SARAH WRITES…

I’ve worked as a respite nurse at James Hopkins Trust for the past 7 years and I feel extremely privileged to have been able to look after 7 children during that time. I have had the pleasure of building a special relationship with each child and their families during my time as their respite nurse and the children I look after form a big part of my life. The role also offers me a good balance in contrast to my job in a busy emergency department.

I currently look after Elissa and Ezra each week who are both 3 years old. I collect them from their homes and enjoy spending one to one time with each of them. This enables me to really get to know them and what they enjoy (and don’t enjoy so much!) The children have wonderful little personalities and I feel that I know them so well. They both have different needs and enjoy different activities to suit these needs. Being a one to one respite nurse gives me the time and the flexibility to get the most out of our time together.
I take them to Kites Corner where we enjoy spending time with the other children in the playroom, relaxing in the wonderful new sensory room, which they both love, creating some masterpieces in the art room or exploring the garden. Sometimes we go for a walk to the local arboretum, the shops, the library or the garden centre and aquarium. I have also accompanied them to hospital appointments where necessary.

I am very honoured to be a respite nurse for this wonderful charity where not only do I get to spend quality time with the children but I also know that I am helping the family by giving them a few hours to do things that may not be otherwise possible.