Volunteers Week - Chris's story
Chris Davies started his volunteering experience at Solent NHS Trust back in 2020 at the Oakley Road COVID-19 NHS vaccination site in Southampton, staying there for a year until the centre closed. Since then, he has supported the Patient Experience Team by inputting patient feedback forms onto the system, helping to drive change across the Trust.
Sadly, in August 2023, Chris and his wife lost their baby who was born sleeping at 39 weeks. Whilst dealing with this unimaginable loss, Chris continued to be dedicated to volunteering and helping others.
Speaking about his contribution, Chris said: “With Covid now behind us, I reached out and started with the feedback role only days before we lost our daughter. We’d stayed at the Princess Anne, and with the aid of the cold cot, were able to spend five days making memories with our precious Kira.
“In the two weeks that followed, before I returned to working from home, I’d offered to continue inputting the patient feedback forms and was looked after with such compassion from Tracy. We’d been so well cared for by the team at the Princess Anne, it reinforced why I’d offered my support to Solent. I now understand first-hand how important these forms are to ensuring that service users’ voices are heard; enabling the Trust to action concerns where applicable to improve the service and acknowledge those who’ve made such a difference to patients’ lives. Thankfully many of the forms are full of praise which is an incredible accolade for everyone who works within the Trust.
“Compassion and generosity are ethics I would have hoped to have instilled in our daughter, so I draw some comfort in the belief that although she may not be with us, that she will live on through the actions I now take with this volunteering role, and more recently with Sands Southampton.”
Tracy, a member of staff in the Patient Experience Team at Solent, said: “Chris is really committed, hardworking and very friendly. He joined Solent during the hardest and saddest time for him and his family, yet he continued to do the very best he could. We’re incredibly thankful for Chris’s time and efforts that has helped us to improve our patients’ experiences.”
Chrissy Gregson, Volunteer & Patient Experience Manager, said: “Chris and Tracy had a unique working relationship, and I will always be grateful for the support he gave to our team. Chris has been so strong and courageous, supporting even during the hardest of times, in helping to make a difference to our patients and the experience they receive.”
If you feel inspired to volunteer, then please discover more here.