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Volunteer for Overcoming MS

Find out how you can support Overcoming MS so we can help more people live well with MS

There are many different and rewarding ways to volunteer for Overcoming MS and champion the Overcoming MS Program.

Overcoming MS is a community-focused and driven organisation, where individuals from our community generously volunteer their time and skills to help spread awareness of the Overcoming MS Program. Below, you can meet some of our dedicated volunteers and learn more about the various roles you can get involved with.

If you’re passionate about making a difference and have skills or ideas that don’t align with the roles listed, we would love to hear from you! There are always new ways to contribute to our mission, and we welcome your enthusiasm and initiative.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer email [email protected]g or click here to complete an application form.

Two women chatting at an Overcoming MS event

Why volunteer with Overcoming MS?

  • A fantastic opportunity to support the Overcoming MS community
  • Develop and learn new skills
  • Meet others in the MS community
  • Training opportunities
  • Support and guidance throughout your journey as a volunteer
  • Exclusive events for Overcoming MS volunteers
  • A volunteer expenses policy to ensure our volunteers are never out of pocket
  • A private community with other volunteers, to share your successes and ideas, and to support you in connecting globally with people living with MS

“Overcoming MS has given me a level of confidence and hope which I thought I would never get back. I want to support others to follow the evidence-based lifestyle Program and help them benefit at least as much as I do.”

Current Volunteer Roles

Become an Ambassador

Lead one of our support groups by becoming an Overcoming MS Ambassador. Learn more about Overcoming MS Ambassadors.

Podcast Transcriber Volunteer

Work with our Podcast Producer to transcribe our podcast episodes to make the show more accessible to all listeners.

Communications Advisory Group (CAG) Volunteer

Support the Overcoming MS Digital Team by providing recommendations and suggestions for their initiatives and programmes for the Overcoming MS and MS community. 

Volunteer role outlines

Ambassador role outline

Area: Community Engagement

Description: Overcoming MS Ambassadors facilitate a local community of people following the Overcoming MS Program called a ‘Circle’, an online space for members to support, encourage and connect with one another. By joining one of our Circles, those new to Overcoming MS will find guidance from their Ambassador and Circle in what is a crucial time to create lasting change.

Who you are working with: Community Engagement team and their Circle members

Time the role requires: Approximately 2 hours per week, dependent on Ambassador availability

Tasks and responsibilities required:

The role of an Ambassador is varied and dependent on the needs of the Circle, availability of the Ambassador and members, preferences and potentially how it has run in the past. All tasks and responsibilities revolve around informing, educating and supporting Circle members to follow the Program. The tasks and responsibilities generally include but are not limited to:

  • Running / managing the Circle online, through the Live Well Hub (our safe and private online community in which the Circles exist)
  • Managing new member requests and welcoming them to the Circle
  • 1-1 contact with Circle members where appropriate, should they require your support
  • Liaising with the Community and Events Coordinator (C&EC) when faced with tasks / issues outside of their capabilities
  • Flagging any safeguarding risks and anything else that raises concern to the C&EC
  • Arranging and hosting online and in-person (where appropriate) meet-ups for your Circle
  • Attending regular catch-ups over Zoom with the C&EC and other Ambassadors
  • Completing relevant training for the role

Ambassadors at times may be asked if they would like to support us further by volunteering in another capacity, for example, through writing a blog or supporting at an event. Ambassadors may also contact the C&EC themselves to offer their services if there is something specific they wish to be involved in. Please note, volunteers should not feel obliged to accept any further tasks or responsibilities such as these but are welcome to volunteer in other capacities should they so wish. In addition, if the Ambassador has any concerns relating to the tasks or responsibilities of their primary role, they should contact the C&EC to discuss. 

 

Desired skills and attributes

  • Following elements of the Overcoming MS Program for a minimum of 6 months
  • Experience of facilitating group sessions / group work
  • Good communication skills
  • Empathy and understanding
  • A can-do attitude and positive mindset
  • Ability to commit to supporting your Circle regularly with good time management skills
  • Open and comfortable talking about your MS diagnosis and experience of following the Program*
  • A desire to be an advocate for Overcoming MS and demonstrate Overcoming MS values
  • Basic IT skills including:
  • How to use ‘The Live Well Hub’ e.g. sharing resources, Overcoming MS updates
  • How to use ‘Zoom’ or other online video communication platform in order to host meetings

 

Please note that whilst most of our Ambassadors have lived experience of MS due to the nature of the role, there may be instances where this is not necessary due to the type of Circle e.g. for our Partner and Carer Circle.

 

For more information regarding our Ambassador role, please contact [email protected].

CAG member role outline

Area: Brand and digital

Description: Supporting the Digital team to ensure we are connected to the community and are creating content and digital products that work for our global community members. Providing your own thoughts and feedback on upcoming ideas and content.

