Jake Williams has been dedicating his weekends to volunteering as a carer at the hospice for the past two and a half years, on top of his full-time job at Titan Wealth. He also works in the hospice kitchen on week nights – cooking individual meals, catered to each patient’s request.
His hours of dedication and care earned him his halo as Angel of the Year at this year’s Guernsey Press Pride of Guernsey Awards.
Titan Wealth backed up his success by donating a gift of his choice to the local charity. Mr Williams said he knew exactly what was on the nursing teams’ wish list – a specialised stethoscope for nurses with hearing impairments.
The device will allow everyone to perform their duties fully, including verifying death.
‘We’ve got four nurses with hearing problems – a few with hearing aids,’ said Mr Williams.
‘This one will Bluetooth it to your phone or headphones, or it’s got an amplifier. It saves calling a doctor in to verify a death, which makes the workplace more accessible.
‘All of the nurses should feel able to do the entirety of their job and not be restricted by their disability.’
Les Bourgs care manager Letishia Vermeulen said the small device would add huge value to the hospice.
‘It’s such a crucial thing when you go and verify a death that anybody questions themselves,’ she said.
‘You have to listen so carefully. There’s quite a procedure to follow, and you can imagine for anybody having difficulty to hear, how much more difficult that is for them.
‘When a family member has passed away, the family is by that time so exhausted – emotionally and physically drained – that to then have to wait for the doctor on call to come out just prolongs that emotional energy. Not only that, they then get a bill through the post to warrant that doctor verification.
‘With this stethoscope, all the nurses can verify straight away. Time efficiency-wise, for the patients and their relatives, and financially, this really helps.
‘Everything on my list, even for next year, I have to fundraise for. It doesn’t get budgeted. So when I heard about this I said “Jakey, I could kiss you”.’
Delivering the stethoscope alongside Mr Williams was Titan’s CEO, Robin Newbould.
‘We’ve all got very busy jobs and don’t do what Jake does on the weekends,’ he said.
‘So we felt both ashamed and proud at the same time. I’m really pleased to support this wonderful hospice.
‘It holds a special place in my heart because it’s where mum came to go.’
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