Date published: 09 October 2018 by Anna Jackson
A student nurse recently found herself back on the ward where she was looked after as a baby while volunteering for Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity.
Lia Grafanakis, 21 from Clapham, has been volunteering for a year with Rainbow Trust and was recognised on the neonatal ward at St. Thomas’ Hospital where she spent the first year of her life after being born prematurely at just 25 weeks.
Lia is now a healthy young adult and is studying to become a nurse. As part of her course at Middlesex University, Lia was required to complete a work placement. She chose Rainbow Trust because of its work with families and a personal connection through a friend.
“My experiences in the early part of my life did motivate me to volunteer.” Lia said.
“I had heard about Rainbow Trust beforehand. Someone that I know, she and her family are supported by the charity’s Central London Care Team and I know they do a fantastic job.”
The Family Support Worker, Vilja, who Lia was working with was aware of the connection and encouraged her to talk to staff.
“I approached them and told them my name. They remembered me and my family! I spoke to them both and took pictures with them, it was incredible.” Lia said.
“It was a shock because you don’t expect stuff like that, I was really emotional actually. It was a really nice feeling that they actually remembered me.”
Lia’s Grandfather sadly passed away while she was still a baby. Funds were raised at his funeral which were donated to St. Thomas’ and used to buy a machine to support the neonatal ward. Lia learned that the equipment is still at the hospital, although due to its now advanced age is no longer used regularly. Lia and her Grandfather’s names remain on the machine, memorialising the little girl’s brave fight and her Grandfather’s love.
“Volunteering with Rainbow Trust has been great. I’m getting more of an understanding about the different conditions that these babies and children have. It has also strengthened my confidence in myself, interacting with these children and their families, I really feel like I’ve grown.”
“Some of the kids I’ll be seeing as a nurse may have life threatening conditions. Volunteering with Rainbow Trust will definitely help me understand and cope with these situations. It helps me get a grasp of how the family are feeling because you see behind the scenes. I’m not only with them at hospital, but at home too, and gives me a different perspective.” Lia said.
Rainbow Trust has eight care teams of Family Support Workers across nine locations in England, including two in London.
“Volunteering was supposed to just be a short-term thing for uni, but I’m enjoying it so much I’ve asked if I can stay on.” Lia said.
“I’m coming up to my final year now. By this time next year I’ll have graduated, I can’t wait to become a nurse.”
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