Hope Haven celebrates latest milestone as King Street hub opens
Ella Reed, 26, volunteered on Akenside ward, part of CNTW’s older people’s services, while studying for a Masters in Occupational Therapy.
After spending time working with older people during university placements, Ella knew this was the area she wanted to be in.
She volunteered every Friday, helping with the ward’s ‘Out and About Group’. The group encourages patients to take part in social activities, from going for a coffee to doing a crossword.
For Ella, volunteering was an opportunity to learn and meet new people.
“I really enjoyed meeting the patients and hearing their stories and wisdom,” she said. “When people come into hospital, they’re in an unfamiliar place without their network of family and friends. As a volunteer, you don’t replace that network but you can provide them with company and someone to talk to.”
One of the biggest things Ella has learnt from volunteering is people skills.
“When I first started with older adults, I thought ‘what do you actually talk to them about?’” she said.
“Occupational therapy is big on relationship building and volunteering has helped massively with that. You might get patients who are more quiet or withdrawn at first, then they end up chatting and joking with you.”
Ella says spending time with older people on the ward has given her a different perspective on life.
“People talk about the dreams they’ve achieved or the travels they’ve been on. These are the things that matter. When you’re that age, you don’t think about things like what you look like, you think about how much you love your grandkids. It’s definitely made me look at things differently.”
Being able to spend time in a ward environment has also been beneficial for Ella.
She said: “Often when someone gets a mental health diagnosis, you can feel like there’s no hope. But being on Akenside has shown me there can be a lot of change in patients in a short space of time, which has been amazing to see.”
Whilst volunteering, Ella was also able to shadow an occupational therapist, giving her more of an insight into her new career.
After graduating from her Masters at Northumbria University, Ella is starting her first job as a qualified occupational therapist this month, working at the QE Hospital in Gateshead.
Ron Armstrong, occupational therapist on Akenside, said: “Ella was a huge asset to our social activity group, engaging well with all patients and staff and offering more opportunities for social engagement for our older patients. We wish her all the best in her new role.”
Ella’s advice for anyone thinking of volunteering with CNTW is to go for it!
“Volunteering is a small way to make a big difference,” she said.
“I do it because it makes me feel good but it also makes others feel good and I think we need a bit more of that in the world. You’re able to meet people with similar passions and feel like you’re part of something bigger.
“I might be on the bus on the way in, thinking it’s cold or I’m tired but when I get to the ward and everyone’s saying good morning or I’ve had a lovely chat with someone about their grandchildren, I come away feeling so positive.
“If you have the time and are able, I’d urge you to volunteer. It’s beneficial in so many ways.
“I’ll really miss it – I wish I could take all the patients home with me!”
Find out more about volunteering at CNTW.
