Our Health Programmes
Victoria’s Story highlights the benefits of working with athlete mentors to support recovery
In 2022, Dame Kelly Holmes Trust delivered a pilot project at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital providing one-to-one mentoring programmes with world-class athlete mentors, supporting young people on their journey to recovery during or following their time spent in hospital for a range of conditions. The project, which was co-designed by young people, has since developed and become operational across more hospitals, supporting patients this year at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), with further delivery due to re-start in Alder Hey and start in Sheffield Children’s Hospital.
This specialised programme offers young patients one-to-one mentoring designed to use personal, social and emotional development practices to increase the participants’ confidence, self-esteem and resilience. Athlete mentors, who are trained by the Trust, use their unique skills and experience from the world of elite sport to act as mentors and role models for young people, promoting the intrinsic link between physical and mental wellbeing as a core concept. The athlete mentors offer encouragement, support and importantly, someone to talk to who is not part of their healthcare plan – which is considered extremely valuable by many of the young people.
At GOSH, in a programme that is being funded by Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity (GOSH Charity) the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust is currently working with 46 young people. All the sessions with the athlete mentors being delivered online to be accessible from hospital and during recovery. The sessions focus on encouraging and motivating young people to become more active during their hospital stay, and once they return home. At the beginning of the programme, young people are encouraged to choose an athlete mentor they feel they best relate to and will take part in a minimum of three one-to-one mentoring sessions.
Lucy Waller, Team Lead & Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist, Cancer, BMT, Immunology & Infectious Diseases at GOSH said of the programme:
“It has been fantastic to be part of the pilot project between the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust and Great Ormond Street Hospital.
“It has made a really positive impact on the young people who have completed the programme so far. Having someone else to talk to outside of the healthcare setting, someone who they can relate to in terms of overcoming challenges in life and can promote the important link between physical and psychological wellbeing, seems key to the success of the programme. So far, the benefits we have seen include improved self-confidence and wellbeing, an increase in the attitude to, as well as the amount of, physical activity participation per week, and improved resilience and self-esteem.”
Alex Kurek, Dame Kelly Holmes Trust Programme Manager said:
“We are delighted that the programme with Great Ormond Street Hospital is already having such a positive impact. We have received great feedback and support from the practitioners and the parents of patients involved so far.”
Victoria’s recovery boosted by special health programme
Victoria, a patient at GOSH, was matched with Laura Gallagher.
Originally from Malta, Victoria was diagnosed with cancer and other illnesses which over time meant she had to use a wheelchair. Her time in GOSH was initially meant to be a short stay but turned out to be much longer, meaning Victoria and her mum Aleksandra were away from the rest of the family in Malta - something Victoria found hard as she has a special bond with her siblings back home.
Laura, a former Trampolining Olympic and World Champion found an instant and great connection with Victoria. She said:
“After meeting Victoria for the first time, I was blown away at how bubbly and resilient she was. Victoria’s motto in hospital was ‘just stay alive to see my siblings’ and she talked a lot about how much they meant to her”
Laura was able to inspire, encourage and help Victoria in her recovery with activities to support her mental and physical wellbeing. They worked together on some useful exercises Victoria could do from her wheelchair, with highlights including seated Zumba and boxing as well as using drawing as a way of telling Laura more about herself.
Speaking about her journey with Laura, Victoria said:
“Having an Athlete Mentor made me feel special as you don’t often get the chance to meet someone who has done something so significant.
It gave me the self-motivation to do more, and I got a different perspective on things from Laura.”
Victoria has now been reunited with her family in Malta and has also returned to school. Time in the wheelchair is reducing, and Victoria is excited for what the future holds for her.
Reflecting on the whole programme, Aleksandra, Victoria’s mum said:
“Laura was amazing, and it was better to have someone not involved directly with the hospital supporting Victoria on her journey to recovery.”
If you are interested in hearing more about our one-to-one mentoring programmes in hospitals, or would like to introduce it into your hospital, get in touch contact@damekellyholmestrust.org