As part of Stroke Awareness Month, Christopher Watterson from Woodborough, Nottinghamshire, is sharing his experience of a stroke and how it left him thinking what the future would bring. With the support of the Trust’s Community Stroke team, and Christopher’s fantastic motivation, he is now on the road to recovery.  

A stroke happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off, killing brain cells. Damage to the brain can affect the way your body works, and it can also change how you think and feel. There are more than 100,000 strokes in the UK each year with around one in four strokes happening to people of working age.

 

Emma and Jasmine from the Community Stroke team who supported
Christopher Watterson following his stroke

Celebrating Volunteers’ Week: “Finding purpose in what was once a great struggle is the most fulfilling journey.”

It’s Volunteers’ Week, 1 – 7 June, and we’re celebrating and recognising the fantastic work of our volunteers. 

Nottinghamshire Healthcare has 185 registered volunteers who give hundreds of hours of their time every week supporting staff, patients and their families. Our volunteers bring skills, knowledge and a desire to make a difference to our services and the lives of the people we care for. 

We spoke to Samantha Houghton, who has been a volunteer for the Trust for 2 months. Living through her own experience of complex trauma for many years, Samantha feels very fortunate to be on the other side of significant difficulties with her mental and emotional health and talks about how this has helped her make a difference to those that have endured similar struggles.

Befriender Samantha Houghton

A day in the life of a community Macmillan nurse

Dying Matters Awareness Week, 10-16 May 2021, focuses on the importance of being in a good place to die. The pandemic has proven that it is more important than ever for people to think about it, talk about it and plan for it. Sophie Richardson, community Macmillan nurse, looks after adults diagnosed with non-curable cancer thought to be in their last year of life with complex symptoms and complex psychological needs in the community. She shares what it’s like to work in such a role and what it involves.

Sophie Richardson, Community Macmillan Nurse