The Legacy Program (formally known as Life Stories) is a volunteer led program available to MND Queensland clients to create their chosen ‘Legacy’. A Legacy can take many forms - a memoir or life story, a novel (we’ve all got a book in us!), a collection of poems or short stories, cherished recipes, a family tree, or anything that captures your life, values, and memories.
During such challenging and uncertain times, many people find comfort, purpose, and a sense of control through storytelling and legacy work. Participating in the Legacy Program can give you the opportunity to engage with something that doesn’t necessarily revolve around your MND journey, provide you with a creative outlet to celebrate your life and preserve your words, wisdom, and spirit for the people you love.
The Legacy Program – What to Expect
When you express interest in our Legacy Program, our Volunteer Services team will contact you to talk through the program in more detail before matching you up with one of our wonderful volunteer biographers.
Getting Started
Once matched, you and your volunteer biographer will meet for the first time to plan what you would like your Legacy to look like. Together, you will also decide on how often to meet and for how long.
- Sessions usually run for about one hour, over 5–10 meetings.
- Meetings can be weekly, fortnightly, or monthly – whatever works best for you.
- You may pause, adjust, or withdraw at any time if needed.
- Meetings can take place in person or online via Zoom/Teams.
Creating Your Legacy
After each meeting, your volunteer will:
- Transcribe and lightly edit what you’ve shared and incorporate photos or documents you’d like to include.
- Share the draft with you before the next session so changes can be made as you go.
Completing Your Legacy
At the final stage, your volunteer will prepare a complete version of your Legacy for your review. Every participant receives one free professionally printed and bound full-colour A4 hardback book. If you’d like extra copies or different keepsakes, we can arrange this for you at your own cost.
Important Things to Know
- Volunteers support you one-on-one throughout the entire process.
- Our Volunteer Services team will check in regularly to ensure everything is going smoothly.
- The printing company does not provide editing or proofreading, so please take time to review your Legacy carefully with your volunteer before confirming printing.
- All discussions are confidential. Materials will be securely stored by MND Queensland for 12 months after completion, then erased unless you request otherwise.
How do I get more information?
If you are interested in taking part in MND Queensland’s Legacy Program, please call 07 3372 9004 and ask to talk to Volunteer Services or email us directly at volunteer@mndqld.org.au.
If you are interested in participating in this Program, please fill in the referral form below.