From Volunteer to Trustee: Sian's Inspiring Journey with the Friends of Ealing Hospital
In the early stages of her career, Sian embarked on a journey to gain work experience by getting involved with Ealing Hospital. Initially, her plan was to shadow Sam, a surgeon at the hospital, for just a couple of days. Little did she know that this experience would be the starting point of her involvement with the Friends of Ealing Hospital.
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Reflecting on her early days, Sian recalls, "I honestly didn’t know too much about what the Friends were about?and I had kind of a funny way of getting involved here." It was Sam who recognised her potential and encouraged her to join the League of Friends.
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Sian's first introduction to the League of Friends came through Ann, a dedicated volunteering manager with the Friends of Ealing Hospital. Initially, she believed her role would revolve around making tea, brewing coffee, and washing dishes at the hospital's café. However, as she engaged in conversations with Ann, her perception evolved, and she began to understand the cafe's true purpose and significance.
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Ann shared her own volunteering story and the cafe's mission, shedding light on the profound impact it had on the hospital community. This revelation was the turning point that encouraged Sian's commitment and passion for the cause.
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As Sian's involvement deepened, she found herself increasingly inspired to connect with people, leading her to extend her volunteer work to fill gaps whenever she had free time, particularly during the summer when the Friends of Ealing Hospital team faced staffing challenges due to holidays.
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Recalling those days, Sian said, "I was 16 at the time. Whenever I had time off from school, I would always help out. Or if they needed posters, or anything I could do remotely, I would be there. And I think I just got more and more involved, until I became a trustee"
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Sian's dedication didn't go unnoticed, and she soon found herself taking on a multitude of roles within the organisation. She handled email communications, crafted responses, and designed promotional posters for various events. Sian also developed close ties with the committee, actively discussing upcoming events, marketing strategies, and participating in committee meetings.
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The turning point in Sian's journey occurred when the committee approached her with an offer that would further elevate her involvement—becoming a trustee. Sian remarked, “I had never been a trustee before, but I felt like I was useful as part of the team "
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Despite being the youngest trustee on board, Sian brought a fresh perspective and diverse experiences to the table. Her background in the fashion industry allowed her to contribute in unique ways, particularly in the field of public relations. She excelled in tasks like writing press releases, doing posters and being able to use different software, saving the Ealing Hospital League of Friends from outsourcing these functions. Her distinctive viewpoint and ability to approach things from an outsider's perspective greatly benefited the committee's decision-making processes.
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Go check Sian’s interview to learn more about her story : https://friendsvoices.co.uk/the-collection/sian-gabari-ealing-hospital-league-of-friends/
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