Barbara Altounyan - founder of ‘The Hospice Biographers’
honoured by the Prime Minister The creator of a unique service for dying patients and their families - which was developed at Princess Alice Hospice - has been honoured by the Prime Minister. Barbara Altounyan is the founder of The Hospice Biographers who now work in Hospices across the UK to give the gift of memories by recording patients’ lifestories. This dedication has earned Barbara the Points Of Light award, a daily honour which recognises outstanding individual volunteers - people who are making a change in their community. After being inspired to record her father Roger talking of his memories towards the end of his life in a Hospice, Barbara resolved that more patients should have the chance to share their stories and preserve priceless memories for family and friends. Since she started the Biographers in 2017, more than 190 patient stories have been recorded and staff trained in using recording equipment in 35 hospices
8 Looklocal Magazine - March 2020
across the UK. In a personal letter to Barbara, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “I know you do this with no thought of praise or reward, but allow me to offer my own recognition of your incredible work which brings the gift of memories to families across the country.” Barbara said: “The Hospice Biographers are thrilled to receive this very worthwhile Prime Minister’s award honouring the work of volunteers. “Every life story we record on audio from our Hospice patients is a life remembered for their family and friends forever, what other family heirloom can be as valuable as the voice and memories of one whom you’ve loved and cherished.” Jon Snow, the face of Channel 4 news since 1989, has also recently pledged his support for the Hospice Biographers by becoming a Patron of the charity For more information visit www.pah.org.uk/
