A RETIRED Malvern nurse is set to lend her hand to the community by dedicating her time and effort to the elderly.
Sandra Connolly, of Hanley Castle, has set up By Your Side in a bid to combat isolation and support independence for those who need it most.
The 56-year-old, who retired from the NHS after 37 years of working as a community nurse in Malvern and Worcester, told the Observer the loneliness of patients she had seen during her time in the role was the trigger point to start her venture.
“One thing a lot of patients said was that they were not so concerned about the medical side, it was the fact they were lonely, isolated or couldn’t get out and about,” she said.
“No matter how much treatment and help we give people medically if they have not got that social contact, if they can’t get out and about, it has such a big impact on them.
“I found it really difficult to find something I wanted to do when I took early retirement because I am a people person, I do love people and all my life I have been in the caring industry so it was in the back of my mind to do this.”
Sandra highlighted an incident where she transported an elderly man and his wife, who struggled with mobility, to go out for fish and chips and hasn’t looked back since.
“There did seem to be a gap where people couldn’t always access transport or just go out and about,” she added.
“So after looking around and with all the thoughts in my head from working as a nurse I had it in my heart that it would be lovely to fill that niche to help people get out and about.
“It is not just about transporting someone, it is about going to their home, helping them get out and about and supporting them as much or as little as they need to be there by their side.”
