Northampton chef who has spent a year volunteering on wards set to fundraise for other hospital volunteers

A young woman who works as a chef has dedicated the last year to volunteering at Northampton General Hospital.

Chloe Adams, from Weston Favell, has been on-and-off furloughed from her chef job with McManus pubs for the last 12 months.

While the 24-year-old has been unable to work, she has instead volunteered at the Cliftonville hospital on various wards and taken on several roles, including providing company for patients who cannot see relatives, organising video calls to loved ones and delivering patient property.

Now, after working almost full-time for a large part of the last year and meeting hundreds of other dedicated volunteers, Chloe wants to raise money for a hospital garden where staff can unwind, so is taking on an abseiling fundraiser.

Chloe said: “I’ve always been a caring person and between going back to work for periods of time I thought why not volunteer.

“I’m currently working on the chemotherapy ward bringing teas and coffees to patients who are unable to have relatives with them while they receive treatment.

“I’ve been on wards previously and ever since I started I have loved it. At the moment, I’m pretty much working five days a week.

“For patients, not being able to see their relatives is a big thing so it’s important to be there and reassure them.

“I have had patients tell me that having a volunteer with them brightens up their day.”

Chloe originally signed up to become a volunteer through The Volunteer Service, which provided the training she needed to get started and also organises the hundreds of other volunteers placed across the hospital.

The service is now looking into building a relaxation garden for volunteers at the hospital to help them unwind and chat to each at a safe distance about their shifts.

To help with the garden, Chloe is abseiling down the Lift Tower in July to raise funds for the works.

She added: “It’s quite stressful to be at the hospital at the moment and the volunteer building is quite small so it’s hard to talk to each and social distance.

“The garden will help us all to unwind.

“For all the ups and downs volunteers go through, it would mean a lot to all and they all deserve it as they are so hard working, which is why I want to help by fundraising.”

Chloe says she is not scared of heights, but is definitely nervous to take on the abseiling challenge.

To support Chloe’s fundraiser and donate, visit her GoFundMe page.

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