GET INVOLVED

I have been a FAB volunteer for many years after being introduced to the charity by my nursing colleagues in the South West Children’s Burn service at Frenchay Hospital who were also volunteers. I take part in the Family Camps and the FAB residential camps every year and try and answer any questions families may have about FAB when I meet them in the NHS.

I feel privileged to be part of FAB and know that the support the children give to each other year on year helps them to face the world as young adults . I also know how much it helps parents, brothers and sisters to have  opportunities to meet and speak to other families affected by burns  . Parents value the chance to feel they can share their stories with others who have also been through the trauma of a burn injury including worries about treatment and scarring .

Some of the most valuable aspects of the camps are the support the younger children receive from the  older children and  the way the activities foster emotional  and physical confidence . Also the children feel  less self-conscious about their scars at camps , they have  fun and know that the volunteers are there to help them in whatever way they can .The families have often said  how the  support provided by FAB and the NHS complement each other and that without FAB they would find adjusting to life post burn much harder. I can attest to this having seen the psychological progress the children make as a result of being part of FAB. Thank you FAB for having me !