Happy Volunteers’ Week

We couldn’t do what we do at Sheffield Children’s without our incredible volunteers.

If you visited Sheffield Children’s between 1995-2009 you might have heard the voice of our volunteer Brett who presented and managed our hospital radio. Almost 20 years later Brett has recently returned to Sheffield Children’s and now volunteers with our Logistics team.

We chatted with Brett during Volunteers’ Week to find out more about why he loves volunteering and how it has helped change his life in different ways. Welcome back Brett, over to you!

“Hi! I’m Brett. I’m registered blind, happily gay and live with my jack russell, Patch. I was born with congenital cataracts so I have no sight out of my right eye and my glasses are really strong on the left. I don’t let it bother me though, it doesn’t stop me from doing anything – especially not volunteering!

“Sheffield Children’s has always been close to my heart so when I got the opportunity to come back I really wanted to. I was only 15 when I first started volunteering and when I returned in September 2022 I didn’t recognise lots of the hospital.

“Thankfully I’ve got my bearings again now after lots of hours spent delivering items to departments – sometimes it can be stationery and food that I take, and other times it’s lifesaving equipment. I like knowing that the stuff I deliver is needed and important and makes a difference to people’s lives. The hospital wouldn’t function without all the different teams working together and I feel really appreciated for what I do.

“When I’m not volunteering at Sheffield Children’s I spend my time volunteering in a Cancer Research shop too, and presenting and commentating on wrestling! I actually had cancer myself in 2021 which was a really tough time but catching it early saved my life. Since then I’ve worked hard to spread the message about going to see your GP if you’re worried about anything. After getting the all clear I was asked to start the Race for Life in Sheffield and I got to use the air horn to set everyone off on their way. If you take part in a Race for Life anywhere in the country this year you’ll hear my voice giving out the announcements!

“My life would be very dull and boring if I didn’t volunteer – it really has changed my life and given me confidence and skills I didn’t have before. The people at Sheffield Children’s are absolutely lovely and I look forward to coming here. Volunteering is a great way to build your skills, and my experience has been that the satisfaction far outweighs any nerves you might have when getting started. If you’re thinking of volunteering, do it!”

Justina is studying for a Master of Public Health degree at the University of Sheffield and has recently started volunteering with us on our Medical Day Care ward. Before moving here to study, Justina was working in Ghana as a Junior Doctor and was looking for an opportunity to develop her skills in healthcare from a holistic perspective.

“When I go home from volunteering I have a feeling that I have done something right. Talking with children reminds you of what it’s like to be young. I have personal experience of being sick in hospital throughout my childhood so waking up and coming to play with kids who are in a similar situation to the one I was is very fulfilling for me.

“When I’m volunteering I purposefully try and shut down the doctor in me and let the doctors be the doctors. I can be helpful in some circumstances when I notice things I can share with the nursing staff but primarily I am there to play with the children, which is always a lot of fun! Since starting my Masters and volunteering I have been learning more about the social determinants of health and when I see people and patients now I look at them as whole communities and societies and think about all that is unique about their lives. I see children’s anxieties, I understand more about the dynamics of families and I can adapt in different ways.”

Justina is passionate about the power of playing and believes that games are “a big deal” when recovering in hospital:

“Often when we are knee deep in a game and they are winning children forget they are sick and even when they are feeling weak you can give them a little challenge to see how they respond – they often sit up excitedly telling you that they can do it and I watch them do exactly that.

“Being in hospital is really significant and has an impact on lots of lives so it’s special to be able to help children and parents through that experience. I once offered to sit with a child so their parent could go and get a coffee and the parent was like: ‘YES PLEASE!’. Being able to provide moments like that for people is why I love volunteering.”