Friends of Burnham House – Home closed July 2016

The Friends of Burnham House were delighted to host a volunteers lunch at the Toby Carvery in Slough on 6th September 2016. It was an opportunity to thank them for their contribution at the home before its closure. It was great to get everyone together to chat and share their experiences. It was good to hear that volunteering has been a way of building confidence for some of our volunteers and everyone left with a box of chocolates to enjoy at home.

For the last couple of years, Lai-San has considered volunteering in the community, but mainly focused in an elderly setting. “I have been able to fulfil such a joyful feeling of giving back through volunteering,” says Lai-San.

In the course of her life, has worked on various research teams for her degree as well as working with doctors in the biological field. After her years at University, she knew volunteering could be an additional interest aside from her work in biology and medicine.

Then, she concentrated on studying Biomedical Science at University. Afterwards, she went onto to pursue her doctorate and completed a PhD in Biology. Interestingly enough, she did not see this knowledge helping her in a social care home, until more recently when she began to actually volunteer on a consistent basis.

Presently volunteering at Burnham House Care Home on a weekly basis, already has she seen how much the staff values her presence even though she has no specific, personal experience in working or dealing with individuals suffering from dementia. Even though she has only had a short  experience of volunteering so far, her time at Burnham House Care Home has been different in many ways from her studies in the biomedical industry.

She really took it upon herself to learn what each resident that she volunteered with looked forward to doing and soon after, Lai-San saw how much of difference she was really making in their lives on the weekly-basis. That being said, she was able to articulate an itinerary of topics to talk about that she knew would excite and energise the residents that she called her own “friends.”

A gentle smile on a resident’s face is so valuable to their self-esteem. “I leave my volunteering days feeling extraordinarily satisfied because I know I made a difference, whether small or big, in an individual’s life.” Lai-San was motivated to branch out of her comfort zone and meeting and interacting with new people has increased her public speaking and communication skills.

Volunteering has changed her outlook on individuals in the community in the most positive form. She has become very attached to many of the residents and looks forward to visiting them.