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Welcome to May's Volunteer Network News
Hello,
In this edition, we celebrate some support group anniversaries and reveal how you can join us to celebrate Volunteers’ Week. There’s also an update on the recent volunteer engagement survey and the Better Bones campaign.
As always, we welcome your stories and photos for VNN, so please keep sending your updates and letting us know what you’ve been up to.
With best wishes,
Helen, Fiona, and Lorna.
Your ROS Volunteering and Public Engagement team.
Victory for the Better Bones campaign
We’re delighted to share we’ve had a big win in our Better Bones campaign.
Victoria Atkins (Conservative Health Secretary at the time of writing) promised in Parliament to extend Fracture Liaison Services (FLS) to all 42 Integrated Care Systems in England by 2030. The Sunday Express and the Daily Mail then reported Shadow Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, had matched this commitment, meaning both main parties of Government are now pledging universal FLS coverage. The Liberal Democrats have also shown their support throughout the campaign.
ROS CEO Craig Jones said: “This is the biggest policy breakthrough people with osteoporosis have ever had. At last, the tragedy of preventable fractures has been recognised by both parties of Government, and a shared commitment has been made for universal services to diagnose people early.
"We’re not stopping there. Now we have mandates for better osteoporosis care in England and Wales, we’ll be putting the spotlight onto Scottish and Northern Irish Ministers next. Meanwhile, we’re making the case for a national screening programme to prevent 8,000 broken hips every year, which is urgently needed to change and save lives.”
Find out more at theros.org.uk/fls
Results of the annual volunteer survey
Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete our annual volunteer survey. Overall, the feedback was incredibly positive. One of the stand-out results was how much more active you have been over the past year. Thank you to everyone for their ongoing commitment to the ROS; your enthusiasm is clear to see!
There were notable increases in activity across all areas of volunteering, but a significant uplift in face-to-face community activity, including distributing ROS information (up by 9%) and community awareness stands, events and presentations (up by 8-9%).
The survey also showed positive increases in the percentage of volunteers feeling they have the opportunity to learn and try new things while volunteering. This was up by 17% since 2021, and there was an increase in the percentage of respondents “strongly agreeing” they feel proud to volunteer for the ROS (up 5% on last year).
The survey also identified some financial and tech-related challenges for our volunteers involved in organising support groups. After further consultation, we have now established a working group with volunteers and staff to address and overcome these issues.
While activity across volunteering has increased significantly, we have also seen a reduction in volunteers feeling appreciated. To address this, we are reviewing our reward and recognition to better celebrate our volunteers. ROS has a large proportion of long-service volunteers who we would like to better recognise for their many years of service to the charity.
We are seeking feedback from volunteers as part of reviewing our reward and recognition approach. If you have any ideas, or suggestions on how you would like to be recognised for your volunteering efforts, please let us know.
Other trends noted:
- 92% of respondents are aware of our Better Bones campaign with over 50% actively getting involved and giving their support. This is fantastic – thank you to all our volunteers for getting behind the campaign in all the ways you have!
- Osteoporosis News and Volunteer Network News (VNN) were rated the most interesting communications you receive from ROS.
- The ROS specialist nurse helpline was rated the most helpful resource available to our volunteers.
- VPE recommendations from the “Pillars” working group review last year were all ranked as important and supported as welcome improvements.
Join us this Volunteers’ Week
Volunteers' Week is an annual celebration of the contribution millions of people make across the UK volunteering in their communities. Volunteers are at the heart of our charity, and during Volunteers’ Week we look to celebrate and recognise the amazing achievements of our volunteers.
This year we’re putting volunteers at the forefront of our celebrations and hosting a series of online sessions where volunteers will be telling their stories and explaining what they do in their volunteering role. Booking is now open for all sessions on Eventbrite.
