Finding Fred’s family – how a Dorothy House volunteer companion brought a family together

Kieran Bright, our Community Engagement and Volunteer Coordinator, shares a touching story about a Dorothy House Hospice Care patient and his volunteer companion that happened recently, highlighting the power of human connection and the ripple effects of kindness.

Kieran tells Fred and Graham’s story

It all began when I matched Graham, a volunteer companion, with one of our patients, Fred, a music enthusiast who used to ‘jam’ with bands as a talented guitar player.

Graham – Dorothy House volunteer companion

Graham, an aspiring guitarist himself, instantly found common ground with Fred. They met numerous times, with Fred residing in the heart of Bath, where he was known for his eccentricity, particularly his large fish on wheels. Yes, you read that correctly – a fish on wheels!

As their friendship developed, Fred confided in Graham during a visit when he was gravely unwell. He expressed a deep longing to reconnect with his estranged siblings, whom he hadn’t been in touch with for decades. Touched by Fred’s request, Graham reached out to me.

Finding Fred’s family

Despite initial setbacks trying to find leads through genealogy groups, a compassionate member of the Bath Library’s genealogy group stepped up to the challenge. Through diligent efforts and effective communication between Graham and Fred, the impossible became possible. In less than two weeks, Fred’s long-lost siblings were located, and their contact information was shared.

Graham played a pivotal role in orchestrating the emotional reunion between Fred and his sister, providing unwavering support and comfort to them both. Sadly, Fred passed away shortly after these heart-warming visits.

Fred’s legacy

In a gesture of gratitude, Fred’s sister generously offered various items from Fred’s estate. With Fred’s legacy in mind, Dorothy House Retail gladly accepted his books, paintings, and cameras, while We Get It was offered his art materials, including a sewing machine. Mind gratefully received his clothing, and the British Heart Foundation accepted his electrical items, such as a kettle, air conditioning unit, and DIY resources.

I sent all of Fred’s diaries to the Bishopsgate Institute’s Diary Project. Fred travelled a great deal in his younger days, keeping detailed diaries about his adventures. His personal accounts of his travels will be scanned and uploaded for future generations to read.

Fred’s sister expressed her gratitude to Graham for his unwavering support to both Fred and the family. She gifted him a book of songs that Fred and Graham had enjoyed playing from together. Graham, touched by the gesture, remarked, “It serves as a constant reminder of Fred.”

Fred’s passion for language, travel and music brought joy to those around him and his story serves as a testament to the enduring impact of compassion and connection.

If you would like to become a Dorothy House volunteer companion, click here to find out how you could make a difference to someone looking for a friend.