Hospice of the Valleys - Michelle Thomas, Health Care Assistant

Meet Michelle, she is a Health Care Assistant, who joined the Hospice at Home team around four months ago.

Michelle has been passionate about palliative care for a long time after her husband was a patient of the Hospice a number of years ago. As a family, they experienced first-hand the support the Hospice provides. Thankfully, Michelle’s husband made a good recovery and was discharged from the service, however following this experience Michelle felt she wanted to work at the Hospice and give something back.

As part of the Big Stay Awake Campaign this February, Michelle has very kindly offered to do one of her night shifts as a Health Care Assistant for free! She is hoping that friends, family and the wider community will support her by making a donation to help raise vital funds for the Hospice at Home service of which Michelle is an integral member of the team.

When asked what she enjoyed about the role, Michelle said, “It’s a privilege to spend time with patients and their families in their own homes and allow the carer the time to have a break and a much needed rest. I can then spend time supporting the patient allowing them the time to open up and speak to me; it really is a very special and rewarding job”

Having worked nights on the wards for many years, Michelle is no stranger to staying awake through the small hours and has a lot of experience chatting to patients and their families. She knows all too well, that it is normally during these dark, quiet hours that patients want to talk as they cannot sleep and are feeling anxious, stressed and worried. “It’s so important to allow patients the time to talk and share how they are feeling and then offer support and reassurance where you can”

“I love my job and feel it’s a real privilege to be able to support people when they need it the most. Being able to spend time with people and allow them the time to share how they are feeling is so important, while also allowing their carer to take a break and recharge their batteries”