Nursing student finds volunteering is just the right medicine

A student who pledged to become a nurse after her father died so others receive the same top-level care he did, is making true on her word and adding more achievements along the way.

Georgia Richardson – from Olney, Buckinghamshire – is in the first year of her degree in nursing, a career she never thought of pursuing.

She explains: “Strangely enough I used to have a phobia of hospitals and doctors, so even in a million years I wouldn’t have dreamed of becoming a nurse.

“Then about five years ago, my Dad was diagnosed with cancer and he was in and out of hospital for treatment.  He beat it and we had the most amazing time celebrating, but sadly it returned in February 2018 and this time it was terminal.

“Dad passed away in December that year at Willen Hospice and I was so inspired by the amazing care the nurses provided him and my family. Just watching and talking with them I knew I wanted to become a nurse and help others in need like Dad.”

Her mind set on a career dedicated to delivering that level of compassion, Georgia set her sights on the University of Northampton (UON) to study Adult Nursing.

She joined the April 2020 ‘corona class’ who started their degrees entirely online, but another group of vulnerable patients convinced Georgia that her calling lay elsewhere.

Georgia continues: “I’ve learned so much already from the brilliant lecturers at the University. They have all been friendly and supportive and I’ve been given so many opportunities to practise skills!

“I’ve loved everything about the course but after working with children and babies, I discovered a deeper passion for nursing in that area. I’ll bid a fond farewell to Adult Nursing just after Christmas and switch to the Children and Young People’s degree, but my mission remains the same. To do Dad proud and provide the level of care and support he received when he really needed it.”

Nursing students put in long shifts – each student must complete 2,300 hours of placement work as part of their three years as an undergraduate – and balance this with the same amount of class-based work and assignments – as well as manage any extracurricular activities that add to their experience and skills.

With that in mind, Georgia also volunteers free hours for Willen Hospice in Milton Keynes. She adds: “I have always enjoyed volunteering, my first was netball coaching when I was 14. I started volunteering at the hospice last year and it happened quite spontaneously.

“When my Dad was there, I always felt sad for the patients who didn’t have family with them as he was always surrounded by friends and family. So, if I popped to the shops to get something for him, I would ask those patients if they wanted anything. If I did some baking, I would share it with them and the staff.

“I also chat with the patients, help with any worries they have, support their family if needed, take dinner and drinks and assist them with their personal hygiene and care. I’ve been asked to work at the hospice part-time as a healthcare assistant which I thoroughly enjoy alongside my volunteering!”

On the back of this, Georgia was invited to the recent launch of the Captain Tom Foundation. This is an initiative to encourage people to stay active and raise money for charity and is named after the centenarian WWII army officer. Tom made international headlines during the pandemic when he walked laps of his garden to raise cash for NHS charities.

He completed 100 and by the time the fundraising appeal closed the total was an astonishing £33m.

Georgia continues: “The foundation chose Willen as one of their partner charities and recently invited me along to their launch event, which was amazing on so many levels! Meeting Captain Tom was a real privilege. I spent the day in his garden with his family and representatives from other charities and it was an honour to chat with him. He asked what I thought of the film crew and how much has changed since he was a boy. He had a twinkle in his eye and loved talking about what I did at the hospice. I couldn’t believe he was 100 – to say he is inspirational doesn’t do justice to him.”

If all this wasn’t enough to keep her busy, Georgia found the time to appear on national TV after being contacted by ITV’s Good Morning Britain (clip starts at 14mins 48 seconds).

She concludes: “I represented the hospice and foundation as part of the programme’s ‘One Million Minutes’ campaign to get more people to pledge to volunteer.

“It’s such a good project as it links people to companies and other foundations in real need of volunteers, especially so now. It’s quick and easy sign up so I hope my fifteen minutes of fame encourages more to volunteer. Even one hour a week can make a huge difference.”

In January, members of the Adult Nursing team – including Georgia – will take part in the Hope Centre’s annual Big Sleep Out. The event sees people sleep outside for one night to raise money for the centre and get an idea about what homeless people experience throughout the year on the streets of Northampton. Find out more and how to take part.