short-term outcomes. Volunteering at MD Support Centre gives her something different. “It provides a valuable opportunity to give back to the community while also growing personally. It reinforces the importance of compassion, patience, and continuity of care.”

Grace values the chance to build relationships over time. “MD Support Centre provides an environment where I can engage with service users over an extended period, support them in a holistic manner, and help maintain function, improve comfort, and enhance overall quality of life.

“Hearing service users express that our input has made their day a little easier is incredibly rewarding. It serves as a powerful source of motivation and reminds me why I became a physio in the first place.”

Inspired to get involved?

Contact getintouch@mdsupportcentre.org today to find out more.