End of life volunteers making a valuable difference at county hospital

Caring volunteers who provide comfort and support to patients at or nearing the end of their lives have been praised for the difference they are making, just weeks after the new service launched at Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

Since September, eight specialist Peony Volunteers have been providing bedside companionship to patients in their final days and hours, and practical and emotional support to their loved ones.

Over the last few weeks, the Peony Service – which is sponsored by the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Charity and works in partnership with national charity, The Anne Robson Trust – has enabled our Peony Volunteers to visit more than 30 patients, and provide almost 50 hours of bedside support, with hospital staff and families praising their kindness and compassion.

At the official launch of the service this week (Thursday 13 November), Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust’s Peony Volunteer Coordinator, Rachel Colthurst, said: “It’s exciting to have been given the opportunity to take on the Palliative Care Team’s vision to provide bedside company and compassion for those who find themselves in hospital in their final days, and make it a reality with the help of our caring and generous-spirited Peony Volunteers.

“Their willingness to serve with such kindness and commitment is a gift to our patients, their loved ones, and the Palliative Care Team as a whole. In just a few weeks it is clear what a huge difference the Peony End of Life Volunteers are making, and we are absolutely delighted that they are now in post.”

Avril Adams, Lead Nurse for Palliative Care, said: “We’re committed to high quality, supported, co-ordinated and individualised care for our end-of-life patients and those important to them. As part of this we have a ‘SUPPORT’ campaign in place which aims to highlight the small, practical things that can be done to support them – such as dedicated quiet spaces, changes to visiting, and access to helpful items such as toiletry bags and night lights. Our Peony volunteers are fully supporting and embodying this approach.”

Janet Neate, Volunteer Manager, said: “It has been wonderful to extend the scope of volunteering within the Trust to include the support and care of our end-of-life patients in this way. The care and compassion of our Peony Volunteers has shown again just how invaluable our volunteer roles are, and what a difference they make to the quality of care we provide as a Trust.”

Peony Volunteer, Louise Carter, said: “Through my experience, I’ve come to appreciate how small gestures can make a big difference for patients and their loved ones as they near the end of life. Since becoming a Peony Volunteer, I’ve see how offering a quiet presence, a listening ear, or reassuring family members while they take a much-needed break can bring comfort. By volunteering I hope I’ve helped make time spent in hospital a little easier and supported more positive memories for loved ones.”

The Peony End of Life Service is currently visiting patients referred by the Palliative Care Team. However, following its initial success, the aim is to extend this to include all patients, hospital-wide, who are on an end-of-life care plan, and from the new year, the Trust will begin recruiting for a second cohort of Peony Volunteers. It is also hoped that the Peony Service will be rolled out at the Alexandra Hospital, Redditch during 2026. 

An Information Day – sharing further details on becoming a Peony Volunteer – is being held on Tuesday 13 January 2026, at the Waitrose Community Room in Worcester.

To find out more about volunteering opportunities at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust visit: www.worcsacute.nhs.uk/volunteer, email: wah-tr.volunteers@nhs.net or call 01905 733159.