Muzher, Crohn's & Colitis UK Volunteer
Creating awareness of early diagnosis is so important. The sooner you're diagnosed the sooner you can begin treatment, make possible changes to your lifestyle, and most importantly begin to understand and accept why you feel the way you feel.
“Creating awareness of early diagnosis is so important. The sooner you're diagnosed the sooner you can begin treatment, make possible changes to your lifestyle, and most importantly begin to understand and accept why you feel the way you feel. There's not much worse than being chronically ill without any explanation.
Because I have Crohn's myself, I believe I can tap into the experiences I have living with Crohn's - especially through my teenage years - to help support others with the condition. At the same time, I'm sure I can learn plenty from other volunteers too.
Whilst I don't dwell on mistakes made in the past, I do wish I had started volunteering with Crohn’s & Colitis UK much sooner. I'd recommend it to everyone. It does take a bit of energy and commitment, but I feel you get more than enough back. Everyone involved is very supportive and understanding, especially with new folks.”
Hannah, Crohn's & Colitis UK Volunteer
I really enjoy volunteering; it never feels like a job – I look forward to it! I will soon be hosting an online event of my own and this experience has empowered me. I have become more passionate about breaking the invisible barriers – especially in the workplace.
“By volunteering as a virtual social event host, I feel part of a community that are there to support each other. I really enjoy volunteering; it never feels like a job – I look forward to it! I will soon be hosting an online event of my own and this experience has empowered me. I have become more passionate about breaking the invisible barriers – especially in the workplace.
I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis 9 years ago in November 2013 and Crohn’s & Colitis UK was the only real source of information I had at the time. There wasn’t a lot of people talking about it online and I felt really alone.
Early diagnosis is really important. Before I was diagnosed, I didn’t act on my symptoms for months thinking they would go away, which of course they didn’t. So, I ended up a lot more ill and in hospital for 2 weeks. Whereas if I had known about the symptoms of Crohn’s and Colitis – I would have gone to my doctor sooner.”
Michael, Crohn's & Colitis UK Volunteer
It means a huge amount to me personally because of the difficult time I had early in my diagnosis journey. If one person finds what we do as volunteers helpful for their own personal journey, then that's a big win.
“To mark Crohn's and Colitis Awareness Week, our Local Network we are running a stand at Milton Keynes Hospital in conjunction with their fantastic IBD Nursing Team to engage with patients, visitors, and staff.
It means a huge amount to me personally because of the difficult time I had early in my diagnosis journey. If one person finds what we do as volunteers helpful for their own personal journey, then that's a big win.
I encourage anyone to get involved because even the smallest contribution you can make as a volunteer, may help someone hugely. Even if you don’t think you have time to volunteer, why not give it a shot, the networks would love more volunteers to help out and there's many different volunteering roles to suit the level of contribution you can offer.”
Want to volunteer with us?
Volunteering is a great way to meet new people, develop new skills and make a difference to everyone affected by Crohn's and Colitis.
