From day service coordinator to managing logistics

My role as Pemberton Place coordinator then radically changed.

I started out looking after the wonderful space that is Pemberton Place.

Our place with its ability to host a variety of groups, sessions, one to one meetings and specialist clinics, changed overnight and immediately seemed to shrink from a busy vibrant space to a very quiet place indeed.

My team was redeployed, all but two of our volunteers were to shield and other teams using the space have done pretty much
the same, although we continue to pursue ways to stay connected to those who attended our programme of services or clinics with regular calls and sending out activity packs.

I now find myself managing logistics, ensuring my colleagues have the correct PPE to continue delivering the standards of care we strive for.

Coordinating deliveries, organising storage and managing the incredible amount of donations from our local and wider communities is, on some days, overwhelming and humbling in equal measure.

Ensuring everyone has what they need has given me insight to a whole different world.

I'm probably known across much of the hospice site but my profile has reached new heights as people regularly now approach me with questions like, "Andrea, I don't suppose you can you get me?" or "Where would I get another one of these?"

I can now tell you the different properties of one surgical mask over another and find that 'thingamabob' easily in the store. No two days are alike and I often reach 10,000 steps before leaving work!

Another task I was challenged with - to create some video for our contribution to the media coverage of Clap for Carers.

This venture went from a static film of our staff clapping, to writing and recording lyrics for the staff to sing, videoing short clips then stitching them together for Thursday nights at 8.

So, as my old quartermaster would say, "You want two new tunics? Here's one and a handful of buttons now, GET YOUR HAIR CUT!" - Challenge, accepted!