The specialist learning mentor for the Medical Needs Teaching Service (MNTS) at Leeds Children’s Hospital (LCH), talks to us about his role supporting young cancer patients.
Q: Tell us a little about your career so far...
A: I taught English as a foreign language in Cambodia for two years before studying International Relations in the Netherlands. I was keen to work within education for an international non-governmental organisation but my experience working at LCH has changed my perspective and I’d like to continue working within a hospital setting.
Q: What does your role involve?
A: As one of the two oncology learning mentors at LCH, I act as a bridge between the pupil receiving treatment and their school. By liaising with the child’s school, I obtain an overview of work being undertaken in their classes which is then shared with the MNTS specialist teachers who replicate the learning objectives via one-to-one lessons on the wards.
I also work with the wider multidisciplinary team, mainly clinical nurse specialists, to determine ways in which I can best support the pupils and their schools by either attending meetings or taking part in our annual Teacher’s Day – a day designed to inform teachers about the challenges young people with a cancer diagnosis face, and how they can best support their pupil both academically and socially.
Sometimes the young people are unable to access their school curriculum while in hospital, in which case I have the privilege of creating and delivering personalised, educational engagement sessions focused around their likes and interests.
Q: What does your job mean to you?
A: Before applying, I didn’t know hospital schools existed. Now, I understand how vital the stability and routine that education provides is for young people with a cancer diagnosis. Unlike their treatment, the young people can actively participate in their education and it’s something familiar to them. I am extremely grateful to the Emma Maltby Memorial Fund for creating the post and to Leeds Hospital Charities for continuing to support it.
Q: What is most rewarding about your role?
A: The pupils and their families never fail to amaze me with their resilience. Being able to support them, even in a small way, is a huge honour. I also love being able to attend ‘back to school’ meetings. It allows me to inform the pupil’s school about their holistic and academic successes while they have been in hospital. It’s remarkable how much they can - and do - achieve!
Q: What is most challenging?
A: Often some of the young people have very niche interests that requires me to think creatively. One pupil was very passionate about chicken nuggets. I devised an interactive narrative-based session with games and activities which they had to complete in order to rescue the secret recipe from the KFC Colonel. It was such a success that the pupil requested a sequel: ‘Chicken Nuggets Fiasco 2’!
Q: What are your interests?
A: I thoroughly enjoy playing the Ukulele! The MNTS work with many different charities, one of which is the Ukulele Kids Club who give beautiful ukuleles to children in hospital.
Q: Do you have a message for families and children with cancer?
A: While education’s unlikely to be your main focus while in hospital, hospital lessons offer opportunities to engage in something that is removed from the medical aspect of hospital and maintains a sense of normality in an otherwise turbulent time. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, everybody’s there to support you!
