Ann Marie

Q.1 Can you tell us a little bit about you, who you are and what your interests are?

Like so many, I am a working parent who wears many hats as best I can. I am a parent to two girls (11 and 12 years old) who are keen horse riders. As a result, I have become a part-time groom (with no training or particular skills!) but am now pretty handy with a wheelbarrow and a horse van. Professionally, I am a UK qualified solicitor and work as a general counsel for a specialist trading and mining company. 

My personal time is spent running or in the gym. These activities have kept me sane through the last 20+ years in the legal profession, through marriage and children and various significant changes over the years.

Q. 2 What do you do at Dyspraxia/DCD Ireland? 

I joined the Board of Dyspraxia/DCD Ireland in early 2019. I took on the role of Secretary when I first joined and then took on the role of Chairperson at the end of that year. My role has included working on governance and compliance matters in order to help the organisation meet its obligations as a registered charity. More recently I have been involved in the development of the organisations next strategic plan. 

Q.3 Why did you decide to volunteer for the organisation? 

My daughter was diagnosed with dyspraxia in 2018 and I came to realise that there is limited awareness about dyspraxia and, similarly, limited supports available to help children and adults with dyspraxia. I discovered Dyspraxia/DCD Ireland and felt by joining the Board, I could use the skills that I have to support the organisation to address the gaps in awareness and support that currently exist.

Q.4 What is the best part of being a volunteer? 

Being able to use my skills and energy to help the organisation to develop and grow to be a national organisation that seeks to support the interests of everyone in the dyspraxia community. While you do not necessarily see results every day, when you do see them, it brings such a sense of achievement and satisfaction. 

Q.5 Would you recommend volunteering to others? 

Absolutely! I have come to realise that there is a role for everyone when it comes to volunteering. No matter what your skill set is, it is always valuable and adds significantly to the ability of charities/not -for – profit organisations to deliver and meet their objectives. Volunteering gives a huge sense of community that is both rewarding and enduring.

Ann Marie

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