Architha - Barnet Hospital Charity Ward Assistant Volunteer
Good afternoon everyone! My name is Architha and I’m an A level student from Copthall School. I started volunteering for Barnet Hospital on the 20th of December 2017 and it’s the best thing I’ve done! I work on a geriatric ward, spending time with elderly people and I look forward to it every week. The best thing about it is having lovely conversations with amazing people who’ve done so much in life. Yesterday a patient was reminiscing about her acrobatic dancing days and her whole face lit up with joy as she told me about her various performances. A few weeks ago, I met a patient who had tremors in her hands so she needed assistance eating. This lady was so determined to eat on her own and she finished her meal all by herself. The sense of accomplishment on her face was so inspiring. Special moments like this make me feel so happy that I’ve made a difference in their lives, even if it’s a very small one. Volunteering on the ward also involves serving food and beverages, buying newspapers, getting staff attention when a patients need something and just generally being a helpful extra person. These menial things can bring a smile to their faces and really make a huge difference in the long days’ people spend in hospital. Another great thing about being a volunteer is fundraising. On the 17th of March, we went to Barnet Football Club to raise money to fund massage therapy for oncology patients. It was snowing that day and we were all freezing but the morale was amazing and everyone was so resilient despite the frozen toes. We raised £147 which is amazing for a snowy day. Volunteering has boosted my confidence a lot. I remember the first time Brad took me to the ward in December and introduced me to the staff. They were really welcoming and friendly and they would always ask me if I’m okay. One of the Healthcare Assistants would jokingly ask me to ‘pay him’ to take food into an isolation room, but he was really nice. After I served dinner, I was standing around awkwardly, unsure of what to do and how to start a conversation with someone. Now I’m much more confident and comfortable in approaching patients and I love how valuable the small conversations are. Being a volunteer means being part of the NHS community, a community that saves lives and I love being a part of it.
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On July 6th the Prime Minister recognised Royal Free Charity young volunteer Malavika Bangera for supporting patients with live music.
Malavika volunteers at the Royal Free Hospital where she has been instrumental to the success of a project which incorporates live music into daily hospital activity. A keen musician, Malavika first witnessed the positive effect music can have on patients when she produced arrangements of classic songs for Barnet General Hospital’s dementia cafe. Excited by what she saw, she began visiting wards with her guitar to perform for patients. The sixteen year old supported the work to design a sustainable music programme and helped establish it at the Royal Free, ensuring its future success and inspiring talented local musicians to volunteer. Live gigs take place in communal areas at the hospital, including the main reception and discharge lounge, and on many of the wards. Malavika continues to perform regularly and has secured a place to study Medicine at King’s College London from September. Malavika is the latest recipient of the Points of Light award, which recognises outstanding volunteers who are making a change in their community and inspiring others. Each day, someone, somewhere in the country is selected to receive the award to celebrate their remarkable achievements. Malavika said, “I am immensely grateful and honoured to have received the Points of Light award from the Prime Minister. My volunteering experience at the Royal Free Hospital with the Royal Free Charity Live Music programme has made me realise how powerful the impact of music can be. It was absolutely amazing to witness patients and their carers as well as staff members enjoying my music, and sharing precious moments of happiness together.” As part of the celebrations for the 70th Anniversary of the NHS, volunteers who are making a real difference within the health and care sector are being recognised over seven days by the Prime Minister. Malavika was invited to an NHS70 roundtable and official reception at No.10 Downing Street on the 5th July, where she was presented with her certificate by the Prime Minister. In a personal letter to Malavika, Prime Minister Theresa May said, “Your contribution to shaping the innovative ‘Live Music’ project is bringing joy to hundreds of patients and their families at a difficult time for many. You should be proud of the important contribution you have made to this exciting programme. As we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the NHS I want to wish you the very best for your medical studies ahead as you continue to support the health service of which we are all so proud.” |