As family support lead I connect with Heart Families at Bristol Children’s hospital at pre-admission clinic or on Dolphin Ward. Families are understandably very anxious about the prospect of surgery, so I am there to reassure and answer any questions they may have. Having spent many hours at Bristol Children’s Hospital myself with Calum, my lived experience helps families feel relaxed and able to ask lots of questions. It always feels good when you can see that chatting together has helped put their minds at rest and provided some reassurance during a very stressful time. I always love seeing Heart Heroes families in hospital, the children always have a big smile and ask ‘what are you doing here?’. A familiar face feels so reassuring to them in what can be a very scary environment. https://heartheroes.co.uk/pages/locations

I am also ‘I Can’ lead for Bristol which I love. It is always a joy to see the heart children and their siblings having lots of fun each month participating in fun activities. It is great to see the children building friendships and growing in confidence as they take on new challenges. I love seeing them running in to the sessions to see their friends and then telling me ‘they have had the best time’ at the end of the session. ‘I Can’ really is such a positive programme for our children.