Katie Connor, a recent volunteer for the Blossom Service, shares her story of her time with the Trust, and how the experience has shaped her next stage in life, studying medicine.
“As someone pursuing a career in medicine, Blossom has shown me how valuable the simple act of giving a patient your time can be.
“For many of the patients and families I had the privilege of meeting, I didn’t do much more than sit and listen, play some favourite songs, or make a cup of tea. But in busy wards where staff are rushed off their feet, multiple alarms are blaring at once and something is always happening, I could see the enormous difference that individual care made.
“This role has consistently challenged my discomfort surrounding death and dying which I wasn’t even aware of, and I’m certain that the experiences I’ve had and the lessons I’ve learned will help me be a more resilient and empathetic doctor in the future, with the ability to guide patients through conversations and decisions surrounding death and grief. Not only that, but being a Blossom volunteer has required me to evaluate and change how I process emotionally challenging situations, and I think that learning how to reflect on these experiences in a healthy way is essential for anyone interested in a career in healthcare, for the benefit of themselves and their patients.
“Spending time with end-of-life patients and their families has been a privilege. Apprehension to confront or discuss dying and grief seems to lead to more isolation and loneliness during these stages of life, and counteracting this by being a Blossom volunteer has made me feel like I might have made a genuine difference in some people’s lives.”
Thank you for the gift of your time Katie, we wish you all the best in your new career!