The Volunteer to Career programme

The 17 year old first connected with the hospice by volunteering at one of their charity shops, about a year before he started on the Volunteer to Career programme. The retail role was a way for Mo to spend his free time and gain some work experience between balancing his studies in biology, chemistry and economics. But it soon evolved into an opportunity to gain his first bit of work experience in a healthcare setting when the team at St Michael’s reached out:

“They said, ‘we knew that you wanted to go into medicine and we think it's a great idea for you to join this’. That's where I initially heard about the Volunteer to Career programme. And that's why I wanted to do it - to get some work experience and kick start my career.” 

As part of the programme Mo split his time between the hospice’s in-patient unit and the wellbeing team. On the wellbeing side of things he got to help with rehabilitation classes and bereavement support services, showing him the importance of connection, social support and emotional wellbeing. While in the IPU, he got to have hands-on experience with the medical side of patient care, from serving food to patients, to seeing how nurses insert syringe drivers.

One experience he mentioned as being particularly impactful was witnessing a doctor interacting with patients: “She was very, very calm and slow with people, even when it was difficult to understand them. She got down to the eye level and talked to them, and made sure all their feelings were heard out. It really showed the empathetic side.”

Overall, this split-team structure helped Mo to get a holistic view of hospice care.

Before joining the programme, Mo’s knowledge of hospice care was limited. “I thought it was only people only go in, receive end of life treatment and usually don't come out” he admitted, “but through the programme and, you know, having chats with staff and patients, you do realise there's a lot more to it.”

He shared what he’s learned: “Many people do end up leaving the hospice and live longer lives. And it's not about just curing them or letting them leave the world, it's about keeping them happy as well. And making them feel at home - like an actual home, that they can live in like their normal one, not a hospital.”

From sitting in on ward rounds, to chatting with patients and staff, to supporting with wellbeing activities, Mo began to see the many roles that contribute to hospice life. The most powerful moments, he said, came from the people he met: “Those were definitely some of the best moments. Just knowing more about the people who worked there, and even the patients. Sometimes I would just have a chat with someone here and that was really fulfilling.”

Mo also found his conversations with healthcare assistants and junior doctors eye-opening, as they showed him the range of career paths within healthcare. 

The experience wasn’t without its challenges. Being around death for the first time in a care setting was difficult, but the support he received from staff left a lasting impression.

“They not only looked after the person who passed away and their family, but also me. You know, afterwards they came to me, asked me follow up questions to see if I was okay and needed pastoral support,” he recalled. “So that was the challenging part, but it was handled very well.”

Reflecting on his time in the Volunteer to Career Programme, Mo shared what he learnt: “That everyone can help. You don't have to be someone in a healthcare career to help. You can just be anyone and come to the hospice and help.” 

His other big takeaway was about patient care: “It's about seeing them as a person and rehabilitating them in a way that allows them to live a life not dependent on the hospice, or anyone else, but themselves. Even at this stage of their lives.”

He said the programme has reinforced his decision to pursue medicine and given him plenty to draw on for his university applications. “I did put down a chunky bit about St Michael’s in my personal statement and it gave me a lot of good stuff to talk about in interviews.”

He also told us how the staff were generous with their time, answering his questions and helping him learn all about life in the medical profession.

The experience has given him a better understanding of what it might be like to go into a medical career: “My expectations are a lot more realistic now. I went to some morning meetings and ward rounds and saw how lengthy some of them can be … I understand how much you need to have certain skills to be successful working in healthcare.”

For other young people considering volunteering at a hospice, Mo’s message is clear: “Definitely do it, go for it. Even if you aren't sure, you should definitely give it a go, even if you aren't looking for a career in health.”

As he looks ahead to medical school, he says his time in the hospice has left a lasting impression. “Before I was a bit unsure about [working in a hospice] because I didn't have too much knowledge on it. But after the experience, I can see it's very friendly and welcoming place and maybe in the future, I’ll come to do training in a hospice, or even work there.”