Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey Kevin Hurley and his deputy Jeff Harris visited St. Peter’s Hospital last week, to see how young people are helping older patients to recover from strokes and confusion.
Police Commissioner Hurley and his deputy were accompanied by Ellie Patterson from the Surrey Youth Support Service Reparation Scheme, which works with young people that have committed an offence to involve them in projects that help the wider community. At Ashford and St. Peter’s they have designed and created specialist equipment for patients following strokes or with confusion or dementia.
The equipment helps patients to improve their coordination and, for people with confusion, to occupy them so they are at less risk of falling or becoming distressed.
Debbie Palmer, Lead Nurse for Falls Prevention, who requested the help of the young people through the reparation scheme, said: “This specialist equipment has made a real difference to some of our patients, and it is bright, well designed and therapeutic. It is lovely to see young people helping older patients in this way and we are very grateful to them. I hope our partnership will continue and will also make a difference to the young people involved.”
The group was also shown play equipment and colourful signage that has been made for the children’s wards, and special wooden memory boxes the young people have donated to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The boxes are for bereaved parents to keep precious mementos of their babies.
Police Commissioner Kevin Hurley said: “I am hugely impressed to see the care and attention the young people have given to these projects, which are clearly benefiting people at a time of particular need. The young people are learning some great new skills, while also making amends for their previous actions by giving something back to the community.”
Chairman of the Trust Aileen McLeish said: “I was delighted to welcome the Police Commissioner and his Deputy to the Trust, and I am very grateful for their support for this important partnership between the Trust and these vulnerable young people.”