DEMENTIA patients are benefitting from an innovative ‘buddy’ programme delivered by University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust - thanks to the generosity of The Royal Voluntary Service (RVS) which raised £127,000 to support the programme.

Volunteers are trained to help in-patients with activities which will help them to trigger happy memories as well as provide companionship and read to them.

Recruitment and training is underway for the dementia support volunteers at Furness General Hospital and The Royal Lancaster Infirmary - overseen by two part-time managers, whose roles will be paid for out of the donation.

The donation has also supported the design and development of a memory wall which was officially opened within the outpatients department at Westmorland General Hospital, Kendal.

The display includes photos of scenes around the Lake District from the 1940s to 1970s, which were donated by Abbot Hall Museum, Kendal. A plasma touch screen is also in place which will play music and offer games.

The money was raised via the RVS shops, ward trolley service and cafés across all of the hospitals’ five main sites.

Anyone interested in these volunteer positions should email: louisa.balderson@royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk