Cowboys and porridge: an afternoon in the life of an A&E volunteer
“I like to make myself useful,” says Deanna Constant, who does just that as a volunteer in Northwick Park's Emergency Department (ED).
Her three-hour shift every Friday is a whirl of activity helping take pressure off clinical staff by doing everything from fetching water and blankets to taking patients' dinner menu requests and helping look for their glasses or mobile phone.
The retired civil servant hadn't even stepped foot in an A&E before joining the team a year ago as part of an initiative to bring volunteers into ED for the first time.
“It was a bit overwhelming to start with, but I feel at home here now. I enjoy talking to people and spend a lot of time sitting with patients who want a chat and a bit of reassurance.
“I have talked about everything from snooker and old cowboy films to gardening and one patient who insisted on giving me a step-by-step guide on how to make the perfect bowl of porridge.
“I have got quite a conversational repertoire now. If I can make someone's stay just that little bit easier it's worthwhile.
“When I tell people I volunteer they always say it must be good to get out of the house but I'm out most of the time anyway. I think coming here once a week feels like I am doing something useful and that both important and rewarding.”