Six years ago, Dave Hollinger fell while skiing and experienced a brain stem stroke that left him with severe physical difficulties, diagnosed as locked-in syndrome.
He has just enough function in his right hand to control a powered wheelchair, and 95% of his communication is via a computer screen equipped with eye tracking technology that is attached to his wheelchair. This technology is his main connection to the world around him.
Originally from Northern Ireland, Dave, who is in his forties, moved to Willowbeck care home in Sheffield in 2020 and has since gone on to take up a significant role as the home’s Service User Ambassador.
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As an ambassador, Dave collects and shares feedback on behalf of other residents and their families to support the smooth running of the home.
In this role, Dave has also planned the walking stage of a triathlon event, organised a popular casino event, worked with Sheffield Hallam University to develop the curriculum for their social work and nursing courses, and co-designed the new Service User Ambassador fleece that’s worn when they provide tours of their homes.
Dave also sits on the Service User Council with ambassadors from each of Exemplar Health Care’s 51 homes. The group meets every few months to advise Exemplar Health Care’s leadership team on important initiatives, policies, and decisions across the company.
(Image: Exemplar Health Care)
Recently, this has included advising on the organisation’s policies and guidance documents to enhance accessibility, and co-producing videos for colleague induction and training to help new starters better understand the perspectives of the people living in Exemplar Health Care’s homes, how they like to be supported, and what life is like living with certain conditions.
Being a Service User Ambassador has also allowed Dave to contribute to the community he lives in, and towards the health and wellbeing of other residents, all of which build on his past skills and experience. Prior to his accident, he was employed as a Senior Instructor at the Scottish National Outdoor Centre, using his qualification as a British Mountain Guide to teach rock climbing, mountaineering and skiing in the UK and in the European Alps.
Dave has also been able to gain a better appreciation and understanding of how complex care services for working age adults are run and how management decisions are made, acknowledging it’s a part of the care sector he knew little about before his accident.
Willowbeck is run by Exemplar Health Care, one of the country’s leading nursing care providers for adults living with complex needs, which created the Service User Ambassador programme to empower the people they support to have a meaningful say in the running of their home and the wider organisation.
Dave Hollinger, Service User Ambassador at Willowbeck care home, said of his ambassador role: “I find it incredibly stimulating and it really helps with my own wellbeing and mental health. Throughout my journey, I’ve been grateful for my undiminished capacity to make decisions about my life.
“I’m aware that many others are not afforded the same opportunity so it’s important to me that I can represent residents at Willowbeck to support their ongoing quality of life and to shape how we are empowered to achieve our goals.
“Looking forward, I’d like to support care colleagues in continually developing their skills and having a better understanding of ‘why’ they’re doing something, alongside the ‘what’ and the ‘how’. My lived experience is invaluable to providing this insight and I think it will enhance the quality of care for everyone.
“This has also been a major driver for my involvement in our link with Sheffield Hallam University, and I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to shape the education of future Nurses and Social Workers so they can be better prepared to support people living with complex care needs.”
Dave is currently sourcing new photographs of Ladybower Reservoir, one of the most picturesque and recognisable places in the Peak District, to help redecorate the home.
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