A Quite Comfort At The End of Life

When someone is nearing the end of their life, having another person there, a steady presence, a gentle hand, someone simply just sitting next to them, can bring immeasurable comfort.

That’s what the Friend in Need volunteers at University Hospitals Sussex offer. Time, compassion, and companionship in moments that can otherwise feel unbearably lonely.

A few weeks ago, we were invited to attend the official launch event for the Friend in Need service at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Trust. Lynn and Isabella from our team were proud to be there to mark this important moment and to hear first-hand how the volunteers are already making a difference. They had some great conversations about the success and potential expansion of the service with Philippa Slinger, the Chair for the Trust and Terece Walters the Hospital Nurse Director.

We were also moved to read this beautiful article, published shortly after the launch which highlights the powerful role these volunteers are playing at the Brighton Hospital.

It’s been a privilege to support the early stages of this service – helping to shape the foundations and offer training as it began. But the real story here is about the volunteers who show up, the hospital staff who make it possible, and the people receiving care who are no longer alone in their final hours.

This is what we believe in. Ordinary people making an extraordinary difference, just by being there.

We hope you’ll take a moment to read the full article and feel as heartened as we did.