Volunteering

You may occasionally have encountered a large blue smurf pushing a wheelbarrow around the NMC grounds.

If you take a closer look it could actually be my good-self decked out in bobble-hat, wellies and a blue Barclays Tee-shirt. It pays to dress for every type of weather if you spend any length of time outdoors. Sunglasses and a cagoule are also essentials!

I have been a Barclays Volunteer for at least the last 10 years (probably a lot more) and have worked at various local charities and schools. I have undertaken projects including refurbishing a small-pets enclosure (the pets were on holiday for the day), hand-painting a mural of Noah’s Ark, cutting up cheese and buttering baguettes, serving up portions of Irish Stew, door-steward at Chester Cathedral and last but not least Gardening.

I have learnt many important life-skills over the years:
• If you drop a mobile phone into a 5 litre bucket of magnolia emulsion, no amount of rubbing with a wet rag will restore the phone to its former glory.
• When you and several colleagues are all at the top of pairs of steps ladders, one of the things you don’t want to see at the bottom is an over-excited mouse looking for a convenient exit.
• Mushroom Risotto, if stirred for long enough, is an effective facial sauna.
• If you cut up enough brie you can become lactose- intolerant.
• There is always a nettle or something with thorns in every pile of garden rubbish.
• Wheelbarrow tyres always go flat just when you have a heavy load to move.
• Secateurs have a life of their own and are never where you last saw them.

Many of the people who accompany me on volunteering events are serial offenders and I am lucky that we all seem to want to put in some hard-work, have a laugh together and eat lots of the lovely sandwiches the NMC provide for us. On the odd occasion where some-one has just turned up “for a day off work” they have not returned for a second visit. It has been a pleasure to show my colleagues around the NMC and for them to see and feel a part of the excellent work that goes on there. Many had never have heard of Muscular Dystrophy or the NMC to begin with but over the years they have seen first-hand the difference that practical support can make to people’s lives.

Barclays provides up to £500 funding for every event that comprises of 5 or more members of staff and although the application process can be a little problematic we have always got there – thanks to Claire in the NMC office.  Volunteering allows people to grow in confidence and form bonds with people they would not encounter in their everyday life. It broadens your knowledge and outlook and genuinely gives you a “feel-good factor”. It doesn’t really matter what you do, there is always fun to be had out there and a good cause that will benefit from your help.

Gardening

Gardening is a lovely hobby and pastime. It gets you outdoors and gives you that all important vitamin D boost, something that people with neuromuscular conditions are often lacking in. Also, there’s nothing quite like seeing the fruits of your labour!

When you have a disability, it can be more difficult to enjoy pottering in the garden. However, in most instances with some adaptations it can be done. Whether it’s the equipment that you use or the way in which your garden is set up, there are ways around it. And with some help from a PA, friend or family member you are ready to go!

Sometimes standard tools can be adapted and sometimes it might be better to buy something more specialised. When you have a disability it’s important to try and reduce the effort involved, as you don’t want to tire yourself out and overdo it. If more specialist tools can reduce the effort on your part then it is worth paying that bit more.

Equipment and Tools

• Make sure you use the right   tools for the job and try and   choose lightweight tools.
• Think of how you might carry   your tools, in your wheelchair,   scooter etc.
• Choose tools with longer  handles to avoid  over-reaching.
• Think of the grip. Some grips   are made from soft materials and some have extra wide   handles.
• Adapt your tools. You can make standard tools easier to   use by putting some plumber’s insulating tubing   over the handle.

Find a way that works for you. You may have to break down tasks into small achievable steps. Yes it might take you longer but does it matter. You will achieve an end result. Garden Layout Whether your garden is small or large, it can be enjoyed. You may have moved into a new property and therefore have a blank canvas. For most though, we inherit our gardens but with a bit of thought and ingenuity adaptations can be made so that we can all enjoy our garden. Think of the layout and accommodating as many senses as possible. Consider real grass, artificial grass, paving slabs, raised beds, pots and planters, plants and shrubs, a water feature, bird boxes/bird table. Some things are more costly than others. You can reduce the chances of weeds growing in your garden by covering the soil with a weed suppressing membrane and/ or a thick layer of mulch. Do remember to keep paths clear whether you are ambulant or in a wheelchair or scooter. Raised flower beds Containers or large areas that bring the planting area off the ground, making it easier to reach the soil for planting, weeding and watering. This is ideal if you have a disability particularly if you garden from a wheelchair or scooter. Garden Furniture and Seating This is another important consideration. You might stay in your wheelchair or scooter or you might transfer to a garden chair or bench. Adapted picnic benches are available and here at NMC and we have our very own one built by the NMC Shed Club! Enjoy the garden! The key is to accept that some things might be difficult or not practical for you to do. You may not be able to stand up and dig a vegetable patch but there plenty of other things that you can do. Ask for help. Share the enjoyment with your PA, family member or friend. For example you could choose the plants and explain where you would like them planted and your PA could help put them in. You will have much enjoyment watching them grow and feel a sense of achievement.

Simply “Being” If you simply enjoy just sitting and relaxing in the garden, think of all your senses, smell, sound and sight. Think about having a bird feeder and maybe a small water feature – there’s nothing more relaxing than the sound of water. Enjoy the perfume and colour of the flowers and plants. You can enjoy your garden all year round, just wrap up warm.

The Mobile Garden

This originally started as a creative, versatile solution to the problem of any gardener, who has become less able through age or infirmity, to enjoy their favoured pastime. It is suitable for use all year round, indoors or outdoors.  The Mobile Garden workstation is constructed in polypropylene; a durable, light weight and non- perishable material which requires no maintenance; the main, circular, planting tray of The Mobile Garden is 1.2 meters in diameter and 15cm deep with drainage holes in the base and a central divider. tel 0773 398 3768 or visit: www.mobilegarden.co.uk  

Gardening for Disabled Trust

Don’t let disability, age or accident stop you. We can help by: - Adapting private  gardens to meet the special    needs of the disabled  gardener - Making grants towards tools,    paving, raised beds,  wheelchair access and    greenhouses for disabled  gardeners.  - Providing a forum for  disabled gardeners by  publishing the Garden Club’s magazine. www.gardeningfordisabledtrust.org.uk 

Thrive

Thrive is a national charity that helps people with a disability to start or continue gardening. The website contains lots of information on how to make gardening jobs easier and details of equipment and tools that might help you. www.thrive.org.uk

Carry on Gardening

Lots of advice and tips for disabled gardeners, whether you are gardening from a wheelchair, have a weak grip, are one-handed, can’t bend down very easily, are partially sighted, have had a stroke…. www.carryongardening.org.uk

Peta (UK) Limited

They design, manufacture and supply ergonomic tools, aids and assistance devices for disabled people including garden tools. www.peta-uk.com

Royal Horticultural Society

Sharing the best in gardening - www.rhs.org.uk