Who you are working with: Digital team and other CAG team members

Time the role requires: Approximately 8 hours per year

Tasks and responsibilities:

Our CAG members, through their varied backgrounds, skills and expertise, provide the Digital team with invaluable support on upcoming projects related to brand, digital, and other related areas. The tasks and responsibilities generally include but are not limited to:

  • Attending meetings to discuss different areas of brand or digital (members are encouraged to attend meetings that are most relevant to their skills and interests
  • Providing thoughts on proposed content or digital ideas relevant to your interests and experience
  • Attending relevant training for the role

Please note, our meetings generally fall around 5pm UK time.

CAG members at times may be asked if they would like to support us further by volunteering in another capacity, for example, through writing a blog or supporting at an event. CAG members may also contact the Community Engagement or Digital team themselves to offer their services if there is something specific they wish to be involved in. Please note, volunteers should not feel obliged to accept any further tasks or responsibilities such as these but are welcome to volunteer in other capacities should they so wish. In addition, if the CAG member has any concerns relating to the tasks or responsibilities of their primary role, they should contact the Digital team to discuss. 

Desired skills and attributes:

  • Following elements of the Overcoming MS Program
  • Good communication skills
  • A can-do attitude and positive mindset
  • Basic IT skills
  • Understanding of digital marketing channels
    • OR understanding of branding
    • OR understanding of copywriting
    • OR understanding of the Overcoming MS Program

 

For more information regarding our Comms Advisory Group role, please contact [email protected].

Transcription Volunteer

Area: Brand and digital

Description: Supporting the Digital and Community Engagement team to ensure we are making our content as accessible as possible for all community members by creating written transcripts of Overcoming MS video and audio offerings. Our content includes but is not limited to podcasts and webinars.

Who you are working with: Podcast producer

Time the role requires: Variable depending on your availability, typically 1-2 hours per month

Tasks and responsibilities:

Our Transcription Volunteers provide the Digital and Community Engagement teams with invaluable support on editing AI-generated transcripts of video and audio content including podcast episodes and webinar playbacks. This may include:

  • Assigning speaker names
  • Editing for grammar, punctuation, spelling, and general readability
  • Paying special attention to medical and MS-specific vocabulary

Please note, this role can be done at any time as your schedule permits.

Transcription Volunteers may be asked if they would like to support us further by volunteering in another capacity, for example, through writing a blog or supporting an event. Transcription volunteers may also contact the Community Engagement or Digital team themselves to offer their services if there is something specific they wish to be involved in. Please note, volunteers should not feel obliged to accept any further tasks or responsibilities such as these but are welcome to volunteer in other capacities should they so wish. In addition, if the Transcription Volunteer has any concerns relating to the tasks or responsibilities of their primary role, they should contact the podcast producer to discuss. 

Desired skills and attributes:

  • Following elements of the Overcoming MS Program
  • Good written communication skills in English
  • A can-do attitude and positive mindset
  • Basic IT skills (previous experience with Otter.Ai is welcome but not essential)
    • Understanding of English grammar and spelling (UK or US)

 

For more information regarding our transcription volunteer role, please contact [email protected].

Meet some of our volunteers

Lorna – Video Editor

“Overcoming MS has had a hugely positive impact on my life so I jumped at the chance to become an Overcoming MS volunteer because I saw it as an opportunity to give something back.

I think volunteering can be one of the most rewarding things you can do. You can help make a difference, and you can gain confidence and learn new skills along the way.”

 

Pat – Overcoming MS Ambassador

“My MS diagnosis upended my life, and traditional allopathic treatment left me feeling like a bystander to my own health. Then I read Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis book by Professor George Jelinek. It taught me how to be an active participant in my health to move the odds in my favor to successfully manage it.

I’ve never looked back and now gain so much from being an Ambassador.”

 

Lori – Comms Volunteer

“When I learned more about Overcoming MS and that they were seeking volunteers, I raised my hand! With my professional career in digital marketing and my passion for helping others with MS, I feel truly blessed to be able to volunteer as a consultant to the Overcoming MS Digital team.

I am also leading their Communications Advisory Group. I feel so fortunate to have this opportunity to help spread their message of hope while living with MS.”

Tessa – Overcoming MS Ambassador

“I went to my first group meeting to see what it was all about and if it would help me. The friendliness, positivity and warmth, was uplifting. We shared our stories and I felt empowered that there was something that made sense. The support material from the Overcoming MS website helped and it was great to be in a place where people understood how I felt.

I am now the South Devon Overcoming MS Ambassador. I like being able to make a difference to people’s lives and I am enjoying a sense of purpose and support.”

Volunteer Sue standing in a field on a sunny day

Sue – Overcoming MS Ambassador

“After attending an Overcoming MS event in Brighton in 2013 where I met others who were really positive about the programme, I started volunteering informally by getting together a small group to share food and support each other.

It was amazing. Soon we were meeting every month, in my house or garden. We became the Hampshire Circle, and we support and encourage each other however we can. It’s fantastic to see people living so well despite an MS diagnosis. I would encourage anyone to start or join a Circle and maintain contact with others following the programme.  We’re all very flexible.  There’s no one approach that suits everyone. Just do what feels right to you and your Circle and Live Well!”