I’m currently working as a band 5 dietitian at Addenbrooke’s where my role is split between acute stroke and rehabilitation wards and a wide range of band 5 wards (medicine for the elderly, infectious diseases, vascular). I have worked at CUH for a year - my first job as a dietitian after completing my master’s degree in Nutrition and Dietetics last March. I have lived in many different places over the last few years including Glasgow, Liverpool, Chester and a year in Brisbane, Australia. I love travelling, cooking (and eating!) and have always wanted to travel to India to experience the vibrant culture and flavourful food.
When I heard about the opportunity to volunteer with the RAMA foundation this summer, I was very eager to apply as it combined my passion to help people and for my job with my desire to travel and learn about new cultures. I hope to learn new skills that will help my development both professionally and personally. As someone who is still quite newly qualified, there are many aspects of healthcare that I am yet to learn about. I am also keen to put what I have learned over the last year to the test by working with patients and colleagues from an entirely different country and culture. I have heard amazing things from the dietitians who have volunteers with the RAMA foundation previously and they could not recommend it highly enough! I am expecting to have a varied experience in the hospice and hospital in India on home visits, on wards, creating and delivering presentations on a range of topics and liaising with the hospital’s Dietitian and other healthcare professionals. I am most nervous about feeling overwhelmed by the vast difference between India and my home and trying to apply myself to a new environment as best as I can. I am also worried about my ability to cope with the heat – I did not do well in the recent heatwave!
I hope this trip will leave me with lifelong memories as well as a strong sense of perspective, the ability to adapt to different situations and a stronger sense of self-confidence at work and in my personal life. I am very grateful for the opportunity and to all the people who have donated to our fundraising efforts so far and look forward to going to India with Artika and the rest of the team!
Rebecca is joining an amazing team of self funded Rama Foundation volunteers going to India in August 2025. You can support them here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/cghpindia?utm_medium=FA&utm_source=CL