In September 2016 we were delighted to welcome our first two Young Ambassadors to the clinical team at St Clare. Ayomide and Anirudh, both age 17 years, started volunteering at St Clare as a way to give back to their local community, and to gain work experience in a healthcare environment as they are both keen to undertake a career in medicine.
Ayomide, who lives in Broxbourne, is currently undertaking her A Levels in maths, chemistry, biology and french and would like to study medicine at university. She told us:
“I decided to become a St Clare’s Young Ambassador because I wanted to gain a clearer insight into the work of hospices. Mainly, I just wanted to lend whatever assistance I could in caring for the patients at St Clare. I volunteer at the hospice on Saturdays and help wherever I can around the unit – speaking to patients and families and making the all important cups of tea! I also shadow the doctors as they meet patients to discuss their needs and medication.”
Ayomide said:
“I really enjoy being a part of the team at St Clare. Everyone is so welcoming, from the nurses and doctors, to the volunteers. It is heart warming to see the amazing support volunteers provide to the hospice – giving unfailing care to people in their community who are ill. I have learnt and enhanced many skills at St Clare and would encourage everyone to volunteer. It really is an enlightening experience and it completely dispels the stereotype of hospices being dreary places. I myself have been uplifted by the upbeat and comforting atmosphere.”
Anirudh lives in Hatfield Health and is currently undertaking his A Levels at Bishop’s Stortford High School. Becoming a Young Ambassador has been a fantastic way for Anirudh to gain a vital insight in to the healthcare profession and to help him achieve his dream of becoming a doctor.
Anirudh told us:
“I decided to become a St Clare Young Ambassador to see what a caring profession entails and I have found it very rewarding. Through volunteering I am developing my communication skills with people I would not normally interact with, as well as my teamwork skills with the nurses. I would encourage anyone to become a Young Ambassador as it is very rewarding and you can learn a lot about working in a caring profession – as well as learning a lot about yourself!”
