The Stroke Foundation has named its national Volunteer of the Year Awardee as Woy Woy resident Ms Brenda Booth.
Ms Booth said she was honoured just to be nominated. “It was such a shock to learn that I was a national finalist. “I never thought I’d actually win the Volunteer of the Year Award,” she said. The awards were presented in Melbourne Town Hall. Ms Booth said it was lovely day out networking and that she enjoyed meeting other like-minded volunteers working with the Stroke Foundation through various means from across the country. She was recognised for her work to reduce strokes impact on the community and improved life for stroke survivors by.
Ms Booth has worked in the Central Coast’s health and disability support sectors for 25 years and first became involved with the Stroke Foundation after suffering a stroke at the age of 41 in 2001. “Ever since my own stroke experience I’ve been quite passionate about getting involved and improving things where I can,” Ms Booth said. Ms Booth has been a member of the Foundation’s Consumer Council for five years; and has been actively involved in the Foundation’s Research Advisory Committee. Locally, Ms Booth is a member of the Working Aged Group Stroke, a group of Central Coast stroke survivors who meet monthly to share their experiences.
According to Ms Booth, aside from her own lived experience with stroke, her background as a nurse and Disability Case Manager has immensely helped her throughout her time as a Stroke Foundation Volunteer. “My background allows me to bring a range of perspectives to the table across a variety of the Foundation’s initiatives,” Ms Booth said. “As someone who suffered a stroke quite young one of the areas I really focus on with the Foundation is stroke awareness and education. “There is a preconceived idea that stroke is an old persons’ disease, but the reality is it can happen to almost anyone. Ms Booth said she would also like to see a more holistic approach to stroke support and aftercare services develop. “I know that disease and disability have far-flung repercussions not just for the patient but for their carers, family and friends as well. “Stroke carers and families need more attention and support.”
SOURCE: Interview, 17 May 2018 Brenda Booth, Woy Woy Reporter: Dilon Luke