Building an asthma community

A number of volunteers came into the office last week to help us celebrate National Volunteer Week.

They fulfill all kinds of roles for us. Some are Speak Up for Asthma volunteers who give talks to schools, nurses and companies. Others are fundraising volunteers. Some help run Kick Asthma holidays. Others help us in the office. A few do several of these in the course of an average year.

One volunteer baked a fabulous cake, in Asthma UK colours.

All of the volunteers left a vivid impression of the importance of our cause and the enthusiasm and passion that so many people have for our work.

Of course, Asthma UK was built by volunteers: doctors, patients and scientists coming together in 1927 to raise funds for research and patient education. We did not employ our first paid member of staff until 1969.

Volunteers remain central to the way we deliver our work, helping us raise funds, influence politicians and deliver services.

Having a vibrant community of people with asthma is really important to Asthma UK. We have an excellent Users and Carers Forum and Youth Forum. The discussion boards on the website are regularly lively. And there are many volunteers who give their time and energy in many ways to help us.

But we need to do more.

What was it that first drew you to the charity? Did you respond to an advert? Ring the Adviceline? Come to a holiday? Were you recommended by a doctor or a friend?

How do you think we should build links with more people with asthma and engage people more in conversations about asthma and actions to improve quality of life for all of us with the condition?

Let us have your ideas for building a bigger, more vibrant and more influential community of people with asthma.

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