Volunteers providing invaluable support at Limbs 4 Life
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Melissa Noonan is the inspirational co-founder of Limbs 4 Life, a volunteer organisation that provides up to date information and formalised peer support for amputees. Most people who have lost a limb have faced diabetes, vascular disease, cancer, infections or trauma accidents.
With a team of 85 peer support volunteers, Limbs 4 Life provides knowledge and support to amputees within the community, with the aim of preventing isolation and encouraging inclusion.
Melissa lost her own right leg in an accident and, through her own experience, realised that there was a need for a service that would allow amputees to find information and connect with others who had been through a similar experience.'For me, I had been in hospital for some time and just didn’t know what the outcomes would be – not just physical, but mental and emotional. There wasn't a lot of information available. It gave me an aspiration to change the world!'
Co-founder Jacinta Dyson was working in rehabilitation and also saw a gap between physical care and support and independent access to information.
Realising that amputees needed a dedicated organisation, they founded Limbs 4 Life in 2004, doing consultation and research until the launch of the program in 2006 at the Royal Talbot Rehabilitation Centre. They are now an established charity, winning the 2009 National Disability Award for Social Inclusion.
'We set about recruiting volunteers and kicked off with our “Trusty Seven”,’ laughs Melissa, 'and now we have 85 volunteers peer support volunteers, plus volunteers involved on our Board of management and we are supported by volunteers who provide pro bono professional services.'
'We initially set up with the hope to make a difference to people's lives. It's pretty difficult to measure, but for me, if you can help someone and their family, it's incredibly rewarding. And not a day goes by when I don't meet someone who inspires me!'
'Our volunteers are an amazing, dedicated group of people.'
How volunteers are involved
Peer support volunteers
Limbs 4 Life volunteers can offer encouragement, information and guidance, and the Peer Support Program is available through every Victorian hospital and rehab centre. Speaking with a peer support volunteer can play an important part in a new amputee's recovery and rehabilitation.
'Basically, people don't always know where to find information. Even as an organisation, it took us about four or five years to navigate the system.'
'Our peer support volunteers are keen to support others and become a role model and mentor to new amputees just starting out on the journey to recovery', she explains. 'We visit people in hospital to talk to them about the “what happens next”. The first questions are usually all the same: “Will I walk again? Will I be able to go back to work? Will I be able to drive a car?”’
All of the peer support volunteers are amputees themselves, ranging from 20-86 years old. They all go through a screening process and volunteer training program, and have access to counsellors and psychologists who volunteer their own time to add to the program.
'As an organisation, we have a huge role in educating our volunteers so they're better equipped to help other people.'
Additionally, they promote community interaction and participation through a range social events and activities, tailored to help with fitness and general well-being. 'The impact is quite significant – having ways for people to engage with their community is so important.'
Pro bono volunteers
Peer support isn't the only area to use volunteers – Limbs 4 Life also has a volunteer Board of management, made up of nine professionals bringing different but necessary skills to the organisation.
'We also have pro bono supporters, who give us their time', says Melissa, 'We have amazing people like Troy, who built our website and updates it for free, and Ron, who gives up his time to help us get media, especially for events.'
'Sometimes we find people through our Board members, or friends of friend or word of mouth, and we have used organisations like Pro Bono Australia and Skilled Volunteers to find specific skills.'
Golfing
Limbs 4 Life also runs monthly golf clinics at Sandhurst. 'Golf is a great sport for amputees – it helps you focus on your stability', says keen golfer Melissa, 'so we run monthly clinics and an annual Golf Tournament, the Victorian Amputee Open. Again, we have amazing support. PGA Golf Pro Christian Hamilton gives up his time to run the clinic each month. The Sandhurst Golf Club have a great group called "The Chain Gang" who help us run the event.'
In 2010, 48 participants joined the Vic Amputee open, coming from around Australia, New Zealand, America and Thailand.
'If it wasn't for the support of volunteers, we really wouldn't be here’, says Melissa.
Online forum
Limbs 4 Life manage an active online forum for amputees , which attracts interstate and overseas visitors as well. 'Not everyone wants to engage face to face in one on one peer support; and the forum fills this gap. If people have a question they can ask it online or look it up independently.'
Impressively, the forum is moderated 24-7 by a volunteer, Gary, in Victoria, and by a volunteer in UK and in the US while he's asleep!
'The forum and the golf clinics, everything we do, is about getting people who have lost a limb back into the community.’
'I can’t imagine how this country would operate without volunteers.'
For more information, or to get involved, visit the Limbs 4 Life website.
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