Portsmouth nurse helps health project in Asia

File photo dated 05/12/08 of the hands of a resident at a nursing home as there has been a steep rise in the number of applications to deprive old people of their freedom through the use of restraints, medication or stopping them seeing friends and family. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Thursday January 16, 2014. A report from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) found a "sharp increase" in the number of applications from organisations such as care homes to deprive people aged 75 and over of their freedom. For those aged 75 to 84, there was an 81% jump in the number of Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) applications made between 2009/10 and 2012/13, from 71.2 per 100,000 to 128.6 Among those aged 85 and over, the figure jumped 69%, from 156.6 per 100,000 to 265.3. See PA story HEALTH Deprivation. Photo credit should read: John Stillwell/PA Wire ENGEMN00120140116151918

Jennifer Taylor recently embarked on a four-month trip to Cambodia, to volunteer with a charity called Projects Abroad.

She first visited the project in 2016 on October 24 and set up a justgiving page for people to support her in covering the costs of the expedition.

Jennifer said: ‘We have raised £915 out of £7,000 to help work on a public health project in Phnom Penh. Crowdfunding is a great way to raise money for a personal cause.

‘I will be working with a local nurse helping to give holistic care to the local population in general health and hygiene matters. This will include the young people who have very few role models to guide them through their formative years.’

Cambodia is still recovering from an act of genocide more than 40 years ago which has left the country with a lack of skilled workers.

Projects Abroad was set up to send volunteers of middle age and older to countries around the world to offer their skills and advice to those living there.

The projects are a great way to give those in the latter stages of their careers a new opportunity to give something back.

The volunteers can help fill the gap of the missing generation.

Jennifer added: ‘As a semi-retired nurse I feel I have the expertise and experience to pass on to those who have not had the privileges I have enjoyed throughout my life and career.

‘Apart from my nursing and midwifery experience I have also trained as a listener with Acorn Christian Healing Foundation. This training, along with counselling skills in bereavement, will be invaluable in assisting with the ongoing work Projects Abroad is engaged in.’

As well as her ongoing charity work, Jennifer has worked as a street pastor in Southampton for more than six years. Her work with the homeless ha prepared her for the challenges of Cambodia.

For more information, visit: justgiving.com/crowdfunding/jennifer-taylor-2