Our thanks to Jill Wallace, who is a peer volunteer advocate with programme partner Advocacy in Barnet, for the following enlightening blog post:
So irritating, I have woken up so early as usual; the habit of waking as if I am going to work never seems to stop. Priority is to feed my cat Izzie and have my first of many cups of tea and read my book before the newspaper is delivered.
Jill
There is an advocacy support meeting today which I am looking forward to as there will be quite a few new volunteers attending. I think it is such a great opportunity for the new volunteers to meet other advocates and have the opportunity to listen to the variety of work we carry out. We have a speaker at each monthly meeting and try to book other organisations working in Barnet; the information can be so useful to people that turn to Advocacy in Barnet (AiB) for support.
Very interesting support meeting ; it was very rewarding chatting to the new volunteers during our coffee break to hear that they felt relieved and happy at the level of support available to them at all times. Today’s speaker will be of great interest to some of our clients; a family business that can offer bespoke meals delivered as and when required at a very reasonable price.
I have arranged an initial visit accompanied by Georgia, a trainee Social Worker working with AiB as part of her training. As the meeting was from 10 – 12 am we have plenty of time for a nice lunch and chat together before our visit at 2pm at Finchley Memorial Hospital. So far I am really enjoying my day! Spent lunch with Georgia discussing how much she had enjoyed and learned from working with AiB. Hearing how this had helped her as she was coming to the end of her training was very enlightening.
We visited our client Mrs A, age 90, at Finchley Memorial Hospital. After explaining the support AiB could offer, and obtaining signed authority to act on her behalf, Mrs A spoke of the concerns she had regarding where she would live once discharged from hospital as she was aware that she was physically unable to live independently. Happily we were able to point out that Mrs A did have choices and advocacy would be happy to liaise with all the professionals involved to ensure that her opinions and decisions are listened to. We discussed with Mrs. A the action we would be taking on her behalf to ensure they met with her approval.
Georgia had taken notes during the meeting which ended at 3.15pm; we spent 15 minutes discussing Mrs A’s case.
Arrived home just after 4pm having had a very varied day, bit tired but pleased.
Jill Wallace, peer volunteer advocate, Advocacy in Barnet
Older People Living with Cancer 