One of my Brother Porters has sent me a recent photograph of
a Porters Awareness Day sticker, see above, and it made my day, I can tell you! The John Radcliffe's Porters Awareness Day
was a public relations event organized by hospital management that I was
involved with. It took place about ten years ago and it's the only time ever
that I'm aware of that the hospital management itself has done anything
proactive to raise the profile of Portering. We set up a stall on the main public
corridor of the hospital and handed out leaflets and stickers to passers-by. We
spoke to them about who we are and what we do. The newspapers got involved too.
It was a wonderful feeling and I don't think we've ever felt so appreciated. I
wished afterwards that I'd kept some of the literature and stickers. For a few
weeks after the event they were seen everywhere, on windows, lift sidewalls and
inside toilet cubicle doors etc. However, slowly but surely they were cleaned
up or perished, as stickers do. I assumed none of them could possibly be left
after all this time. Then I got sent the above photo. That brave little sticker
is still there! Standing proud for all to see! The photo is a bit indistinct,
but the words say: "We're the Heartbeat of the Hospital- Smile at a Porter
today!" I'd rather not tell you where it is exactly because
there sadly are some malicious vandals around who don't think Porters should be
allowed to feel proud. It makes me
feel so good to see this and I hope it does you too.
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