Life-changing opportunities
From Life Coach to caring for donors, Paul Cumbers, Donor Care Supervisor, tells us about his new direction.
We save lives and there are not many jobs where you can say that.Paul Cumbers
Donor Care Supervisor
Paul's story
I have worked for NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) for nearly 7 years at the West End Donor Centre (London). I was a Healthcare Assistant in Blood Donation before I became a Donor Care Supervisor.
I started to work here after seeing an advert in the London Standard. I was working as a freelance life coach and although I enjoyed it, I was turning 40, so I was looking for a new direction in life.
My mum is a long-standing blood donor and always finds donating blood a positive experience, so I had heard good things about NHSBT from her.
In my role I help run the sessions as a Supervisor and assist with screening and venepuncture (putting a needle in a donors arm to take blood).
My team sees around 200 donors per day so we are one of the busiest teams. I love my job and enjoy the good we do. It is an extremely important role and we have met so many interesting people.
I work with a fantastic team and even when we are short staffed we help each other out as there is a great camaraderie. It is a great team to be part of.
Though it is hard work, I find the role rewarding and I get a lot of job satisfaction. I would recommend NHSBT to anyone. It is ideal if you enjoy helping people. NHSBT is part of the NHS which is a magnificent institution and I am proud to be part of it.
Since I have started working here my wife and some friends have become donors and they were not in the past. They all love donating now.
My only regret is that I did not start to work for NHSBT sooner.