Michelle Dale

Tell us a bit about your background and what you like to do in your free time.

My name is Michelle, I am 56 and I live in a small village in North Yorkshire. I enjoy dedicating my free time to helping out in the local community and I have done so through several projects, including the FareShare scheme and Community First Response.

The idea for FareShare came about when it was seen how the ‘reduced to clear’ food in supermarkets was simply binned at the end of the night. Now, along with some of my friends, I collect this food and make food parcels, which are delivered to families and people in the local community who need them. With the Community First Response team, I was a volunteer and would help out with the local ambulance service. Our nearest ambulance station is 16 miles away and it is understood that the first few minutes of cardiac arrest are the most crucial in terms of outcomes. I was involved with this for a number of years.

Unfortunately, I had to step back from this role when I caught Covid-19 in March 2020 and was hospitalised. At the start of the pandemic, I was working in a day centre for older people within an assisted living apartment building. Sadly, the staff were not prepared for what was to come and we were not provided with the correct PPE (personal protective equipment). As a result, I spent several weeks in the Intensive Care Unit and High Dependency Unit. This time was especially hard on me and my family but my determination, stubbornness and strong will gave me the energy to fight the virus.

I have suffered several complications due to Covid and still suffer from side effects to this day. Thankfully, I have a more positive outlook on life now due to my experience.

How did you first get involved in the Fuse public partner network?

I first became involved with Fuse when my friend recommended me for one of the public partner research groups. Since the first group, my interest was piqued and I have found that I have enjoyed sharing my experiences with everyone and seeing how my experiences can encourage other people and hopefully improve research outcomes in the future.

What areas of public health research are you particularly interested in?

I am interested in the Covid side of research as well as care of older people and how this can be improved.

Why is having your voice heard in public health research important to you?

Given the experiences I have faced throughout my life, having my voice heard gives me hope that something I have faced can help someone in the future to overcome an illness or give them hope that anything is possible.

What one piece of advice would you share with someone curious about public involvement and engagement?

Go for it! Speaking to a few people can help one or two people but speaking to a wider group, it means hundreds if not thousands will hear your experiences and you might just help more people than you realise.

Last modified: Fri, 20 Dec 2024 11:31:28 GMT