Patricia’s Path to Positivity with Communities 1st
Patricia*, originally from the north-east and now in her early seventies, has been using Communities 1st services for some nine years. I was looking forward to chatting with her and learning about her experience. I was richly rewarded. Patricia* is a warm, friendly woman, with a strong sense of Geordie humour. I soon realised that she is also strong-minded and will speak her mind!
She explained to me that in 2015 “I had a near death experience. I collapsed and was rushed to Barnet Hospital. I had sepsis – and that can be fatal. I was in hospital for five weeks. Like Mr. Trump, I’m really very lucky to be here today.” I commented that this must have been very frightening. She agreed, “Yes, I was terrified but, importantly, it also made me evaluate my life and that was positive. From then on, I was determined to live life to the full.”
And Patricia has tried to do just that. She went on the explain how Communities 1st has helped her in this mission
How Communities 1st has helped
Patricia* lives by herself in Borehamwood. She has three grown up children, of whom she is enormously proud, but they are now living some distance away. She added, laughing, “most of my friends are getting on a bit too, so I was really on my own.” She looked around for help and contacted Communities 1st when she saw some of their publicity.
When Patricia* came out of hospital, Communities 1st helped her with shopping. They have undertaken practical jobs, such as fixing her garden gate, putting up a bathroom mirror and fitting a door-knocker – “if a job needs to be done and I can’t do it, I will ask for help.” In the past, Patricia* has also been on outings which she enjoyed.
These days, Patricia* mainly uses the Hertsmere Shopper Bus and the community car service to take her to hospital appointments. She cannot speak highly enough of these services
Shopping in London Colney… and putting the world to rights over a cuppa
“I really enjoy my weekly shopping trips to London Colney,” Patricia* explained. “They work so well in lots of ways. I’m the last shopper to be picked up, then it’s a lovely short drive to the shopping centre. We shop mainly in Sainsburys and Marks, and then have about forty minutes for some coffee.” This is a highlight for Patricia* and real friendships are forged.
“This week there were four of us having a coffee and cake. Sometimes a couple who no longer use the shopper bus will come and join us which is lovely. We all get on very well – it’s very rare not to. In nine years, I can only remember one occasion when there was a problem.”
I couldn’t resist asking what the shoppers chat about. Patricia* humoured me! “All sorts of things,” she explained, patiently. “The state of the world; fears for our children and grandchildren; the fact that none of us regret not being young today. We talk about prices in Sainsburys.” She laughed, “This week we moaned the size of toilet rolls – they’ve got smaller!”
They return happily to their homes. The driver helps them on and off the mini-bus and with their bags. “They’re a good lot. They may be different each week, but they all get to know us.
Lifts to the hospital are a godsend
I asked Patricia* what her health is like today. She replied, “Knackered - excuse the word, but I’m worn out. My right knee is in a lot of pain and that’s treated with regular injections. My breathing is poor. I get hay fever. But I’m a tough cookie and I work through the pain.” Communities 1st helps with hospital appointments. She feels the drivers are always helpful and friendly.
As an illustration, she told me about her experience earlier in the week. “I had an appointment at the Pain Clinic in Watford Hospital and my driver, John*, picked me up at 7:45. I arrived but they couldn’t find the doctor! At 11 o’clock, I and two other patients were sent home, without seeing anyone. John* dropped me off.” John* thought Patricia* was very calm, commenting, “Anyone else would have been climbing the wall.” She felt there “was no point in kicking off. Where would that get you?” She hadn’t been home long when the phone rang. Watford Hospital saying the doctor had been found. Could she come back? Patricia* phoned “Communities 1st who were very helpful and John agreed to take her back to the hospital.”
“I felt that Communities 1st was very flexible and John*, like the other drivers, was willing to go the extra mile. The staff are always helpful when you speak to them.”
Always be positive… look up and don’t look down
Following her near death experience, Patricia* always tries to be positive. “In troubled times, I think above the trees and look to the light. Build on the strengths. You should never look down at the dark and at the roots because that will make you feel worse.” She draws on the positive experience that she has with Communities 1st and feels her life would be the poorer were it not for the services that they provide. To give Patricia* the last word, “Communities 1st are great. I’ve been with them for nine years. I wouldn’t have stayed so long if they weren’t so good.”
*Not their real names.