Celebrating Our Volunteers: Erin’s Volunteer Story

Our volunteers are a key part of what we do. They facilitate support groups, both online and in person, and share their stories to raise awareness of the individuality and impact of pregnancy loss. We’re incredibly grateful to have the support of 204 wonderful volunteers.

Erin leads our Northern Ireland support, and the Belfast face-to-face support group. For Volunteers Week, she spoke to us about what volunteering for the Miscarriage Association means to her.

Why did you decide to get involved with the Miscarriage Association as a volunteer?

I started volunteering for the Miscarriage Association in 2013. I had recurrent miscarriages and eventually found the MA who helped and supported me immensely. They gave me a sense of permission to feel all my feelings and provided a safe space where I could grieve the 4 little babies I had lost. I wanted to help provide that for other people, as well as information for families experiencing pregnancy loss. I also feel it is hugely important to work alongside other charities and agencies involved in baby loss, to provide as much support and information as possible to families and professionals. I do it all to honour the babies we lost.

What part of your role is most meaningful to you, and why?

It is so difficult to choose one part of my role that is most meaningful to me. Raising awareness, speaking to and running training for professionals, working with other charities, they are all so important and worthwhile. Ultimately, however, giving people a place where they can speak openly, without fear of judgement or having the ‘wrong thing’ said to them is the most worthwhile part of my role. I see the relief on people’s faces when they realise that they aren’t alone and that their feelings are all, not only valid, but common! I am so privileged to be trusted to share those very vulnerable moments with people.

What would you say to someone who is thinking of volunteering for the Miscarriage Association?

Volunteering for the Miscarriage Association is one of the most rewarding things I have done. I get to work alongside people from other charities and agencies and from the MA who are so inspirational and supportive (to both me and service users). We are a fab community and there is ALWAYS someone to talk things through with, to debrief and to share both joyous and challenging parts of our role. I would have no hesitation in recommending joining the MA as a volunteer in any capacity, there are many roles and excellent training and support for all of them.

For more information about the volunteering opportunities we have at the M.A., please email juanita@miscarriageassociation.org.uk.