3rd June 2023
Volunteer Story - Diane Rayner
Diane Rayner, 62, lives in Aberdeen. A former paediatric nurse, she signed up to become a volunteer with Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland but suffered a stroke just as she was about to take up the role. Three years on, Diane is celebrating both her recovery and a year as an admin volunteer with the charity.
The road to becoming a volunteer with Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland took a little longer than planned for Diane after she unexpectedly suffered a stroke just as her training ended.
However, nothing was going to deter the retired pediatric nurse from fulfilling the promise she’d made to her friend, Fiona Sales, who is the charity’s stroke nurse in Grampian.
Two years later than planned, Diane finally took up her role as an admin volunteer, working alongside Fiona at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and doing some work that frees Fiona up to spend more time with patients.
“I never thought doing this kind of volunteering was possible, but my years in nursing mean I am familiar with admin related to the job. And I also know how much time it takes. I was thrilled when I realised that I would be able to volunteer with Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland and help Fiona out. When I had my stroke, I had to forget about doing anything but trying to recover. Now I feel I’m doing something useful and important again. It’s a wonderful experience.”
Diane spent 37 years as a paediatric nurse, most of it in Aberdeen. After retiring, she was happy to offer her time to CHSS because of her friendship with Fiona. Having passed all the background checks and completed her training, she was raring to go when, just four days before her start date, she had a stroke.
The NHS Grampian team of stroke nurses, physiotherapists and occupational therapists swung into action to help with her recovery.
Diane says: “My recovery was a little bit hampered by Covid-19, but the team were absolutely wonderful. I lost the use of my left arm and leg, but my leg recovered quite quickly. The rehab helped with my shoulder and gave me confidence I could get out and about again. It took two years, but now I am happy to be volunteering at last with Fiona and love it. and I know how much Fiona appreciates my help because I see how much more time she can give to patients.
Volunteering has helped me in so many ways. I’ve been dealing with my mum going into a care home and other family health issues, as well as recovering from the stroke. Becoming a volunteer has helped me focus on something other than myself and whatever is worrying me. There’s such great personal satisfaction in feeling you are helping others. I also feel I’m giving something back to an organisation that does so much for stroke patients like me.”