On Tuesday 25th June the High Sheriff of Surrey, Mr Jim Glover, paid a special visit to St Peter's Hospital in Surrey to learn more about the Trust's partnership with Surrey County Council's Family Services; particularly the carpentry projects undertaken by young people referred to Surrey Family Services, to make items for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and stroke rehabilitation service.
Accompanying Mr Glover was Ellie Paterson MBE, Community Skills Relationship Manager and Ian McDougall, Youth Support Officer, who help with teaching young people new skills through community projects. They have been supporting Ashford and St Peter's Hospitals for many years, generously donating hand crafted items to help patients and their families.
In NICU, they provide special wooden memory boxes for families who sadly lose a baby - a place to keep treasured keepsakes and memories. Whilst for our stroke rehabilitation patients they make a range of equipment to help with recovery and regaining motor skills.
Ashford and St Peter's Hospitals Chairman, Andy Field, said: "It was lovely to welcome Jim and Ellie to St Peter's and I know they both really enjoyed taking a tour around NICU, meeting members of the team and seeing the equipment kindly donated. I would like to thank Ellie, Ian and Surrey County Council's Family Services for their ongoing support and it's wonderful to work in partnership. Our patients and their families gain the benefit of high quality, useful equipment and I know the young people involved gain much from this restorative justice initiative."
Picture above from left to right: Sarah Dodds, Occupational Therapist; Ellie Paterson, Community Skills Relationship Manager; Jim Glover, High Sheriff of Surrey; Louise Martin, NICU Sister; Andy Field, Chairman; Jo Willard, NICU Family Support Co-ordinator; Revd. Virginia Smith, chaplaincy team; Ian Mc Dougall, Youth Support Officer and Dr Tina Leontiadi, NICU Consultant
