An East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) retail manager swapped customers for the care floor during a day of volunteering at The Nook.
Sally Rix is North East Relief and Cluster Manager, overseeing shops in Attleborough, Beccles, Bowthorpe, Diss, Long Stratton, Plumstead Road, Norwich, Poringland, Unthank Road, Norwich, and Wymondham.
EACH staff have the opportunity to swap their regular jobs for a day of paid volunteering, doing something to further their knowledge of the organisation.
Sally chose to shadow the care team and find out more from staff including two nurses, an occupational therapist and play therapist.
She also got to spend time with children, siblings and parents and said: “It was a wonderful day.
“I had lots of fun, including helping one young man create a firework picture and make sparklers out of pipe cleaners.
“I also chatted to another boy’s guardian about their daily challenges, including having a son who has to be tube-fed.
“After a busy day with the care team, I was invited to help collect a girl from school, along with two nurses from the care team.
“It was amazing to see how dedicated they were with her individual needs.
“She blossomed under their care, and her wit and humour soon shone. Once out of her chair, I was amazed at her flexibility and motor skills.”
Sally said a particular highlight was spending time in the sensory room – something she described as a “privilege”.
“The children spent time exploring light, music and touch. Another little boy who was on a two-hour self-care visit also joined us, which was lovely.
“Overall, it was a fantastic experience, and, although I chose to do this as a my paid volunteering day, it’s something I’d love to do again in my own time.
“The parents I spoke to were full of praise for EACH. They said that without it they would have little or no support.
“I’ve previously volunteered with the fundraising team, and these days are a great way to see how other sections of our organisation work, either caring for children or generating the money for that care.”
