After gaining my qualification in childhood studies I worked with children and families as a private nanny. I also have a passion for travel and spent years both travelling and working in several countries.
Eventually I knew that I wanted to do something different, so I hung up my backpack and moved to Essex. I wanted to have a new challenge but continue to work with children and families and Rainbow Trust sounded like the perfect place for me.
In 2015, I began volunteering as a Family Support Volunteer for one day a week with the Essex Care team, and I haven’t looked back since. Being able to volunteer gave me the opportunity to gain hands on experience as well as get to know the role on a deeper level.
As a volunteer, I supported three families and each session was unique, whether it was giving seriously ill children and their siblings the chance to have some much-needed fun, supporting a child going through cancer treatment, spending time with brothers and sisters who are sometimes overlooked, or helping to minimise stress for families by driving them to hospital appointments.
After a year as a volunteer, I realised how rewarding this work was and applied to become a Family Support Worker.
My favourite thing about being a Family Support Worker, and the thing that truly highlights how essential Rainbow Trust’s support is for seriously ill children and their families, is the time we can give. We can dedicate time to families, meaning we can properly support them with whatever they need, whenever they need it. It is so impactful.
“I don’t know how I would have coped on this often tumultuous journey without Family Support Worker Abi.” - A parent supported by Abi
There are so many small moments that stand out from my time at Rainbow Trust. Seeing the excited face of a sibling when I come through the door and they know that they are going to have some time where the focus is on them. Watching a seriously ill child smile because they are going to get to be like any other child and play. Hearing a parent tell me how much my support has helped. These moments are all so special.
Each day is different, depending on what a family needs at that moment. Recently, for example, I provided school transport for a sibling as his mum cannot leave his seriously ill sibling at home. On the way we had a chat about how he was doing and how school was. This transport to and from school alleviates some stress on his mum and gives him some one-to-one time with me. After dropping him off, I collected a food shop for a family unable to leave their house and spent time chatting with the mum while unloading groceries and helping with some ironing.
This alleviates some stress on the parents as the family do not have the time to do these simple things. I then had some phone calls with families to arrange visits and check in on them before I finished the day by picking up the sibling from school.
Even one day of support can make a huge difference to a family who is struggling.
Now, after nearly a decade with Rainbow Trust, I have progressed to Deputy Family Support Manager in the Essex Care team. I am looking forward to the new challenges and I am excited for what the role will bring, particularly working in the local community to spread awareness of what Rainbow Trust does so that we can reach more seriously ill children and their families who desperately need support.
