Peter Shave Volunteer of the Year 2019 – Diane Summers-Long
Diane Summers-Long is the volunteer co-ordinator of our Portsmouth group. Di is the winner of the Peter Shave Volunteer of the Year Award 2019. We sat down and chatted with Di about her volunteer journey.
What inspired you to volunteer?
“Andy, my then partner now husband had his stroke in 2002, he was 53. It was very severe and he spent nine months in hospital. Prognosis at that time was not good and he was told he would be in a wheelchair and without speech for the rest of his life. We were provided with six weeks of physio and that was it. I started to look around for groups for Andy to attend and every single one was made for people a lot older. I just knew that it wouldn’t be enough stimulation for Andy. We found a Different Strokes Group that had about five members at the time- we met in a pub at first! There was a lady who volunteered to run it and then she had to give it up in 2004 – so I volunteered to be the new co-ordinator. We evolved from there I had a feeling that doing more activities would help the survivors physically and mentally.
What activities do the Portsmouth Group offer?
“We have an activity on offer four days a week for stroke survivors in the Portsmouth area; from Individual gym programmes to swimming and seated chair exercise. All of our activities are accessible to all. We also run a drop-in group and arrange regular social evenings.”
What is your volunteer role like?
“In my role, I am the secretary of the group, so I wear a lot of hats! Andy (my husband) and I visit stroke wards to talk about what is possible – he has surpassed what we were told in those early days!
My passion is supporting families – the whole family is my focus; it is a tremendous upheaval and it’s hard to know who to reach out to. When I talk with the families, they know we have been there. I know the highs and the lows because I have done it too!
I also meet with survivors and their families who are not yet confident about going to the group and have found that meeting with them is really beneficial. I tell them that when they are ready to go that I will go with them and we will do it together – there hasn’t been many who haven’t then integrated into the wider group when we do it together!
I also do fundraising. The local council have been supporting us, but funding has been cut in recent years so keeping the fundraising going is vital to keep the group going. I also work to raise awareness of Different Strokes in the local area and go to events in hospitals.”
On calculation, we believe that Di has personally supported well over 120 survivors in the last 15 years. We asked Di what she enjoys about volunteering :
“I benefit watching someone come to the group and then watching them transform. Their confidence increases, their outlook becomes more positive and we also see improvements in mobility. When a stroke happens, it is such an awful time and often when people come along, they are in ‘that place’. I continue what I am doing to see that transformation. Some of our members have returned to work- I helped them to find positions they can do with their disabilities.
I would absolutely recommend volunteering to other people. It is a feeling like nothing else! It is not a financial reward it is something much more valuable – the appreciation and gratitude of others. It is all about the people.
Different Strokes Head Office has always been there at the end of the phone. There has never been a time where I haven’t called about this or that that they haven’t been able to help and support us.
Over the years we have struggled to get volunteers – I would say to anyone wondering if they should volunteer that if you don’t try you are never going to know! We are looking for a treasurer at the moment so if you are in the Portsmouth area and fancy it – get in touch!”
How do you feel about being our Peter Shave Volunteer of The Year 2019?
“To be nominated and now to know I have won this award is an incredible honour and very humbling because I know there are a lot of people out there who deserve as much credit as I do.”
Caroline Saunders our Group Network Manager said: “Di has been running the Portsmouth Different Strokes group for 15 years now. During that time the group has gone from strength to strength, providing different activities and much needed support to stroke survivors and their families. Di is someone who is always willing to go that extra mile, and she has clearly touched a lot of lives in an extremely positive way when people are at a very challenging time in their life. The amount of love and appreciation shown for Di in all the nominations was truly overwhelming. Di is a very worthy winner of the Peter Shave Volunteer of the Year Award 2019. Congratulations Di – please keep doing what you’re doing your truly are a Different Strokes Star!”