“It makes me want to get up in morning.”
St Christopher’s is best known perhaps for its commitment to helping people make meaningful memories at the end of life. In Gavin Richardson’s case, the hospice is quite literally helping him rebuild his memory – volunteering in its Addiscombe shop.
Eighteen months ago, Gavin, who thought he had a bad case of flu, was admitted to hospital after his condition deteriorated and he had a massive seizure and didn’t return home, also in Addiscombe, for six months.
Gavin had contracted Auto Immune Encephalitis and, with it, lost recall of about 10 years of his life and now suffers the ongoing effects of brain injury.
Determined to rebuild his brain function, Gavin, who’d previously had a successful career as a purchasing manager, encouraged by his wife Philippa, decided he had to do something positive.
“Part of the rehab at the hospital was about getting Gav back into the community – finding ways of doing that and feeling like he had a purpose,” remembers Philippa.
“I’m doing something, getting out of the house and not dwelling on things. Instead of feeling useless I’m doing something back in the community.”
Gavin, who is accompanied by his full-time carer, Uche, started volunteering one day a week and, as he’s felt stronger, has built that up to three days. Still, after a day of sorting, arranging and lifting books, CDs and DVDs, he’s exhausted.
“When I get back home, I just lie down and sleep for a few hours – I’m absolutely gone. But it gives me a sense of fulfilment. It makes me want to get up in morning and has given me an extra spring in my step.”
It’s his colleagues in the shops that Gavin says have played a big part in his enjoyment of the role.
“They are my friends and to be honest Paula, the manager, Nat and Lynn – are the dream team. We’re like a family and they have the patience of angels with me. I thought I wouldn’t be able to do anything at all again, but they gave me a chance.”
“Volunteering has helped Gavin in every aspect – his cognitive function, his focus and has made him happier.”
To complement the positive impact of being out of the house, socialising, communicating and engaging with others, Gavin constantly writes notes on his phone as he attempts to rebuild his memories of people, places and behaviours and routines. He’s known Phillipa for 21 years but sadly can’t remember their wedding nine years ago.
Philippa has witnessed a hugely positive transformation in Gavin over the past year.
“At the start he was scared to even leave the flat. Volunteering has helped Gavin in every aspect – his cognitive function, his focus and has made him happier. It’s improved everything in his life and I can now see the man who is my husband again – not just someone who is unwell. Working in the shop has helped Gavin rebuild everything and heal his brain.”
With his almost tangible can-do attitude, Gavin doesn’t hesitate to recommend volunteering to others.
“Give it a go!” he says. “What’s the worst thing that can happen? Go and talk to them, have a look around and, if you don’t like it, leave. But you will like it!”
Want to know more about volunteering?
If you’d like find out more about volunteering with St Christopher’s, whether in one of our shops or in a variety of other roles, find out more here.
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