However, in 2007, Declan was offered a job as Community Programmes Manager for the Older Adults programme – leaving nursing behind to pursue his work at Central YMCA. It is unique, so I applied to volunteer.”īy 2005, Declan had moved to the Cancer and HIV wards at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in South Kensington, balancing his part-time work at the Club with his nursing career. I don’t think there is any other exercise or social prescription programme which focusses on the condition of HIV. “It is, to my knowledge, one-of-a-kind in the whole of the UK. With his background in medical care for people with HIV, Declan describes how he was inspired by the Positive Health programme: ![]() He first started as a volunteer on our Positive Health Programme, an exercise referral programme for those living with HIV, before becoming an employed Fitness Instructor on the programme in 2005. ![]() That’s what I’ve always wanted to recreate, when I was lucky enough to become a manager.”ĭeclan’s journey with the Club started in 2000. I honestly felt so welcomed when I first arrived, and so safe and listened to. I had no idea of the impact that it would have on my life. “I remember the day that I walked through the doors at reception when I came to apply as a volunteer. Having joined Central YMCA in 1999, he still remembers his tutors Denise Page and Tracy Bell “you know they were good tutors when you remember their names 20-odd years later!” It was these inspiring tutors who directed Declan to a volunteering opportunity at YMCA Club. “I looked up YMCA, because I knew they had a good reputation.” While working full-time as a nurse, Declan pursued his interest in health and fitness by also studying to become a personal trainer with Central YMCA: Although he only expected to stay for one and a half years, he's still here over twenty years later!ĭeclan’s motivation to help others led him to his first job in London – working with Cancer and HIV+ patients at St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington. After qualifying as a nurse, Declan arrived in the UK in 1996. He trained in nursing at the prestigious Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town - the first hospital in the world to ever perform a successful heart transplant. Before YMCAĭeclan was born in South Africa, where he graduated from Pinelands High School in 1988. To celebrate this achievement, we are sharing his incredible story. Declan’s work and dedication is being highlighted along with 7 others, before the winner is announced in early June. The award highlights those who have impacted and inspired the people they engage with, as well as showcasing the transformational impact of physical activity on health, happiness, and wellbeing. The ukActive Physical Activity Hero Award We are so proud of Declan for this recognition and for everything he has achieved. ![]() These include health and wellbeing programmes for Older Adults, for people living with HIV, people recovering from Cancer, those with mental health problems as well as our short lifestyle courses and volunteering programme. After a long journey at Central YMCA, Declan is now our Community Programmes & Volunteer Manager and is responsible for a great number of programmes which have a considerable impact in our communities.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |