Volunteer now studying for a nursing degree at Salford University

Fortunee Broha joined Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust as a volunteer in April 2021, having worked at home as a commercial litigation paralegal during the first year of the pandemic. Fortunee felt that volunteering would improve her wellbeing, as society “woke up”. As her passion is to achieve a nursing degree specialising in paediatric care, she had previously volunteered in the local Manchester church community, looking after children up to the age of 4 and, helping them with homework.

In addition, she felt she wanted to “give something back” to the NHS, in Manchester City Centre, where her heart was. Fortunee took the opportunity to fill her volunteering hours from the minute she started. Alongside her Meet and Greet role, she helped out at the Children’s Genetics Eye Clinic, Royal Manchester Eye Hospital and with extra training, learnt to navigate visually impaired patients across the hospital site for scans and treatment. It wasn’t long before Fortunee “stood out” supporting the MFT Virtual Visiting role. An initiative enabling inpatients to communicate with family members online, using an electronic device. Thus providing, comfort and support to and from patients and their families virtually, whilst freeing up busy clinical staff at this critical time.

Fortunee was passionate, enthusiastic, and willing to help, no matter how emotionally challenging the calls became. Fortunee had empathy and understanding of this emotional role, where family spoke to their loved-ones – maybe for the last time, which made this specific volunteer role so valued. Her determination to get a task done and help at short notice was invaluable during the pandemic and she “shone” as the Complex Patient Programme was commissioned in September 2021.

The Programme provided a structure to identify complex patients and support care to be delivered to this diverse patient group. As a ward volunteer, with dyslexia herself, Fortunee contributed highly to this role by showing understanding. In February 2022 she was successful in her application for a Voluntary Services Assistant at Oxford Road Campus. Having already contributed 112 hours of volunteering she “hit the ground running” to support volunteers from her own personal experience. Fortunee identified with compassion and a caring nature.

As she” bloomed” in this role, she completed additional training such as hand massage, wheelchair and fire safety training to support volunteers further, and gained further respect. Fortunee was deservedly successful in her application for a Nursing Degree at Salford University commencing in September 2022. She will be missed immensely but we are extremely proud that she is one of our successful “volunteer to career” teammate’s and is able to progress to such a rewarding clinical role with children.

Nominated for the 2022 Volunteer to Career category

Enjoyed reading this story? Why not read all the Wall of Fame stories here.