Recently appointed Executive Director for Children and Families Service at Surrey County Council (SCC), Dave Hill, visited Ashford and St Peter’s Trust and spent time on the St Peters site to learn first-hand about the Trust’s partnership with SCC Family Services community projects; 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 Dave Hill was Ellie Paterson MBE, Community Skills Relationship Manager, who organises 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.
Dave Hill commented on his visit: “I was inspired during my visit to the hospital, both in terms of the outstanding services I saw there and with the partnership arrangements between the hospital and Surrey County Council. Young people are making reparation and giving something back. I look forward to working closely together in the future.”
Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals Chief Executive, Suzanne Rankin, added: “I was delighted to welcome Dave and Ellie to St Peter’s. This is an excellent example of our collaborative working with partners in health and social care to provide high quality, sustainable NHS services to the communities we serve. We are delighted that these young people are able to make some amends and at the same time help patients and bereaved parents.”
Pictured top: Executive Director for Children and Families Service at Surrey County Council, Dave Hill.
Pictured above: From left to right: ASPH NICU Matron, Sara Robertson; ASPH Chairman, Andy Field; SCC Executive Director for Children and Families Service, Dave Hill; ASPH Family Support Coordinator, Jeanette Willard; SCC Community Skills Relationship Manager, Ellie Paterson MBE; ASPH Student Nurse, Withya and ASPH Chief Executive, Susanne Rankin.
