Volunteers needed to support Sunderland hospital patients during their final days
Marie Curie is appealing for volunteers to support patients nearing the end of life at Sunderland Royal Hospital as part of a new partnership with South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust.
The UK’s leading end-of-life charity has launched a new Hospital Companion service, with trained volunteers who offer comfort, companionship and practical support to patients living with a terminal illness.
The Marie Curie Hospital Companions spend time with patients in their final days, providing conversation, emotional support and reassurance. Volunteers also help families by sitting with loved ones when relatives need to take a break or cannot be there.
The service also connects patients and families with bereavement and end-of-life support services.
Marie Curie is now recruiting volunteers from Sunderland and the surrounding area. Volunteers need to give up around three hours a week and will receive full training and ongoing support.
Claudia Hepworth, Volunteer Service Officer at Marie Curie, said: “Approaching the end of life can be frightening and overwhelming for both patients and their families.
“Our Hospital Companion volunteers provide comfort at an incredibly difficult time – whether that’s through conversation, emotional support or simply holding someone’s hand.
“It can also be a huge reassurance for families who cannot always be at the bedside.
“If you can spare a few hours a week and want to make a real difference to people facing the toughest of times, we’d love to hear from you.”
Joanne White, lead nurse for Patient Experience at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Working with Marie Curie helps ensure patients receive compassionate and dignified support at the end of life.
“We are incredibly grateful to the volunteers whose kindness and presence bring comfort and reassurance when it is needed most.”
Marie Curie supports people living with terminal illnesses including dementia, heart, liver, kidney and lung disease, motor neurone disease, Parkinson’s and advanced cancer.
To find out more about becoming a Marie Curie Hospital Companion volunteer, visit the Marie Curie volunteering page or email [email protected].