Introduction
In 2024 I commenced a volunteering opportunity which I’d long cherished – a befriending role on the Broadfield ward of the Haywood hospital, where I’d been a patient myself in 2015. I do little other than chat with patients, about anything other than their clinical condition.
I’ve come to realise that I’ve a fascination with regular people leading ordinary lives, dealing with the challenge of complex rehabilitation matters.
Peer Discharge Guidance
In 2025 I authored a peer discharge guidance document. I hoped it would be given to patients as part of their hospital discharge process, following rehabilitation from an acquired brain injury. A snippet of the first two pages is shown below.
Befriending Role
I meet numerous people of all ages / professional status / walks of life / mindsets during my time volunteering on the Broadfield ward, some of whom I make a connection with. I typically engage in conversations for twenty or thirty minutes about everyday matters – perhaps whereabouts they grew up / if they have a line of work / any activities they enjoy doing / favourite holiday destinations, etc.
I’m always determined to talk to folk as people, rather than patients – I certainly don’t profess to have any clinical insight. I only reluctantly bring up my own brain injury / recovery, it only gets discussed if I’m asked specifically. I never offer any pearls of wisdom, but I try to be encouraging and gently positive. I often come away thinking and hoping that whoever I spoke to enjoyed our shortish conversation – I don’t have any higher aspirations than that.
A particular favourite experience of mine was with an eighteen year old man named Ethan, who could understandably have felt uneasy about sharing a ward with largely middle and late aged folk. Despite his brain injury, he remained positive and outgoing at all times – at least from my perspective. Ethan exhibited a hyperactive nature, so I was delighted to convince him to sit still on his bed for an hour or so to complete a 100 piece jigsaw – result! 🙂
Sensory Garden Contribution
A sensory garden adjacent to the Broadfield ward was created in 2024 for use by patients; I was asked if I’d like to contribute. I made the bird table in the following picture, reflecting my perpetual feelings of gratitude to the Broadfield ward.
