John Murray is the volunteer coordinator of our North London group. John is the winner of the Outstanding Contribution Award 2019. We sat down and chatted with John about his volunteer journey.
How long have you been a volunteer for Different Strokes?
” I first started volunteering for Different Strokes in 2003. I had eventually gone back to work after my stroke and during a break in work I joined what was then called the Tottenham group. It was full of very lively people who were keen to develop new ways to support working age stroke survivors. It then became the North London group and since 2011 I have been the coordinator and the secretary for the group”.
What lead you to volunteer?
“I had a stroke in March 1994 following a TIA two weeks earlier. I was 53. After I came out of hospital. I started to work as a volunteer for the Stroke Association. I went to their Christmas party in 1994 and had the good fortune to meet Donal O’Kelly – who went on to found Different Strokes two years later, specifically for younger stroke survivors due to his own experience in hospital as a 42-year-old stroke survivor.
I began to make regular donations to Different Strokes as I thought it was a really good idea. About a year after the stroke I returned to work. As I was away a lot I was unable to continue volunteering with the Stroke Association.”
What does your role of volunteer coordinator entail?
“There are lots of aspects to my role but for me, the main thing will always be talking to other stroke survivors, taking part in research and encouraging members to do likewise.
What do you enjoy about volunteering?
“I enjoy it very much. I particularly like talking with other stroke survivors and hearing their stories. Because we are based in Haringey North London, one of the strengths of our group is its diversity. We have introduced innovative and helpful programmes such as Chi Kung, Feldenkrais and InterAct as well as Exercise Classes and Massage. We are fortunate in having excellent and highly committed Tutors for all our activities.
We are also fortunate in being funded by Haringey Council Adult Learning Service (HALS) who since 2007 have not only given us regular finance, but also a great deal of support and encouragement.
Concerned about my ignorance of stroke I decided to join the Stroke Research Network (SRN). I was appointed as a lay member of the network in 2007. As my main interest was Prevention, I served on the Primary Care Clinical Studies Group where I learned a great deal and worked with excellent researchers and lay members. When I came across new stroke research projects through the SRN I passed on the information to our group and invited researchers to talk to us about their work. I encouraged our members to become involved in research projects. Although the government closed the SRN in 2014 I still keep in touch with researchers and former lay member colleagues. And we continue to encourage research. For example, I and other members of our group are currently involved in work after stroke study run by Nottingham University. We are also working with Psychology researchers from London Met and East Anglia Universities.”
Would you recommend volunteering to others and if so, why?
“I would certainly recommend volunteering it is enjoyable you meet other stroke survivors who are always interesting and you learn that you are not alone. Research has also proven that volunteering helps your brain.”
How do you feel about winning The Outstanding Contribution Award?
“I was amazed to get this honour Austin (Different Strokes CEO) rang me and sent me an email and I was astonished and delighted! I am very proud to have won. I don’t like to boast, and I find it difficult, but I told one of our tutors they told me that I must tell the whole group. I told them that on 19th June I will be taken out for lunch and given my award- the group were delighted for me. So now I am proud, and they are proud too.”
Austin Willett CEO of Different Strokes said:
“John Murray has been volunteering for Different Strokes since 2003, and for many years has been the coordinator of the North London group. Thanks to the dedication of John, this group is thriving, with approximately 80 members, and activities taking place 4 days per week. Over the years John has looked after all aspects of this group – greeting new members, securing funding – including via a service level agreement with Haringey Council, and arranging venues for activities to take place. Most of all, he has made the North London group a very welcoming place to attend, and continually provided encouragement and support to stroke survivors in the local area.”