Meet Kent, 'buddy' to our new Neuro Support Group members

Kent has been coming to our Neuro Support Group since 2019 for support with Motor Neurone Disease and has now taken on the role (even if he doesn’t recognise it!) of a ‘buddy’ for new attendees, helping them get the most out of the group. He explains why this, and the group overall, are so important.

“I don’t see it as having a role. It’s just that when I know people are in the same situation I’m in, I know how alienating that can be, feeling surprise, shock and hopelessness. It’s just nice to be able to have people around you that you can talk to and say whatever’s on your mind and encourage them to say whatever’s on their mind. It’s an open forum.

“I would say, not just for me, but for everybody, this Hospice and these groups are essential community support. It can be misconceived as a place where people die, as opposed to a place that gives support for people that are on that path, but don’t know where to turn.

“I think it has a huge value to the community, and I think it needs to be recognised more by the Government or by the NHS system to see it as essential. It’s vital support, both medically and mentally, as you go through this process that we’re all going through.”