A VOLUNTEER who has dedicated the past eight years to supporting people receiving end-of-life or palliative care says she feels like she is "making a difference".
Barbara Blackburn, who is part of the Palliative Care Team at Wirral University Teaching Hospital, has made such a valuable contribution to the organisation that she was awarded the Volunteer of the Year Award in the Trust’s staff awards last year.
She received the award for going above and beyond to help patients who are receiving palliative or end-of-life care. In the 75th year of the NHS Barbara explained why she offers her time to volunteer.
'I love being part of the team'
She said: "The Palliative Care Team is a lovely team to work with. They’re wonderful. I go to see patients who are at end of life or who may be palliative. Sometimes I will sit and hold their hand and chat with them.
"I support family members and take them a cup of tea and pass on any issues they may have to staff.
"It gives me a great sense of purpose and value and I love being part of the team. I’m continually developing my skills. I meet incredibly nice people who I would never have met in any other circumstances.
"I feel I’m making a difference and I’m supporting the hospital that has supported my family for years."
As part of her role, Barbara has supported many patients who are at end of life in the hospital and their loved ones by offering a listening ear, comfort and kindness.
Simple gestures such as making hot drinks for family members have provided much-needed comfort at a difficult time. Barbara has also supported recruitment and training of other Palliative Care Companions at the hospital.
Barbara has also personally handmade bereavement bags for patients’ belongings and jewellery pouches. The Bereavement Office staff at the hospital have used these to place deceased patients’ belongings inside, when returning those personal items to their families, offering a lovely, personal touch at such an emotional time.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Barbara continued to support the hospital by using her sewing skills to make bunting and cushions, which raised money for the organisation’s Heart in the Hands campaign.
As part of that campaign families were given a key ring containing a heart. The heart-shaped portion was given to the patient while the keyring itself was kept by the family, offering a link between them both.
WUTH Chief Executive Janelle Holmes said: "All our volunteers like Barbara who support us in the hospital and with our charity are a precious resource. It’s really heartening to see people giving back to their local community through volunteering.
"Our volunteers, who range from retired school teachers to medical students, are invaluable in the work they do supporting staff, visitors and patients alike."
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