“Jan’s support to parents of patients is just incredible. They all appreciate her so much” | Latest news

Jan Clifford will be celebrating her ten year anniversary as a Nottingham University Hospitals Volunteer in just a few weeks’ time.

Jan, who is 68 and originally from Stoke on Trent, studied a Modern Languages degree in Coventry, before starting to teach at West Bridgford College for Further Education, where she enjoyed a long and happy career, retiring at 58.

Having always wanted to be involved in volunteering, Jan’s volunteer history includes the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics, which she describes as an “Amazing experience, completely unforgettable”.

Jan’s second child, Rory, was unfortunately taken very ill when he was just three months old, and received care at the Queen’s Medical Centre some 31 years ago. He sadly passed away.

Jan holds Nottingham University Hospitals close to her heart due to this very personal experience and connection. She praises the staff who looked after her and her family at this deeply distressing time, and most of all for finding out that Rory had died of an inherited metabolic disease, which, fortunately, had not affected her first born daughter. 

Jan was helped by the fertility services at QMC to become pregnant again, and gave birth to a healthy baby boy and she says: “I am so grateful to all those involved in the care of myself and my children, and for helping her to become pregnant again at the age of 38”.

Having this tie with the Children’s Hospital, Jan knew that she wanted to be involved in some way to give back to the hospital, and help parents through both the incredibly difficult and on the other hand very positive experiences that she knows so well first-hand.

From offering cups of tea and coffee, to changing beds, running errands, talking with parents and supporting the clinical staff, her role as volunteer on E37 (Children’s short stay unit) and E38 (Children’s Assessment Unit) every Wednesday is broad and enriching.

“Every week is a highlight for me, supporting the patients, parents and staff, is something that I thoroughly enjoy and it is very rewarding. I have made such great friends with the staff, and really feel part of the team, and still, as we are in these uncertain and unprecedented times, I stay connected by talking to the staff virtually”.

She is also in touch with Nottingham University Hospitals’ volunteering service, receiving weekly e-newsletters to keep in touch whilst the volunteers are unable to be on-site as usual.

Describing how volunteering is a serious commitment, Jan says: “If you are thinking about volunteering, go for it. Think carefully about where you would want to be placed and help. For me, the Children’s Hospital was a natural choice, and I have loved becoming part of that team”.

 

Janette Smith, Staff nurse at Nottingham University Children’s Hospitals, says:

“I have had the pleasure of working with Jan over the whole ten years she has been a volunteer on our wards. Her strength and courage in coming back as a volunteer to give so much back is truly admirable.

Jan is the most amazing lady and we hold her very dear as part of our team. She comes each Wednesday morning to support us all, with a smile and always brightens up our day. She spends time with all the parents, making them tea, listening and talking and helping them get through a difficult time. Her support to them is just incredible. They all appreciate her so much.

She is simply the most wonderful caring lady and is one of the world’s most beautiful people and we totally value and treasure her on our ward”.