Volunteer spotlight: Les, Life after Stroke Volunteer
Les Steers recently joined our team of Volunteers at Beech Stroke Rehabilitation Ward at Norwich Community Hospital in the exciting new role of the Life After Stroke (LAS) Volunteer. The aim of the LAS Volunteer’s role is to engage with patients on the ward, sharing personal experiences of recovery from stroke with the aim of reassuring, encouraging and motivating patients.
Norwich Volunteer Coordinator, Alana Farrow, said: “We were so excited when Les approached us with his idea of providing a presentation of his own Stroke journey to our current patients at the Ward. He too had been a patient at Beech Ward and has first-hand experience of the challenges that can be faced following a Stroke. I knew that Les would be perfect in this role, not only because of his own experience but because he has a very engaging personality and is very skilled in presenting to others, being a trainer”.
Les liaises with the Clinical Team at Beech and the Volunteer Service Team to arrange his presentation sessions at the ward. This tends to be once or twice a month depending on patient availability. During a typical session Les will talk through his own journey, including his treatment and rehabilitation at Beech Ward, clinics, and group sessions available to patients at the ward, discharge and care packages, support in the home and his ongoing progress. Les said: “So far feedback for my presentations has been, for a number of patients, an inspiration towards themselves moving forward”.
Joseph Marsden, Assistant Psychologist at Beech Ward, said: “Les’ Life After Stroke presentations have been received really well from the patients who have also mentioned how this presentation has allowed them to see a possible path going forward. Thank you so much for everything that you are doing for us Les!”
Les added: “I would definitely recommend volunteering with NCH&C to others. My role brings the enrichment of satisfaction of helping others back to a normality of life after having a stroke.”
If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer at NCH&C, or learning more about our volunteering service please contact patientexperience@nchc.nhs.uk
This article is in the January issue of The Voice, which details the ways in which we are supporting patients and carers to have a say in the way their care is delivered. Read the full issue here.