A Child Nursing student is hoping her extensive volunteering work at Alder Hey Hospital will help her realise a childhood dream.
Alice Matthews (19) helps run a Saturday Arts and Craft club for children, having herself been a patient at the hospital.
“The care that I received as a patient was incredible, and I wanted to give something back because they had given so much to me,” she said.
“From a young age I had always wanted to be a nurse. Through my volunteering at Alder Hey, and through placements, I learnt that Children’s Nursing was for me.”
Alice, from Crosby, who attended St Mary’s College before studying Health and Social Care at Southport College, has seen the club grow in popularity, having filled a niche during a quieter period in the hospital. It is something she enjoys, helping put smiles on young people’s faces.
“It started off small with just a few children, and now it has expanded and lots of children join in. We also take activities up to the wards for the children who are not able to leave their beds so that they are still able to join in, too. It is something they look forward to and I feel privileged to be able to be a part of it.”
“Hospital is not the most exciting place to be in, but seeing children smile and knowing that you have made a difference to their day is enough for me.”
Although Alice has enjoyed work placements at other hospitals, she admits Alder Hey is where she enjoyed it most – and is somewhere she would like to work in future.
“All the placements I have been on were amazing, but Alder Hey is a step above. It is more modern than other hospitals I have worked in and patients seem to be happier. Patient experience is extremely important, but from the patients I have had the pleasure of talking to, their experience at Alder Hey has been a happy one.
“Once I qualify, I would love to work as a Children’s Nurse in Alder Hey. It would be amazing to start my journey as a qualified nurse in the hospital where it all began.”
Alice was selected for an Entrance Excellence scholarship in 2018 – being awarded £2,000 towards her studies.