Social Work is an integral service within King's, operating in various areas of the hospital such as Intensive Care, Palliative Care, and Neuro-rehabilitation.
During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, David and his team were concerned about the vulnerabilities facing friends and families who were unable to visit their loved ones in hospital, be with them when they died or observe traditional rituals around their death.
"The COVID-19 pandemic had a huge impact upon the work of our team," says David.
"During this time, the number of people requiring additional bereavement support became much higher."
David worked closely with King's College Hospital Charity to respond to this growing need and in conjuction with St Christopher's Hospice, the King's College Hospital Charity Bereavement Service was created.
The Bereavement Service was funded by the Charity through the Hospital Heroes Appeal, including grants received from NHS Charities Together. These generous donations enabled a tailored counselling service, focused on meeting each individual’s needs.
The Service was a huge success with one recipient calling it 'life changing'.
Now, David has decided to fundraise for King's College Hospital Charity by taking part in a cycling challenge.
In summer, he will cycle all the way from King's College Hospital to Amsterdam, approximately four hundred miles in four days.
"I am raising money for our fantastic hospital Charity to support the work of our hospital Social Workers," says David.
Go the distance for King's College Hospital Charity
Sign up for our Kilometres for King's challenge to walk, run, swim, cycle, hop skip or jump in support of our hospitals. With no set rules and your own virtual finish line, the options are endless.
Your kilometres will make a real difference to patients at King’s, their families, and the staff who look after them.