Volunteers needed to support terminally ill patients and families at Warwick Hospital

The Volunteer Companions Project at Warwick Hospital, led by end of life charity Marie Curie and supported by Warwickshire County Council (WCC) and South Warwickshire Foundation Trust (SWFT), is marking nearly a year of delivering essential support to patients nearing the end of their lives.

Patients in hospitals can often feel very lonely, especially when family and friends are unable to visit regularly due to work commitments, personal health issues, or long travel distances.

Volunteer Companions offer companionship and emotional support to patients, as well as providing respite for family members, friends, and carers.

The project is led by Denise Nally, a volunteer coordinator from Marie Curie, with Volunteer Companions trained and supported to offer emotional assistance, reduce social isolation, and signpost families towards additional supportive services.

The aim is to ensure that patients and their loved ones are never left feeling alone during such a challenging time.

A recent evaluation of the service conducted by Marie Curie highlighted the impact the service had on patients, their families, and carers but also highlighted the support to ward staff.

A SWFT ward staff member said: "It was comforting to know that the patient wasn't on their own when they were feeling scared."

The evaluation also highlighted the positive impact supporting the service had on the volunteer. "Even when the patient has been unresponsive, I hope that my presence at their bedside was a reassurance, and I know that it was a comfort to relatives. With family, friends, and carers, I have provided information and allowed them to express their fears and concerns."

Cllr Margaret Bell, WCC’s portfolio holder for social care and health, said: “I would urge people to get involved in the Volunteer Companions Project.

"Volunteers spend time with patients and their relatives to provide a listening ear, and simply to be there for people at a very difficult time.

"Volunteering with this project will make a huge difference for these patients and their families.”

A spokesperson from SWFT added: “We would urge anyone who has a compassionate and sensitive nature with the confidence to communicate effectively with staff, patients and visitors, to consider becoming a Volunteer Companion at Warwick Hospital if you have some time to spare.”

The volunteering role

For anyone interested in volunteering, the role includes:

• Spending time with patients who have been identified as nearing the end of their life and providing support for them and their loved ones.
• Sitting with a patient when their loved ones need a break.
• Liaising with hospital staff and keeping the volunteer coordinator updated with any significant updates with the patient.
• Writing and submitting a brief report after each patient or family you support.
• Explaining clearly the Companions Volunteer role and making sure that families are aware of the services provided by the hospital to families of dying patients.
• Covering a regular three hour weekly shift.

As of July, the project has grown to include seven volunteers, with ongoing recruitment and training efforts to expand the team. Volunteers now work five days a week, Monday to Friday.

Patients benefit from emotional support and companionship, while families and carers gain respite and access to additional services, including the Marie Curie Support Line and other resources.

Denise Nally, Marie Curie volunteer coordinator, said: “It’s an honour to work with our amazing volunteers of our service who generously give their time to provide companionship and support to patients and families when they need it most.”

“They listen, give emotional support and signpost to Marie Curie information and support resources.

“We are looking forward to continuing to support SWFT patients, families, carers and ward staff as the service approaches its second year of making a difference to those facing the end of life.”

For more information on the project contact: [email protected]