About Sheffield Open Heart Club
The Sheffield Open Heart Club (SHOC) was started in 1984 by patients, relatives and staff at the Northern General Hospital. SHOC has a team of volunteers, all of whom have undergone cardiac surgery themselves, and who are therefore in a good position to speak about things from a patient and relative’s point of view both before and after surgery.
SHOC provides specialised equipment and items for the comfort and benefit of cardiac patients on the Chesterman Wing at the Northern General Hospital through fundraising and the donations it receives.
SHOC volunteers visit patients on the Chesterman Wing prior to heart surgery to share their experience and answer questions about their surgery and recovery helping to allay patient’s fears.
Volunteers attend pre-surgery information sessions for patients at the hospital as well as visit the wards. They respond to patient/relatives’ questions about ‘what it was like for them’.
SHOC volunteers receive regular support and guidance from professional staff working within the Chesterman Wing and also as a Partnership Organisation to the Hospital Trust Volunteer Service.
SHOC is a registered charity and affiliated to the British Heart Foundation
www.shocweb.org.uk
rodney.godber@btinternet.com
Sheffield Open Heart Club Registered charity number 518812
