SPECIALLY-TRAINED dementia volunteers from the trust which runs Basingstoke hospital were treated to a relaxing shoulder massage as a thank you for the work they do.

Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Basingstoke, Winchester and Andover hospitals, works with the Royal Voluntary Service to provide volunteers who offer support to people with dementia.

The work of the volunteers includes enjoying tea and cake whilst reminiscing, involving patients with activities and working with patients and their families to signpost them to the right services and support that is available.

The contribution the volunteers make was celebrated.

Retired district nurse Catherine Affleck has been a dementia volunteer at Basingstoke hospital for a year.

She said: “I love being on the wards talking to patients. Sometimes it can be difficult to engage with patients but other days I leave feeling elated because I’ve had some really great conversations and I feel like I’ve made a difference to someone’s day.

“Our service isn’t exclusively for patients with dementia. We’ll sit and chat to anyone but we are trained to help dementia patients talk about times that they remember – often from when they were younger.”

The trust has also started using pop-up reminiscence pods for the dementia volunteers to use during their weekly visits to the hospitals.

The pods, called RemPods, which were featured on the BBC’s Dragon’s Den, recreate familiar scenes from the past such as a 1950s living room, cinema or pub, and can make patients feel more relaxed and at home as they tap into memories from their past.

Along with the celebration for the dementia volunteers, a further 200 volunteers at each of the hospitals, who range in age from 18 to 80, were given a welldeserved break from their duties by enjoying a tea party.

Jane Davies, volunteer manager, said: “We have wonderful support from a very loyal and dedicated group of people who donate their time to helping us care for patients. Their support is appreciated by everyone who comes into contact with them.”

To become a volunteer at the hospital trust, call 01256 376557 or 01962 825446, or email volunteers@ hhft.nhs.uk.