Nehema’s Story
One of our fantastic student volunteers, Nehema, kindly shared her experience at St Joseph’s Hospice in this reflective blog post. Read it here.
Nehema came to join us as a volunteer in the Bereavement Team. As part of her role at St Joseph’s, Nehema worked hard making up our Elephant Kits. The Elephant Kit is a therapeutic toolkit provided free of charge to families with children, related to anyone who is being cared for by St Joseph’s Hospice. The kits contain creative tools, toys and games, carefully designed to welcome children to the hospice environment, support their emotional health and help families communicate during difficult times. See pictures below!
Nehema also took on a week of work experience in the Hospice, and wrote this thoughtful blog about her experiences.
“My work experience at St Joseph’s Hospice was such an amazing week for me. St Joseph’s offers compassionate care to those with serious illnesses. My time in the Day Hospice was full of important lessons, human connections, and personal growth. As a student aspiring to study medicine, this experience was especially impactful.
The Day Hospice provides patients with medical support and social interaction. My role involved interacting with the patients and watching how the nurses cared for them, giving me first-hand experience in palliative care. Spending my day at the Day Hospice was inspiring, and really highlighted the importance of holistic care. Working closely with patients, improved my empathy and communication skills. Listening to their stories taught me the power of active listening and being supportive. Collaborating with nurses, therapists, and volunteers also enhanced my communication skills.
I gained practical experience by assisting with daily activities, from organising activity sessions to helping with everyday admin tasks. These tasks were crucial for the smooth operation of the hospice. I developed time management skills by balancing responsibilities. Observing the careful care provided in the wards by the healthcare team taught me the importance of accuracy and attention to detail.
As a student wanting to study medicine, my experience at St Joseph’s Hospice solidified my career aspirations. The skills I developed—empathy, communication, time management, and attention to detail—will serve me well in the future. Beyond professional growth, the experience enriched my personal life, deepening my appreciation for kindness and compassion.
In conclusion, my time at St Joseph’s Hospice was more than just work experience; it was a journey of learning and inspiration. The Day Hospice provided a rich environment for developing essential skills. I am grateful for the opportunity and look forward to applying these lessons learnt as I pursue my dream of studying medicine.”
A huge thanks to Nehema for all of her hard work, it was so great to have you onboard!
Are you 16-19 years old and interested in gaining experience in hospice care, health and social care, or the charity sector?
Why not attend our 2024 Half-Term School?
28th October – 1st November 2024