Our first Butterfly Volunteers have taken flight. Following training earlier this week, we’re pleased to announce that the volunteers are now starting to visit patients – with Rebecca Kennedy the first to go out to the wards.
Butterfly Volunteers provide compassionate companionship for patients as they approach the end of their lives. They can provide support through being a regular visitor for those who may not have close family or friends, or by giving family members the opportunity to have a break.
The James Paget have worked closely with the Anne Robson Trust, who are the only charity in the UK doing this work, to recruit and train the first volunteers for our hospital.
Rebecca, pictured here with Butterfly Co-ordinator John Gilligan, is already an experienced volunteer with us as she also serves as a Dementia Befriender and will continue this role as well as being a Butterfly.
More volunteers will formally start in the Butterfly role on Monday.