Ship Science Student Volunteers at NHS Nightingale

Southampton student, Mary Strutt, swapped ship science for scrubs when she was deployed as part of St John Ambulance to volunteer at London Excel’s NHS Nightingale hospital.

Mary, was already an experienced first aider and had volunteered at various public events including marathons, sports matches and festivals since being at the university. Her role before the COVID-19 pandemic was largely pre-hospital care, but the opportunity to volunteer at NHS Nightingale offered another side of the coin.

Mary was tasked with caring for the patients who had just come off of a ventilator. She was also given the role of restocking the equipment trolleys and taking basic observations. However, Mary said her most important job was talking to the patients and telling them about what she saw on her daily walks.

Watch the video to hear more about her experience: