Butterfly Volunteers service going from strength to strength
The Butterfly Volunteers service, which supports patients as they approach the end of their life, has recently strengthened its offering thanks to more volunteers who are helping wards, including Critical Care.
Caroline Stevens, Butterfly Volunteers Co-ordinator, has recruited more volunteers, and by the end of the month there will be 32, from a wide range of backgrounds both clinical and non-clinical, to support patients and their families.
The team has also been shortlisted, alongside the Anne Robson Trust, for the Nursing Times “Managing Long Term Conditions” award.
This year to date the Butterflies Volunteers have supported patients and families in different ways:
- 873 visits (249 first visits and 624 return visits)
- 439 hours by the bedside
- 449 visitors supported.
“I wanted to thank the Butterfly Volunteers on behalf of my dad and myself for the kindness they showed us both last week in my dad’s final few days,” said a relative of one of our patients.
“Your words of comfort, allowing me time to take a breather and the useful pack were so gratefully received, and I can’t speak highly enough of the service you offer.”