THE Forever Friends Appeal has been awarded close to £80,000 from The Sperring Trust to fund an innovative three-year pilot project designed to support end-of-life care at the Royal United Hospital in Bath.

The Compassionate Companions Project will provide companionship support to patients, ensuring no-one spends their final days alone and in an unfamiliar environment.

It will be delivered in partnership with RUH’s palliative care team and Dorothy House Hospice Care.

Edward Hassall, of the The Forever Friends Appeal, said: “Thanks to this grant patients nearing their final days will have a companion with them, which we hope will help make a real difference to them and their families.”

The money will enable Dorothy House Hospice Care to employ a companion support worker to co-ordinate volunteers at the RUH.

These volunteers will provide compassionate companionship to patients during their last days or hours of life on the hospital wards, so also helping families by relieving the worry that relatives will be left alone.

Helen Meehan, lead palliative and end-of-life care nurse, said: “We are so grateful to The Sperring Trust for choosing to support this much needed companionship service for our patients.

“This means that thousands of hours of volunteer time will be given to patients on our wards, seven days a week.

“Caring for people nearing the end of life is one of the most important things we do in hospital as well as being able give respite support to patients’ families during what is an emotionally and physically exhausting time.

“Often the last sense patients lose during end-of-life care is their hearing. Being able to provide a compassionate companion to read to them, provide comforting words or hold their hand is very much the support these patients need at this time.”

The Sperring Trust was set up from the generous legacy of Ralph Sperring.

Michelle Jorden, administrator of the Midsomer Norton-based trust, said: “The trustees are very happy to support such a worthy project. Ralph left his estate in trust to benefit the local community and we are delighted to help make his wishes possible as this project will have a big impact on so many people. We look forward to working with The Forever Friends Appeal.”