Our Newlife Nurses are the heartbeat of the charity \u2013 there for families in the moments they need support most. They make time to listen, offer reassurance, and point people towards the right support. And just like nurses working in hospitals and GP surgeries across the country, no two days are ever the same; what unites them is a deep desire to make a difference to the people who turn to them.<\/p>\n
To mark International Nurses Day, we caught up with registered nurses Karen, Beth, and Annette to hear what their work at Newlife looks like \u2013 from meeting families face to face at community events and national shows, to offering guidance and reassurance over the phone when they\u2019re office-based.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe all love going out to meet families at events,\u201d said Beth. \u201cIt\u2019s so lovely to chat face to face. We can spend quality time exploring how best we can support each family, and we get feedback from them too. It also helps us build bonds of trust. We go to events as often as we can, but we\u2019re also very lucky to have the time to spend with families when they call \u2013 something we know our colleagues in healthcare settings don\u2019t always have.”<\/p>\n
Whether they\u2019re speaking to someone in person or at the other end of the phone, the Newlife nurses never know what they\u2019ll be asked about. But they all agree on one thing: personal connection \u2013 and having the time to talk things through properly \u2013 can make all the difference.<\/p>\n
Annette said: \u201cSometimes we might be talking to the parent of a very poorly child, or a professional looking for suitable equipment for a child who is very ill. Or it\u2019s a call from a family whose child has a brand-new diagnosis, and they don\u2019t know what the future holds. Whatever the reason, we respond to each call based on its unique needs.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to be on our toes \u2013 trying to understand what the family\u2019s experience has been, as well as their needs and the challenges they are facing. Our aim is to support and empower them with tips and strategies on a wide range of issues, and to help them navigate different services.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt can be overwhelming when you\u2019re trying to make sense of a diagnosis and what the future might look like. Parents and carers can offload to us, and we can then signpost them to the relevant professionals for the right assessment and support.\u201d<\/p>\n
Karen added: \u201cA lot of the time, while families are talking their worries through with us, they come to their own conclusions and answer their own questions. Every family is on their own journey, and we have lots of resources available to support them.<\/p>\n
\u201cOften people start off talking about something practical \u2013 like a buggy \u2013 but as we chat, they gradually make their way round to the real reason they called, which is often emotional support. By the end, the equipment application might be submitted, but just as importantly, they feel heard. They leave the conversation with signposting and reassurance that helps them feel more able to cope.\u201d<\/p>\n
Karen continued: \u201cNursing should be a vocation \u2013 you have to have that desire to help and support. The beauty of this job is that, even if we\u2019re not always physically present, we can easily spend an hour with a parent or carer talking things through. With the pressures on NHS services, that\u2019s not always something other professionals are able to offer.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter how you feel when you come in to start your day here \u2013 you know it\u2019s going to be rewarding. Helping someone feel less alone and more able to cope, just by being there, really does make a difference.\u201d<\/p>\n
On International Nurses Day \u2013 and every day \u2013 we\u2019re proud to recognise the compassion, expertise, and time our Newlife nurses give to families across the UK. If you\u2019re feeling overwhelmed, unsure where to turn, or simply need someone to talk things through with, Newlife is here to listen and help you find the right next step.<\/p>\n