Katy Styles, Campaigns Contact for East Kent? Group, is investigating democratic bodies that exist locally which could be of benefit to people living with MND. Katy took information provided by the central campaigns team at a campaigning workshop, and looked online to see what had been set up locally. She found that a new Healthwatch body had been set up for Kent, and went along to one of its meetings, to see what it was like. She?s also written to the chair of the new health and wellbeing board set up in her county council, and plans to talk to the elected governors at her local hospital too. By raising awareness of MND amongst local decision makers, Katy is helping to protect and secure services people with the disease rely on.

Katy is also organising local screenings of the MND awareness film I Am Breathing, her first being at a local hospital for about 25 health and social care professionals. She described organising it as ?probably the most worthwhile thing I?ve ever done in my life!?

Katy said, ?How can I get you to campaign and raise awareness of MND? It?s easy. You can bake a cake and raise money for MND. Or you can bake a cake, give out a leaflet and persuade someone to sign the Charter all at the same time. Simples!

Campaigning is one positive thing I can do to support people living with MND, like my husband. By speaking to county councillors, I am making sure MND is discussed by local decision makers who commission services.

One thing I have learnt is that everything takes longer than you might think. You need tons of patience. Patience waiting for replies to emails, letters and phone calls. If you get a reply you don?t like, then you have to change tack and think of another approach and keep going!?

To view more Campaigns Contacts case studies click here

Taken from the association web site? http://www.mndassociation.org/get-involved/volunteering/volunteering-case-studies/katys-volunteering-story/