From local care home to global compassion: Shubhan's inspiring journey
Shubhan Selvaranjan, a 19-year-old Care Assistant at Pratt House care home in Amersham, reflects on how volunteering at home and abroad has taught him invaluable lessons.
Shubhan has lived in Amersham for over ten years and is heading to university in autumn to study medicine. Having completed his A Levels at Dr Challoner’s Grammar School, he is mid-way through a gap year, during which he has taken up a job at Pratt House to gain experience and fund volunteering adventures abroad.
Finding a purpose at Pratt House
“My journey at Pratt House started as work experience when I was 16. I was interested in healthcare and eager to make a difference. Following the focus on care homes during the pandemic, I felt inspired to contribute.
“There are misconceptions of what care homes are really like. They are sometimes thought of as isolating places, when in truth we support vulnerable people to live life to its fullest. The staff were so welcoming, and the residents were lovely. It was a privilege to hear their stories and laugh with them.
“I really enjoyed the experience and found I couldn’t stay away. I asked if I could take on a voluntary role, and ended up volunteering at the home for two years.
“I applied to be a carer at Pratt House to gain further experience. The team is very supportive – it truly feels like a family here. Being able to leave at the end of the day knowing you have made a difference is a great feeling. Even if I wasn’t offered the job, I definitely would have stayed on as a volunteer!”
Global lessons in care
Shubhan is no stranger to helping others, having spent last summer volunteering at a hospital in Arusha, Tanzania.
“Seeing the amazing perseverance of people facing hardships, in a system that is not accessible for everyone, was so heartbreaking, yet inspiring. It was a stark contrast to the care we are fortunate to receive in the UK that we often take for granted. Helping on the paediatric ward was highly rewarding and it was lovely to talk and be with the children; I was also given the opportunity to help on the emergency, physiotherapy and maternity wards.
“It was an honour to work with the doctors, nurses and other volunteers. I met amazing people, and will forever carry a piece of Tanzania in my heart. Together, we travelled the region and even painted a local primary school. One of us set up a fundraiser to help provide educational materials and healthcare equipment for the hospital, raising over £2,000.”
Since he returned, alongside working at Pratt House, Shubhan has embarked on some fundraising for the Amersham-based MPS Society, a charity that helps people affected by Mucopolysaccharidoses, a family of rare genetic diseases – a cause very close to his heart.
“My brother, Shiv, was affected by MPS and sadly passed away when he was two years old. Seeing the children and families on the wards in Tanzania often made me think of him and what my parents went through, so I decided to do something to honour his memory and hopefully make a difference to other children’s lives.
“I organised a stall at Chesham market in October, raising a few hundred pounds selling my home-made baked goods. The bakery across the road were impressed with my sales technique and even offered me a job, which was very sweet!
“I set up a JustGiving page, which has raised over £3,000 for the charity so far, and a further thousand through CAF and Gift Aid donations. My family and I are so grateful and blown away by the response. The funds raised go towards research on treatments, events and specialist support for families. I recently helped with the Society’s fundraiser at Chesham United, which raised £600. I look forward to supporting the MPS Matters Conference in June and continuing my fundraising efforts.
“I aspire to do charity work and volunteer for as long as I am able – I look for how I can make a difference in everything I do. We must always champion causes that need support.”
The heart of the role
Shubhan is enjoying his role as a Care Assistant and plans to continue volunteering at Pratt House when he is home from university.
“It’s an extremely varied job with new challenges to be faced every day. It can be difficult. The heart of the role is being there for the residents, and that is my favourite part – that personal connection with them is what I value most.
“In addition to developing professional skills, I feel I have grown a lot. I’ve learned that empathy is one of the most important things we have, something I will be taking forward into a career as a doctor and in life.
“Many people working here are at different stages of their journey. As long as you have a caring personality and put the residents at the heart of what you do, you can make a great difference in a care home, as either a volunteer or member of staff.”
Shubhan’s dedication is invaluable to everyone at Pratt House. He continues to volunteer to spend extra time with the residents outside his working hours, to further support them. His commitment has not gone unnoticed, and he was nominated by his colleagues for an Amersham Volunteer Award, which he received at a ceremony in March.
Care home manager, Joanne Wheeler, describes him “as an outstanding member of our team who continually goes above and beyond; his compassion and work ethics are truly inspirational. Despite not yet being a qualified doctor, Shubhan approaches every task with the professionalism, empathy, and drive of someone already in the role. He has a natural ability to listen, comfort, and advocate for others. Shubhan will make an amazing doctor – his passion for care and unwavering commitment has already set him apart.”
As for the future, Shubhan aspires to travel further before starting his degree.
“I’m looking into some animal conservation projects abroad. I adore wildlife and learning about different cultures; supporting organisations that have an incredible impact is very important to me. I will be sure to come back with lots of photos and stories of my travels for the residents to enjoy.”
Discover Pratt House
Pratt House in Amersham is a welcoming residential care home with 29 en-suite rooms, beautiful gardens including a summer house, and a focus on personalised support and wellbeing. Residents enjoy communal spaces, delicious meals catered to dietary needs, a varied activities schedule, and the option of respite stays, all within a secure and friendly home with 24-hour care.
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