By Stacey Foster, Support Group Coordinator
Anytime I can visit with a Support Group or SGL either online or in person, I am happy! Thank you for having me, I enjoy meeting you all.
Starting off the year, I visited Albury-Wodonga Support Group online and share information of who Parkinson’s NSW is and how we support people living with Parkinson’s and their families. There were some great questions around nurses and current research opportunities. Thank you for having me! The Support Group is very well led by Leanne Torpy, a Nurse Continence Specialist with Albury Wodonga Health. Leanne has a good team of health professionals around her too. Thank you for the work you all do running this Support Group!
Also in February, I visited Goulburn and Illawarra North Support Groups.
In Goulburn, I joined Parkinson’s Nurse, Lauren Hogan. I gave a brief overview of Parkinson’s NSW and Lauren spoke on the importance of exercise. It was great to see many people at the meeting and asking Lauren further questions about exercise and even her role as a nurse in the community. After a year of communicating with leaders Mick and Gill and assistant leader, Warwick either over email or online, it was wonderful to meet them in person. They are doing an excellent job whilst juggling many other pursuits and challenges. I extend my thanks to their new Treasurer, Rob Edwards for coming on board and supporting the leadership team.
Rounding out the month was my visit to Illawarra North. The purpose of my visit was to support outgoing SG leader, Sue Sarlos and the SG in transitioning to new leadership. It was wonderful to meet Sue and Jill (SG treasurer) in person, as well as the rest of the group. It was a very hot and humid day but we managed (I think!). A big thank you to Jill, Sue B, Trish and Lynda who all volunteered and are dividing the tasks amongst themselves to create a strong leadership team.
Before I go, I wanted to bring your attention to National Volunteer Week 20 – 26 May. It’s the celebration of volunteers in Australia and provides an opportunity to highlight the important role of volunteers in our community. This year’s theme is ‘Something for Everyone’.
I look forward to celebrating with our volunteers that make up the Support Group Leaders and Teams in May
