Special messages for special moments

Northampton General Hospital has launched a new volunteer-led service that allows families and friends to send personalised messages to patients online – which are then delivered in person on a greeting card by hospital volunteers.

The initiative, designed to support patients who may feel lonely or anxious, enables messages of many kinds to be composed online and delivered for free directly to the patient’s ward on a card which they can choose.

Messages can mark a birthday, anniversary, faith or cultural celebration, or simply say “thinking of you”.

The Deputy Head of Volunteer Services at the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire, Michelle Barnes, said: “This is an initiative we launched at Kettering General Hospital in November last year and now we are expanding it to Northampton General Hospital with the support of our amazing NGH volunteers.

“We know that being in hospital can be a very worrying and anxious time for our patients and this is a little gesture which can help brighten up someone’s day.

“We recognise that not all family members and friends are able to visit in person. To help bridge that gap, we are offering the opportunity for family and friends to maintain meaningful connections, providing comfort and reassurance when it matters most - especially when a patient is in hospital during a special occasion.

“Sending a message to someone you care about in hospital is simple and thoughtful thing to do.”

Chris Richardson, 74, has spent several weeks in hospital after suffering two strokes. She said: “Receiving a card and knowing someone is thinking about you is really quite nice. It shows someone cares. For someone in hospital, that can really lift their spirits.”

Simon Harris, 49, is a regular visitor to Northampton General Hospital after a relative suffered a stroke in January. He said: “We have family all around the world, including New Zealand and Florida. This new initiative means it is now quick and easy for them to send a card without the hassle of paying for postage and finding the right postal address.

“My family has received such lovely care during their time in hospital and the opportunity to send cards is yet another thoughtful way that patients are made to feel as comfortable as possible during their stay.”

NGH’s Director of Nursing Jo Smith said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for our patients to receive timely and meaningful communication from their friends and family whilst in the hospital setting. It will have a significant positive impact on the patient’s experience. We are extremely grateful to our UHN Volunteer service for their support to implement this initiative.”

This is a volunteer-led patient initiative, offered at no cost to families or loved ones, made possible by the dedication of our volunteers and the generous support of Northamptonshire Health Charity www.nhcharity.co.uk which funds this initiative.

Northamptonshire Health Charity Chief Executive Jonathan McGee said: “We are delighted to be able to support another volunteer-led patient initiative which will make such a difference to patients, their families, and friends.” To send a message to a patient you need to visit the Special messages for special patient moments website page and then choose a card from a range of blank ones which we provide and complete the online form. 

Once your order is received, our Volunteer Services team will prepare and volunteers will deliver the card directly to the patient’s ward. Messages submitted during working hours (Monday to Friday, 8am–3pm, excluding Bank Holidays) will be delivered the same day; messages received outside these hours will be delivered the next working day.