Parkinson’s Europe is calling for volunteers from across the Parkinson’s community to join new steering groups designed to support its 2025-2028 strategy.
The opportunity to become part of a Parkinson’s Europe steering group is open to all people diagnosed with Parkinson’s. Partners, friends, family and supporters, healthcare professionals and Parkinson’s professionals (both industry and academic) are also all welcome.
The new steering groups will guide Parkinson’s Europe’s new strategy, focusing on its three strategic pillars: Data and Innovation, Empowerment, and Awareness and Visibility.
The role descriptions for each group are now available on Parkinson’s Europe’s website. Each one outlines the purpose, requirements and benefits for joining, as well as the time commitments expected from volunteers.
“Volunteers I have worked with in a number of steering groups previously have said they benefited from being part of the work in ways that they never imagined, and made invaluable connections. You can be part of this connection too,” says Parkinson’s Europe Strategic Director Amelia Hursey.
Seeking all volunteers with an interest in Parkinson’s
Everyone with an interest in Parkinson’s is encouraged to step forward, Amelia says. She adds: “We welcome interest from simply everyone who wants to give their time and support people with Parkinson’s. There are more details within each role description – such as an interest or background in data collection, or social media skills. So, people may be drawn towards a specific route, but it really is the more the merrier.”
Some of the skills and interests the groups are particularly seeking include:
- Data and Innovation Steering Group (DISG): Experience or interest in advocacy and campaigning activities; an interest in data collection and analysis, and a passion for turning data into actions; an awareness of data sets, health data, research and health innovations
- Visibility and Awareness Steering Group (VASG): Interested in social media, communication channels, platforms and methods; interest or experience of awareness raising, advocacy or campaigning activities
- Empowerment Steering Group (ESG): Confident or interested in doing public speaking or being a publicly visible person, talking to many different people; knowledge of Parkinson’s and an understanding of, or interest in, the different stakeholders working in the field; experience or interest in advocacy and campaigning activities
Process for selecting and inviting members to the groups
Expressions of interest can be sent to Amelia, who will then determine the best matches for each group.
“Anyone who is interested in joining a steering group should start by reading through the role descriptions,” says Amelia. “If you would like to put yourself forward, email [email protected] a short explanation of which steering group you are interested in and why.”
The process will consider the attributes each person can bring to the group, as well as what the group can offer them.
“I will review everyone of interest and make sure that each member we invite is the best fit for what we, and they, are looking for,” says Amelia.
Each application will be followed up with an email or phone call to understand more about the individual. “We want to make sure we get the right fit, so we will have a good chat with people who are interested, to learn about knowledge and passion they bring and how they could best benefit from being part of the group,” she adds.
The groups will then be established, and Amelia will contact people throughout April. “There will be more opportunities for others to join the group in future,” she adds. “So if you are not invited to join now, it does not mean you won’t be asked later. Everyone will be contacted personally by me to let them know.”
Members of the Steering groups will then be featured on the ‘Meet the Team’ section of the Parkinson’s Europe website.
Interested in joining one of the new steering groups? Find out more about Parkinson Europe’s steering groups here.
Think you might know someone who would be a great member of Parkinson Europe’s steering groups? Please share the steering group role descriptions with your colleagues, friends and networks, and ask them to spread the word.
