Butterfly Volunteers
Offering Compassionate Companionship for End-of-Life Patients
​ At Chelsea & Westminster and West Middlesex hospitals, 26 compassionate 'Butterfly Volunteers' sit with patients, hold their hands, listen to their stories, and offer solace to families during life’s most heartbreaking moments. These volunteers ensure that no one spends their final hours in isolation, bringing warmth and comfort to those who need it most.
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Since the programme began, the Butterfly Volunteers have supported over 530 patients through more than 2,300 visits. These volunteers are there seven days a week, providing calm and caring companionship to those nearing the end of life. The gratitude from patients and their families speaks volumes about the emotional support and love these volunteers bring.
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"Without the Butterfly Volunteers, my stay would have felt unbearably lonely. Their presence made me feel seen, valued, and less afraid", shared one patient.
How the Friends Support this Essential Work
The Friends of Chelsea & Westminster are deeply committed to sustaining this life-changing service by funding two crucial areas:
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Butterfly Volunteer Manager
The Friends fund the salary of the Butterfly Volunteer Manager, who carefully recruits, trains, and guides the team of volunteers. This role ensures that the program not only runs smoothly but is also able to meet the growing need for volunteer visits during the most vulnerable times of life.
Butterfly Rooms
The Friends also provide grants to create and furnish Butterfly Rooms—serene, private spaces where patients and their loved ones can share final moments in peace and dignity. These rooms offer a sanctuary, where families can come together in an environment that feels more like home. So far, 13 Butterfly Rooms have been lovingly completed, with more in progress to bring comfort to even more families.​
A Growing Need for This Compassionate Care
As the need for this remarkable service grows, the Friends are determined to expand both the team of volunteers and the number of Butterfly Rooms. There is a waiting list of caring individuals eager to become Butterfly Volunteers, and we urgently need more rooms to meet the increasing demand from patients and their families.
The Power of Compassionate Care
"When I first arrived, the patient was quiet and worried. Slowly, he began to open up, sharing the highs and lows of his life. By the time I left, he seemed more at ease. It’s an honor to be there for people in such vulnerable moments,"
- Maggie, Butterfly Volunteer
"The Butterfly Volunteers bring a kind of comfort and companionship that transcends medical care. They offer presence, warmth, and human connection when patients and families need it most. Their impact is immeasurable."
- Dr. Louise Robinson,
Consultant in Palliative Medicine
How You Can Help
Your support can ensure that no one faces the end of life alone.
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By donating, you help sustain and expand this vital service. Your contribution allows us to recruit more volunteers, furnish additional Butterfly Rooms, and bring comfort to those in their final days.
Please, consider making a donation today - no gift is too small to make a difference.
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Together, we can continue to bring love, dignity, and connection to patients and families when they need it most.
