Volunteer recognised with British Empire Medal in New Year’s Honours list A dedicated volunteer who has supported patients to have precious video calls with their loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic has been recognised with a British Empire Medal in the New Year's Honours list. Joanne Busson, one of the original members of the virtual visiting team at PAHT, has been recognised for services to the community in Harlow. She has previously volunteered in a variety of roles at the hospital, including as a Butterfly Volunteer through PAHT partner charity, the Anne Robson Trust. Butterfly Volunteers offer a comforting happen and all worthy of such presence, supporting the holistic recognition. care of patients as they near the end of their lives. I take great pride in being At the start of the COVID-19 a PAHT/Anne Robson Trust pandemic, Joanne joined the Butterfly Volunteer alongside an virtual visiting team, facilitating incredibly special team. video calls and delivering messages to patients from their In addition to volunteering relatives and friends via the at PAHT, Joanne heads the Message to a Loved One service. Alternative Education Provision Joanne said: at Passmores Academy in Harlow and she also runs the homeless I feel incredibly honoured provision, the Harlow Chocolate to have been awarded such a Run. special and prestigious award. Phillipa Haslehurst, voluntary services manager at PAHT added: Through my various volunteering roles, I have met and volunteered with numerous Five days a week Joanne teams of like-minded, can-do volunteered, delivering the staff, trustees and volunteers Messages to a Loved One and who tirelessly give their time and also managing the virtual visits energy to making positive change made every day. Her compassion
and care is second to none and she is completely selfless. Without her contribution, the services would not have been as successful as they are today and her kindness is genuinely embedded and instrumental in their provision. Jo continues to give her time and support to our patients at PAHT, as well as the local community. Jo is an incredible lady, who we are honoured to know as a PAHT/Anne Robson Trust/Butterfly/COVID-19 volunteer.
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