Volunteer Spotlight: A passion for helping others
7th June, 2024
Feeza’s time as a volunteer increased her drive to pursue a career in medicine.
I volunteered for nine months with Friends of Moorfields. At the time I was an undergraduate student at UCL studying Neuroscience. I shared with my university personal tutor my interest in pursuing a career in medicine and my passion for helping others. She mentioned Moorfields being an excellent hospital with a well-organised and friendly volunteering community, so I applied.
During my time as a volunteer, I welcomed and guided patients to their appointments as well as providing support in theatre as a handholder. I enjoyed being able to help create a positive experience for patients during their visit.
During welcoming and guiding shifts, I would greet patients at the entrance of the hospital, giving them directions to their appointments if wanted, or guiding them to the clinic if they required further assistance. With some patients, following procedures or check-ups their vision may be impacted, causing it to feel daunting leaving the hospital and navigating the busy outside world, so I would also guide patients to an available taxi, nearby bus stop or train station.
In my role as a handholder, I would keep anxious patients company as they awaited surgery and then, if wanted, I would accompany them into the surgical theatre. During the procedure, I would hold their hand to provide support and they would squeeze my hand to alert me if they wanted to express something to the surgical teame. I enjoyed observing how the medical team of nurses, doctors and anaesthetists worked together to deliver outstanding care to patients.
I applied to study medicine at the University of Sunderland starting September 2024 and have been offered a place, which I am very much looking forward to. My experience volunteering at Moorfields increased my passion for pursuing a career in medicine.