Name: Georgie Jackson

Course: BSc Paramedic Science

Volunteer Role: Health Care Assistant, Brownies Leader, St. Johns Ambulance volunteer, SOS Bus volunteer, Holiday Carer

“Being able to leave someone with a smile will always hold special memory for me”

What are your main duties and how do they benefit others?

Once I a week I volunteer at Farleigh hospice as a Health Care Assistant. This involves caring for the medical and personal needs of those with terminal conditions. This has been a privilege. Seeing those happier faces and fulfilling their need and wishes, allows all patients to feel as though that are settled and can pass away without worry. Easing the family and providing a dignified and respectful end of life care to all patients is an opportunity I’m very grateful for.

In addition to this I volunteer with the Brownies and Rainbows as a leader. This role has lots of perks. Not only are all the children lovely and so much fun, it provides an equal opportunity regardless of background to have fun and engage in activities they otherwise may not have.

On top of this I also volunteer with St John ambulance and The Open Road Charity SOS Bus. This role allows me to help people require additional medical and social attention in a variety of settings. Helping those in the immediate situation reduces hospital admission and means more individuals can continue with their day or night without too much impact.

Finally I volunteer as a Carer on a holiday for severely disabled adults. This entails providing personal care right though to holiday activities. These amazing people often spend a lot of time with their families. Offering a holiday allows the family’s some respite and the holiday makers the opportunity to go on holiday with all their needs taken care of. On holiday individuals are allowed to learn new skills and experience specially adapted activities to enjoy.

What have you enjoyed most about volunteering?

Volunteering has allowed me to become part of the local community and engage with the people from this community. Meeting people from a variety of different backgrounds and ages has developed me personally to become more open with people.

Volunteering develops so many skills which can be used throughout your personal and professional life. When looking at employment opportunities I was able to stand out as a candidate because of the additional skills and experiences volunteering offers me.

What skills have you learnt and used during your volunteering?

Throughout my time volunteering I have learnt so many new skills. I have developed interpersonal skills in communication and have been able to further develop my professional role.

Within each of my roles I have learnt how to approach people with a human approach. Treating each person on an individual basis with a person centred approach.

I have also developed leadership skills, where I take charge of teams and activities.

What inspires you to volunteer?

Growing up I relied on the kindness of volunteers to provide me with opportunity other children got. This is something I have always remembered and wanted to give back my time as they did for me.

I also wanted to get involved with volunteering as it was a way to give back to those in the same position as me and for those who needed additional support.

What is your favourite volunteering memory?

I have made so many amazing memories from volunteering. Being able to leave someone with a smile and holding their hand when they need a little support will always hold special memory for me. I have been hounded with the privilege of joining people’s family in sad and happy times and this is something I will remember and take with me forever.

What are your future career aspirations?

At the end of my degree I hope to become a Paramedic with the London Ambulance Service. Within my career path I aim to work hard towards becoming a Critical Care Paramedic. Volunteering has developed my interpersonal skills which are required to communicate with patents on the road. It has also taught me how to build a rapport with people quickly, this too is necessary for treating those as soon as you meet. Volunteering in different settings as allowed me to develop skills in specific areas. I hope to use these additional skills in end of life care to patients I meet within my career to provide enhanced care for them.

Why do you love volunteering?

Volunteering is a way of giving back to your community and integrating in to a new place.

Volunteering has allowed me opportunity to learn new skills which can help further me personally and within my career.

Meeting new people is one of the best parts of volunteering, being able to interact with others from a variety of backgrounds and becoming part of their lives is such a privilege.

Are you inspired to start volunteering?

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