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Geraldine Beswick - Sandpipers, Vitalise, Southport

I was so nervous about my work experience placement, at Sandpipers, a holiday centre for people with physical disabilities in Southport that I was considering cancelling it and changing to something else. I’m so glad that I didn’t. It was an incredible experience and I enjoyed it so much that I plan to go back next year as an independent volunteer.

My work at Sandpipers was mostly social care which is basically social interaction with guests. Many of the guests do not have much social interaction in their daily lives, apart from with carers and nurses, so they love the opportunity to talk to people and to be treated as an equal and not a patient. This is what makes Vitalise centres unique (there are centres in London, Southampton, Nottingham and Cornwall as well as in Southport) Vitalise is the only organisation in the UK which provides both specially equipped buildings and 24 hour nurses and care staff who work alongside volunteers (who often work one to one with guests) to ensure that a guest gets as much as possible out of their stay.

It’s best to be honest and say that there is an aspect of personal care involved. You will be asked to do things such as feed people and perhaps help them to get dressed. If this will make you uncomfortable, Vitalise isn’t the place for you! At Sandpipers you are only asked to do what you are comfortable with, and if you have no experience of working with people with physical disabilities it is unlikely you will be assigned to a high maintenance guest. The policies at each centre may differ slightly so it’s best to check this out beforehand.

The work is extremely tiring, both physically and mentally. I had to be up at 7 a.m. and there are trips out most days which can mean a lot of pushing wheelchairs. It’s good exercise though! Sandpipers do give you some scheduled time off, but again the policies differ slightly with each centre and some centres you don’t go to bed until your guest does! Having to be constantly mentally aware of what different guests might need is also very tiring. However, you don’t realise how tired you are until you get home because you will spend the fortnight enjoying yourself!

The first week I spent at Sandpipers was Youth Week (guests aged 18-40) This was really lively but incredibly tiring as none of the guests ever wanted to go to bed! My second week was more sedate, but could be a little boring at times. I did get some sleep though! Depending on what you’re looking for, it might be best to pick a themed week, which are usually more lively. If you’re there for two weeks, a mixture might be best. The centres provide listings of themed weeks so it should be easy to book whatever you think will suit you.

My elder sister is special needs, and so I thought I knew all there was to know about working with people with disabilities, but I was wrong! Having to confront the issue of wheelchair access is a real eye-opener and you will find yourself becoming aware of (and annoyed by) things such as high kerbs, uneven paving stones, shop assistants who speak to you instead of your guest and impatient drivers who won’t wait for you to struggle across a road with a heavy wheelchair. It will definitely change your perspective and make you more tolerant. Hearing some of the guests stories will show you how difficult some people’s lives can be and will make you appreciate how lucky you are.

Volunteering for Vitalise suits the more independent person because to a large extent you are left to your own devices and have to think on your feet. After a few days however, it will become second nature and you will have an amazing time. My time at Sandpipers was challenging and tiring, but it changed the way I think about others and myself. I have become much more confident as a result of my stay as Vitalise centres make you come out of your shell. It was an incredible experience and one which I feel very privileged to have been part of. I would definitely recommend it to any Rank Foundation volunteer for their work experience.