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Bukola’s story

Bukola, Ward Volunteer: St Joseph’s has become an extension to my life. Find out why Bukola loves the hospice so much and why she has become one of our longest serving volunteers.

Final 38dixon 17 12 01 Bukola Olushola05

Bukola is one of our longest serving volunteers, who has been visiting patients in the wards for the last 25 years. Whether the sun is shining or rain is pouring, every Monday afternoon Bukola makes her way from Havering to the hospice to spend a couple of hours with St Joseph’s patients chatting with them or  providing the company in silence.

It was December 1996 when Bukola passed St Joseph’s Hospice in her car. She looked at the building and thought it was time to give something back to the community. She spoke to Sister Mary who that time looked after the hospice volunteers. After her induction, Bukola showed up for her first shift on Monday, February 24, 1997 and continues to show up 25 years on. Bukola says that she didn’t think she would stay volunteering for that many years: “One week led to another week, then to a month, to a year, five years and now it is a quarter of the century. But it doesn’t feel like it’s been so long. St Joseph’s has become an extension to my life”. Indeed, Bukola’s family and friends know that no matter what Monday afternoons are non-negotiable for Bukola.

When asked, why she has kept returning week after week, year after year, Bukola remained humble: “If you are very ill, it’s already bad enough, but when you are all alone, that’s even worse. I know I can make a difference by spending time with those patients who have no visitors. There are so many people who are lonely. I know people appreciate the visits – the moment you enter their room, they break into a smile. But I think I get a lot out of coming here. More than I give.” According to Bukola, volunteering helped her see things through different perspective, not take things for granted and appreciate life.

Listening to people’s life stories is Bukola’s favourite part of being a ward volunteer: “Patients tell you wonderful stories. Here I’ve learnt a lot about history. When I first started visiting the wards, I heard many stories from the World War I, then World War II.” Bukola cherishes those stories shared with her. She knows they are invaluable as there are not so many people left who can still narrate the first hand experiences from the war.

Bukola, an avid Arsenal fan, often turns up to the wards wearing her team’s t-shirt. She says football is a wonderful conversation starter: “Patients see me in my t-shirt and the banter starts. It doesn’t matter whether they are Spurs or Chelsea fans. What matters is that patients’ faces light up when they are talking about their team and that’s brilliant.”

Yet, not all patients would want to tell their life stories or chat about football: “Silence is golden. Sometimes patients don’t want to talk but they want to know you are there”. Patients might be tired, in pain, anxious or fearful and having someone to share silence with you can be very comforting. Sometimes that can prompt them to share their worries.

As a ward volunteer, Bukola not only provides patients company and emotional support but also helps the ward team with practical tasks, such as taking patients to the hospice garden or do some shopping for them. “As a volunteer you can do things that nurses cannot. They wouldn’t go and get some fried chicken for patient, but as a volunteer you can. That’s what volunteers are here for. Volunteers alleviate the nurses from such tasks so they can focus on their jobs.”

For those who would like to volunteer, but hesitates, Bukola says: “Just come and do it. Giving your time, an hour a week to come here and support patients can make a big difference to them and be very rewarding to you. Giving brings a lot of satisfaction. Whatever is your work, it won’t go to wane, as you would support organisation that does nothing else but care for those who need that care the most. ”