- 11am Monday 3 June: Coffee and Connect. Bring a cuppa and join us online to meet your fellow volunteers and have a chat. We will also have a thank you video from our CEO Craig Jones to share: Book your place here
- 11am Tuesday 4 June: Norfolk and Suffolk Support Group. Hear from Jo and Lynn about their involvement with the Norfolk and Suffolk Support Group. They will be talking about their volunteering journeys, organising their online meeting programme and using the group email account to connect with attendees: Book your place here
- 1:30pm Wednesday 5 June: Engaging with the South Asian Community. Lead Volunteer Advocate (LVA) Rehana is passionate about raising awareness of osteoporosis among the South Asian community, and will be sharing her hints and tips on how to engage with this community: Book your place here
- 2pm Thursday 6 June: Better Bones Campaign. Steve, Chair of Hambleton and Richmond Support Group and member of the Community Advocate Network (CAN), will be talking about his involvement in the Better Bones campaign. Hear how Steve got involved in the campaign, and what he’s been up to including writing letters to his MP Rishi Sunak, and being featured in the national press: Book your place here
Christmas cards update
Summer may be just around the corner but ROS Supporter Engagement Manager Emily Brown wanted to share some exciting news about Christmas cards. We raised over £20,000 (including postage and VAT) from Christmas card sales in 2023. A bumper year for sales! A big thank you to those groups who sold Christmas cards last year and look out for this year’s batch, coming soon.
30 years of the Manchester Central Support Group
As Manchester Central Support Group celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, group treasurer Tanya shares the story of the group so far.
2024 marks 30 years of the Manchester Central Support Group. From our beginnings at Crumpsall Hospital in 1994 to online Zoom meetings in 2024, we continue to share information about osteoporosis and bone health. This article celebrates 30 years of information, support and good times. Many people have attended our meetings through the years and we would like to fondly remember them and look ahead to the future.
How it started
Meetings were held every month with around 60 people in attendance. Eunice Hynes was the chairwoman, supported by her husband Keith. There were a range of excellent medical speakers: consultants, physiotherapists, pharmacists, nutritionists, and dentists who shared information and answered questions.
Sadly, Eunice passed away, and Jim Lomas stepped in to become Chairman and Stan Thompson vice chair. When key committee members retired at the 2009 Annual General Meeting, Stan Thompson held an Extraordinary General Meeting and formed a new committee. We moved to the Friendship Inn and held meetings here for 11 years but had to pause face-to-face meetings due to the 2020 pandemic.
How it’s going now
We host 11 meetings a year, with a break in January. The 2024 program features one of our regular and most popular speakers Professor Terry O’Neill, Professor of Rheumatology and Clinical Epidemiology at the University of Manchester.
“I have been delighted to have been invited back on a couple of occasions, most recently over Zoom, and it has been wonderful to see the group continue to flourish” - Professor Terry O’Neill
It can be challenging to have discussions online and the Manchester group has chat meetings for people to socialise and have a conversation.
Looking ahead
We have continuously supported our members and local healthcare professionals for 30 years. We have a magnificent team of experts who support our meetings with information and hold peer-to-peer meetings where our members can support each other.
As we close the chapter on three decades of dedicated service and unwavering commitment, we are filled with gratitude and pride. Through the years, the Manchester Central Support Group has touched many lives and has made a difference in our community. As we look ahead, we will continue to be innovative and dynamic in how we support the Manchester area and grateful for the support we receive from those who attend the meetings.
“It has been a privilege to be involved with the support group and always rewarding to see so many people benefit from our informed meetings” - Stan Thompson, Chairman
Thank you to everyone who shared their personal stories of their experiences with the group. Without your support and time, this article could not have been written.
Congratulations and a big thank you to the Manchester Central Support Group for reaching 30 years of support.
15 years of Kilmarnock and District Support Group
Kilmarnock and District Support Group celebrate their 15th anniversary in 2024 and held an afternoon tea in April to mark the occasion. The event was also a chance to say goodbye and thank you to Chair Barrie and his wife Eleanor who are stepping down after running the group for 15 years.
Helen and Lorna from VPE were kindly invited to the event and were able to attend on video link to share the occasion.
Joyce said: “Everyone enjoyed the celebration and hoped we can continue until our 20th!!”
Hosting an awareness stand
M&V member and volunteer Fiona recently held two awareness stands at local hospitals.
