UHS bereavement support team, supportive and palliative care team and voluntary services are working collaboratively with the Anne Robson Trust to create a volunteer service focussed on supporting people nearing the end of their life. We are committed, like Anne Robson, to “Nobody deserves to die alone”.

Butterfly friends can offer:

Emotional support - sitting with patients, listening, holding hand, reading, being a calming presence.
Companionship to patients without visitors.
Respite to families and friends who are spending long hours in hospital with a loved one, who may need a chance to get food/drink or a shower etc.

Our specially trained team of volunteers offer this bedside companionship to patients on the ward in their final days and hours, and emotional support to the patients’ visitors. The work these volunteers do is vital in supporting people facing the end of their life and those around them. In November 2025, the butterfly friends supported approximately 100 families.

Look out for our volunteers on the wards and please talk to a member of staff if you would like a butterfly volunteer to be there for you or your family member.

Butterfly friends (bereavement and family support)