The People Making Things Possible – Annie

For World Occupational Therapy Day, we’re celebrating the incredible Occupational Therapists who make such a difference, like Annie Roberts. Before retiring, Annie signposted many clients to REMAP, and now, as Chair of our Milton Keynes branch, she continues to enrich lives. Here’s what Annie had to say about her REMAP experiences.

Before I retired, I was an Occupational Therapist, and I used the services of REMAP on a number of occasions. After leaving paid work, I wanted to continue to help people and volunteering with my local REMAP panel was the obvious choice.

I have been a volunteer since 2014 and the Chair of the Milton Keynes panel since April 2022. As Chair, I keep our database up to date, circulate requests for volunteers and chair our brief monthly meetings. It is not an onerous task, if you are well-organised.

As an engineer, I take on the requests which involve padding, strapping and cushioning, ie the soft materials.  Occasionally this may involve working with one of the other volunteers, eg padding a head restraint that another volunteer had made.

There is a real pleasure when a client asks for something to be re-made or repaired. That they ask us to go back says it all. Giving someone some independence or improving their comfort or safety takes the volunteer a few hours, but the effect for the client is felt every day. That is a rather special gift to give.

Volunteering isn’t for everyone, but if you get pleasure from helping others and are practical by nature, there is no better way than with REMAP.

If you’re interested in making a difference, like Annie, find out how you can get involved.