Rachel Giles has been providing care and help at William Harvey Hospital since 1998; now a ward manager Rachel notes “the pressures on the NHS have increased immensely over the past 25 years, but I wouldn’t have wanted to have done any other job”.
The staff of the NHS deserve more from this country as we simply couldn’t do without them as we’ve learnt in the last 16 months during the pandemic that has at points had the NHS on its knees. Rachel says “The COVID pandemic has been a challenge to all and I am so proud of my team and how amazing they have been through such a tough time”.
All the heroes at William Harvey Hospital need to be celebrated but let’s start with Rachel Giles and her new found skillset, as CommunityAd learnt of the photo montage of nurses that resides in the hospital created by Rachel we thought we’d find out more from the multi-talented nurse. “After the first wave I decided to take up a hobby that was creative and that I could do in lockdown, where going out was limited. Photography is something I had thought about in the past but not pursued”.
A camera is the perfect companion on a Kentish walk, isn’t it? Have you enjoyed rediscovering Kent through the lens?
Exploring Kent has been great and obviously I have been able to travel further as lockdown was lifted. Living in the ‘Garden of England’ has definitely helped in finding some great places to photograph. I have been able to visit Bedgebury Pinetum, Deal, Folkestone, Wye Downs, Kingsnorth Ashford, Bethersden woods, Eastwell, Lullingstone Castle and London. It’s important to take in the environment you are photographing, don’t just look in front, but look up at the sky and the trees and look down at the flowers, insects, leaves on the ground, stones on the beach and patterns and shapes created by nature.
Why would you recommend people take up a creative hobby?
I love creativity and it can help with taking your mind off of any stress. Having a finished product – whether it’s an image, something painted, or sewn it can be very satisfying. Giving away whatever you make is a unique way of saying ‘thank you’ or ‘I’m thinking of you’ to friends and neighbours. Friends and neighbours have become so much more important during COVID.