Q: Tell us about your career so far?
A: I’ve always wanted to look after other people. My first job was as a nursery nurse, closely followed by community care, then palliative care at a children’s hospice. Now, I’m a family support worker for an amazing charity called PASIC.
Q: What does your role involve?
A: As a family support worker for the Leicester and Northampton paediatric oncology wards, I currently support 187 families throughout treatment and for three years after treatment ends.
I’m a listening ear (be it face-to-face, over the phone or by text), a hug, a tissue-giver, a tea-maker, a distraction, an advice-giver, a friendly face and a small part of a very big team of incredible people on those wards.
I take gifts to the wards and give grants to help families with things like added travel expenses and bills. We also offer supermarket vouchers to help with the steroid cravings which is an expense that nobody expects and for our teenagers, we offer a little lift by giving them an age-appropriate gift.
We organise days out that allow families to attend without worrying about the cost of tickets and we have huge PASIC parties where everyone can just feel a little more relaxed knowing that everyone attending is going through the same thing. No two days are the same and we’re always adding to the things we can offer families.
Q: What is the proudest moment of your career so far?
A: When Christmas came early one year. ‘Santa’ visited a family at home and with a little PASIC magic and some fantastic donations, the family was supplied with a Christmas tree, decorations and Christmas dinner with all the trimmings, as well as wrapped presents for all of the family.
Abseiling off an old aqueduct to raise money for PASIC was also memorable. I have a fear of heights, but when my feet finally touched solid ground again, I was very proud of myself.
Q: What does your job mean to you?
A: I get to help people that are having a really tough time. This is something that means an awful lot to me, and I’m bringing my daughter up to understand how important it is to care for others. When you can make someone smile or just lift them a little… that’s when you know you’ve done a good job.
Q: Do you have a message for children, young people and their families affected by cancer?
A: Reach out to the staff and the charities around you… we’re all here to help and make your life a little bit easier.
Don’t forget to write things down and ask as many questions as you need to, and remember, it’s okay to need a few minutes away from the ward, too. Go and get that coffee, breathe and do what you need to do to for your own wellbeing.
Q: How can families find out about accessing a family support worker?
A: PASIC works within three treatment centres - Nottingham’s Queen’s Medical Centre, Leicester Royal Infirmary and Northampton General Hospital. If your child is treated at any of these hospitals, we can support you and you can contact us at https://www.pasic.org.uk/
Outside of these hospitals there are many charities in the UK offering family support, so keep an eye out on your ward and ask for more information. Just remember, wherever you are, we are all here for you.
From Contact magazine issue 97 - Winter 2022
