“It’s such a beautiful place to be; it’s difficult to leave.” How volunteering with Mountbatten Isle of Wight helped Jacob get a new job.

After initially seeking a short volunteering role to bolster his CV for a future career in Occupational Therapy, Jacob Mills found himself ‘falling in love’ with the rehabilitation department at Mountbatten. What was meant to be a brief stint turned into a year-and-a-half-long commitment.

"I thought if I start here, I’ll be prepared for whatever comes next," Jacob explains. The challenge of working with complex conditions was balanced by a culture that surprised him with its ‘lightness.’ Instead of the heavy atmosphere he expected, Jacob found an incredible team where sadness co-existed with laughter, joy, and a healthy dialogue about death. “Death and dying is spoken about openly,” he says, “and accepted rather than hidden and ignored. That helps support everyone through it.”

CLICK HERE to find out more about volunteering with Mountbatten Isle of Wight

"Career-wise it helps, and spiritually and emotionally it gives a completely different perspective on life."

Jacob Mills

Jacob’s real-world experience at Mountbatten recently secured him a role as a Rehabilitation Assistant with the NHS. Faced with a series of hypothetical interview questions, Jacob realised he had lived his answers, and didn't need to imagine them. “I’ve learnt how to understand people’s individual needs and observe changes in their presentation. I’m so much more perceptive now, with the ability to adapt my input according to the variability in a person’s condition.”

As Jacob moves on to his new role, he reflects on the ‘honour and privilege’ of supporting patients through their most difficult moments. "Career-wise it helps, and spiritually and emotionally it gives a completely different perspective on life," Jacob says. "It makes you far more grateful. Mountbatten is such a beautiful place to be; it’s difficult to leave."

Volunteer with Mountbatten Isle of Wight and your time, experience and knowledge could help our hospice charity make a huge difference, as well as changing your life!

Volunteering is a great way to have fun, make new friends, learn new skills, enhance your CV, increase your self-confidence and give back to your community.

CLICK HERE to find out more about volunteering with Mountbatten Isle of Wight