If you are aged between 16 and 30 and want to make a difference to the lives of people living with neuromuscular conditions, get involved in our new young campaigners network, Trailblazers.

What’s it all about?v funded banner
The network will help to build teams of young people across England who will have the opportunity to learn and use new and varied skills, such as:

  • website management
  • design
  • working with the media
  • lobbying politicians
  • audio and video production
  • team building and management
  • running an event in the Houses of Parliament with MPs, Ministers and decision makers.

What issues will we campaign on?
As a Trailblazer campaigner you will have the opportunity to campaign on issues that you feel strongly about in your area. The topics could range from improved support at school and university, to better access to transport and leisure or tourism activities. Whether you want to campaign on access to specialist care services, the timely provision of wheelchairs or the installation of home adaptations, you will have a chance to get your voice heard and make a difference in your community.

How does Trailblazers help?
 Trailblazers campaigners seek to help by:

Giving you the facts: practical information about the latest changes in legislation affecting people with neuromuscular conditions - such as service provision and rights

Giving you the skills: support to help you get your voice heard and negotiate with local authorities and other influential organisations

Giving you the back up: sharing ideas and learning with a network of hundreds of young people across the England about what works

Who’s getting involved?
Trailblazers is completely free and people who are already involved include:

  • young people with disabilities who have concerns about their journey into adulthood
  • young people using their skills to design flyers, posters and logos
  • young professionals with a neuromuscular condition who want to speak out on the issues that matter to them
  • friends and family members of young people with neuromuscular conditions
  • young people who want to see things improve for anyone living with a neuromuscular condition

Why get involved?
We can only break down barriers and improve the lives of people with neuromuscular conditions by putting pressure on key politicians and policy makers. We need as many people as possible to sign up and get involved in campaigning and help to make a real difference, championing the rights of people with neuromuscular conditions.

What’s in it for you?
However much time and energy you spend getting involved and volunteering you will play an essential part in improving the quality of life and independence for young adults with disabilities in your area.

Through campaigning and providing information on issues that matter to people with neuromuscular conditions you will make new friends, develop creative and practical skills and have the opportunity for your volunteering work to be accredited by a nationally recognised youth volunteering award.

You can sign up to be a Trailblazer online now or to find out more email:
trailblazers@muscular-dystrophy.org or text 'muscle' to 84424 and we will get in touch.

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