Alisha-Mai Stevens – Giving Back through personal experience

At just 17 years old, Alisha-Mai Stevens is already making a difference in the NHS.

Currently in sixth form, studying English Literature, Psychology, and History, Alisha-Mai volunteers every Saturday in the Discharge Lounge at Princess Royal Hospital in Telford. Her role involves offering patients drinks, collecting items from the pharmacy, and helping them prepare to leave hospital safely.

Personal ties to the NHS

Alisha-Mai lives in Telford with her family, including her older brother and younger sister. Her decision to volunteer was deeply shaped by personal experience — her mum, Sharon, has lived with cancer since the year after Alisha-Mai was born. Growing up with regular hospital visits gave Alisha-Mai a first-hand appreciation for the pressures healthcare staff face and the impact that extra support can have.

She explains:

“It started off with my mum’s illness. She’s had cancer since the year after I was born. I’ve spent so much time in hospitals, I’ve seen how busy doctors and nurses are. I just wanted to give back and help in any way I could.”

Alisha-Mai first heard about volunteering through her school, where teachers recommended it as a great opportunity. She applied in December and began her placement in early 2023. Before starting on the wards, she completed extensive online training in fire safety, data handling, safeguarding children and adults, and even opted into additional wheelchair training to increase the ways she could support patients.

“You could just do the mandatory training, but I wanted to do more — like the wheelchair training. That way I could help more patients.”

Since joining, Alisha-Mai has grown in confidence and even started helping newer volunteers settle into the discharge lounge. She has learned how to adapt to different patients’ needs and has enjoyed listening to their personal stories.

One unforgettable moment came when a patient in the lounge suffered a cardiac arrest:

 “I was really nervous, but I managed to run to the other side of the hospital and grab the medical equipment the doctors needed. They saved him. I know I only played a small part, but it felt amazing to have helped in some way.”

This moment reinforced for Alisha-Mai how valuable volunteers can be, even in high-pressure clinical situations.

Highlights of the journey

For Alisha-Mai, the most rewarding part has been connecting with patients and offering them comfort during a difficult time:

 “I’ve had lovely conversations with patients — some with cancer like my mum, others recovering from accidents or operations. Hearing their stories makes you grateful for what you have.”

Personal growth

Through volunteering, Alisha-Mai has gained:

• Confidence in speaking with people of all ages and backgrounds
• A deeper gratitude for her own life circumstances
• Inspiration for her future career path, potentially in psychology or healthcare

 “It’s made me feel a lot more grateful for the things I do have compared to other people.”

Alisha-Mai hopes to go on to university, possibly to study psychology, and is keeping her options open for a healthcare-related career. She plans to continue volunteering at Princess Royal Hospital, and in the future, once she learns to drive, she is considering becoming a voluntary driver — helping patients travel safely between hospital and home.

When asked what she would say to someone considering volunteering, Alisha-Mai is clear:

“Definitely do it — it’s such a great experience, and you’ll really enjoy it.”

Alisha-Mai’s journey shows how personal experiences can inspire young people to give back. Even at 17, she is not only supporting NHS staff and patients but also shaping her own future through the confidence, skills, and sense of purpose she has gained.