Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital has appointed Alex Watson as its first ever Memory Maker, a pioneering role designed to bring comfort, compassion and lasting memories to patients nearing the end of life and the relatives preparing to say goodbye.

Working across adult inpatient wards, Ms Watson will lead and co-ordinate a team of specially trained volunteers who will support families through those final moments by helping them create treasured mementos.

NNUH (Image: Supplied)

These will include memory boxes, hand casts, fingerprint trees, personalised letters and recorded stories capturing voices that families can keep forever.

Hospital leaders say the post is believed to be one of the first of its kind in an acute hospital setting, where end-of-life support has traditionally focused on medical care rather than memory making.

The role has been funded for an initial 18 months by the N&N Hospitals Charity as part of a drive to transform end-of-life care for Norfolk families.

For many relatives, a hospital death can come with shock, fear and little time to prepare. Staff hope the new service will help create moments of calm, dignity and connection amid the distress.

Ms Watson, 50, who joined the trust in December, said her journey into end-of-life support began through caring for members of her own family.

She said: “My work in this field began through personal experience, caring for family members at the end of their lives.

“After a diverse and fulfilling career across Europe, I sought a new direction and discovered the role of a Soul Midwife and End-of-Life Doula.

As Norfolk's first ' memory maker' she is dedicated to delivering gentle end of life care (Image: Supplied)

Mood lighting and soft furnishings to create a home from home feel for terminal patients (Image: Supplied)

“Bringing this experience and training to my work at the NNUH is incredibly rewarding. It allows me to help patients and their families live their lives as fully and richly as possible, creating meaningful memories, keepsakes and........

© Norwich Evening News