Our Daisy Volunteer project, run in partnership with Marie Curie, was recognised in the Patient Experience Network National Awards (PENNA) on Wednesday 28 September, winning in the Personalisation of Care category.

Having been finalists in four categories overall, including Partnership Work to Improve Experience and Strengthening the Foundation, our volunteers were also runner-up in the Support for Caregivers, Family and Friends category.

Daisy volunteers play a vital role in supporting patients at the end of their lives who in many cases would otherwise be alone as they have no one able to visit them. They also provide the opportunity for relatives of end-of-life patients to take a break, knowing someone is with their loved ones. Marie Curie helps fund and support their training.

Since launching in 2021, Daisy volunteers have helped more than 300 patients, receiving lots of praise from grateful relatives.

Grace Allick, from our Chaplaincy team which oversees the service, said: “I’m so proud of the great work our volunteers are doing. The Daisy project is making a huge difference to our imminently dying patients, as well as their relatives and carers.

“To win an award, as well as coming runner-up and being finalists in four categories, demonstrates the hard work and commitment our volunteers put into this wonderful project. Well done to everyone involved.”

Debbie Ripley, Marie Curie Associate Director of Strategic Partnerships and Services, London, added:

“We’re absolutely thrilled the Daisy Project won the Patient Experience award for Personalisation of Care and came second in the Strengthening the Foundation category.

“Volunteers are a listening ear, a helping hand, and a comforting presence at a difficult time to many people at Queen’s and King George hospitals and it’s wonderful to see their hard work and dedication recognised by winning this award and being shortlisted in four categories.

“It highlights the value of support for people receiving palliative care, as it’s not only clinical care that can enrich peoples’ experience at the end of their lives, but also companionship.”

The PENN Awards recognise best practice in patient experience across health and social care in the UK.

Geraldine Pote, who became a Daisy volunteer in June 2021 after retiring, explained a little more about the role, and what it means to her:

“It’s a privilege to be involved with patients at the end of their lives. In some cases, they may be unconscious, but it’s important they have someone with them, and can hear a voice, so we read or talk to them.

“In some cases, patients may be isolated with no one able to visit, and relatives can be isolated too. We try to help provide some light relief and are also someone they can talk to about their loved one. We often find they’re keen to open up and share more about their lives.

“One of my best days was when a patient was able to go home to die as they wished. Their relatives thanked me for helping to distract them at such a difficult time. My advice to anyone with a loved one who is dying, as you can’t be by their side all the time, is make sure you have said what you need to say.”

Geraldine is picture above (centre), with fellow Daisy volunteers Janne Cassidy (left) and Alison Gray.

If you’d like to find out more about becoming a Daisy volunteer, contact bhrut.chaplaincy@nhs.net.

Pictured top is (l-r) Grace Allick, chaplain, Shirley Black, Head of Patient Experience and Feedback, Marie Curie, Janne Cassidy and Sofia Bhatti, both Daisy volunteers.