“I gained immense satisfaction from holding my first information stalls since the pandemic at Perth Royal Infirmary and Ninewells Hospital, Dundee. It was some time before stalls were allowed back and I had taken a cautious approach, waiting until I felt comfortable.
“In preparation, I completed risk assessments and ordered a leaflet supply. I took with me a copy of the charity’s Memorandum of Articles, this year’s ROS insurance details and a letter authorising me to hold the stalls. I also downloaded samples of the website fact sheets, which I found particularly useful while speaking to people.
“Perth is a smaller site with a DXA scanner and the stall location opposite reception next to the café helped with visibility. In addition to speaking to people who stopped, I left information for the DXA scanner operator. I also visited the Physiotherapy clinic with a letter mentioning the website’s exercise resources and how to order leaflets..
“Ninewells is a large teaching hospital and the stall on the main concourse gave me an ideal opportunity to touch base with clinicians and nurses from several clinics whose patients fell into the at-risk categories, as well as increase visibility among other staff, medical students, and the public.
“I arranged the stall to coincide with the bone clinic and Dr Malcolm happily suggested her patients visit the stall after their appointments.”
Thank you to Fiona for her detailed planning and hosting the events, helping to raise awareness of osteoporosis in the local community.
What to eat, what to take and how to move
Belfast Support Group held a joint conference with Soroptimist International of Northern Ireland in Cookstown, Co Tyrone. Support Group team member and Soroptimist Vi tells us more about the day.
“Delegates who attended this first province-wide conference were given up-to-date information on what to eat, what to take and how to move.
“Thanks to ROS CEO Craig Jones who welcomed everyone by video.
“Our keynote speaker, Professor David Armstrong, Consultant Rheumatologist at Western Health Trust gave a comprehensive overview on the types of medication currently in use to either slow down bone loss or increase bone density. Sadly, in the follow-up Q&A session several delegates expressed concern regarding treatment on their osteoporosis diagnosis.
“Sandra Crawford, Senior Physiotherapist with the Southern Trust encouraged us all to be more physically active in everyday life, especially with weight-bearing exercise. Jumping, skipping, dancing, walking, and sitting less was the message to take home.
“Joy Whelan, Specialist Dietician with the Western Trust, tested our knowledge on healthy eating using the 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire?' game show approach. This was most entertaining and enlightening and showed up the gaps in our knowledge! A display table demonstrated a full range of foods needed daily for good bone health.
“The Belfast volunteers explained the need for more support teams across Northern Ireland, and several delegates expressed an interest in becoming involved.
“Theresa Nixon from Soroptimist International, Bangor gave the vote of thanks and shared some information about Soroptimist International and their work in educating, enabling and empowering women and girls at home and abroad. Soroptimists stand up for women and girls and this conference on osteoporosis highlights an opportunity for members to lobby on behalf of the ROS and help bring about changes in service provision. Early education in primary schools and promoting sport for young women will ensure that this generation will achieve maximum bone density on reaching adulthood.”
A big thank you to Fiona, Joan, Vera and Vi from the Belfast Support Group for putting on such a fantastic event.
Promoting better bone health in Wales
We were very fortunate to be invited to the second National Fracture Liaison Service conference held in Newport, South Wales. Volunteers from Wales represented the patient voice and heard presentations from all Welsh Health Boards. We were delighted to hear from the Welsh Health Minister, Baroness (Eluned) Morgan, who announced a £1.05m transformation fund for Fracture Liaison Services (FLS) in Wales.
Delyth said: “As a person living in Wales, I was delighted to have attended the event and hear the Welsh Government Health Minister announcing a further £1m investment in FLS Service in Wales. This will see the delivery of the service across the nation and will see a greater number of people, especially in the rural areas able to access this important service.”
If you would like to help support our campaign, please email campaigns@theros.org.uk
Garden party at the Palace
ROS volunteers Steve and Rehana were honoured to represent the ROS at a garden party at Buckingham Palace. Despite the soggy weather, they still managed to have a marvellous time.
Steve said: “The weather certainly put a damper on things - no pun intended - but it was still a day to remember in more ways than one and one l would not have passed up.”
Thank you for reading VNN.
If you’ve got a story to share or would like to see something featured, please get in touch.
