East Cheshire NHS Trust Volunteer Story: Sheila King
Sandra recently caught up with Sheila King, one of the dedicated volunteers at Macclesfield Hospital. In this article, Sheila shares her experiences and reflections offering a glimpse into the impact volunteers make every day within the hospital community.
Sandra: What is you background and what led you to volunteering for East Cheshire NHS Trust?
Sheila: I worked in the pharmaceuticals industry for almost 40 years within patient safety and clinical trials data management. Since finishing work, I wanted to work with patients and have volunteered for the Alzheimer's Society, East Cheshire Hospice and East Cheshire NHS Trust.
At the Trust I have had a variety of roles since starting in 2016, volunteering on Ward 4, Ward 11 and now with patients living with dementia on Ward 9. During covid I volunteered for outpatients and vaccine clinics.
Sandra: What do you enjoy about volunteering?
Sheila: I enjoy interacting with patients, particularly patients with dementia, learning about them as a person not merely a medical condition. I enjoy feeling useful and knowing that I’ve had a positive impact as part of an essential team.
For me, it also brings structure to my week, giving me purpose and I feel valued. It makes me grateful for my health and also keeps me physically and mentally healthy by continuing to be active.
Sandra: What is involved in your volunteering role?
Sheila: I help out at lunch, giving out meals and encouraging patients to eat. Some can be over faced by the tray of food, need something cutting up, or be confused about where they are and even if they need to pay for their meal.
Help can be given in various ways. For example, one patient was struggling who was visually impaired and just needed help describing what food he had and where it was on his plate. I described it like a clock face and then he was able to enjoy his meal. He didn’t need his independence removing by being fed, just an explanation and encouragement.
Sandra: Do you have a favourite volunteering moment?
Sheila: There was one patient I had come across a few years earlier on a different ward. About two years later she was on Ward 9 and she recognised me and recalled that I had helped her the previous time she was in hospital. To know, that despite her illnesses and dementia, she had remembered and appreciated my help was so rewarding.
Sandra: What are the tough moments?
Sheila: It can be tough when patients are confused, become distressed and agitated but we always have the support of the staff.
Sandra: What impact do volunteers have?
Sheila: Volunteers have more time to chat to patients. Patients like to have someone to talk to, reminisce with and provide reassurance if needed. Also, some may not eat if they aren’t helped and encouraged.
It means the staff have more time to spend on medical and personal care tasks. The staff are very dedicated and we want to give them as much support as we can.
Sandra: What advice would you give to someone thinking about volunteering?
Sheila: It’s a great thing to do, give it a go!
You can get a lot out of it and there’s so many different roles to try.
Sandra: Anything to add?
Sheila: The additional training we get is great at Macclesfield Hospital, particularly around dementia; some of the best I’ve had. It’s important to remember that we are all different and that’s the same for people with dementia. We have to treat them as individuals and use a person-centred approach.
I am also the Chair of Macclesfield Art Group, we were so pleased to be able donate a piece of art and raise money for Ward 9; the staff were thrilled.
Find out more about volunteering with the East Cheshire NHS Trust, visit their website today.
