Jenny Summerson, the longest-serving ‘cuddle carer’ at Mater Mothers’ Hospital, has comforted over 1,000 of Queensland’s smallest babies in the past 32 years. Since 1992, she has volunteered almost every Monday at the hospital’s special care nursery, making her the unit’s most dedicated volunteer.
She recalls responding to a newspaper ad seeking “100 helping hands” and choosing the special care nursery without hesitation. Jenny values the trust nurses and parents place in her during moments when babies need soothing and care, often stepping in to cuddle or feed distressed infants when nurses are busy.
Reflecting on her two-decade milestone, Jenny was surprised to be recognized with flowers, realizing later that she had become the hospital’s longest-serving volunteer. She finds joy in her role, praising the nursing staff and cherishing the opportunity to assist families during their stay.
Jenny takes pride in helping babies transition home from the special care nursery, often lending a hand with various tasks around the unit. She emphasizes the importance of volunteers like herself in providing comfort to babies when their parents cannot be present.
Dr. Pita Birch, Mater Mothers’ Hospital director of neonatology, emphasizes the therapeutic benefits of skin-to-skin contact or cuddling for babies’ wellbeing. He acknowledges the vital role volunteers play in offering comfort to babies in the absence of their parents.
Recently, Jenny assisted Emily Donaghey with her premature twins in the special care nursery, providing reassurance and support when Emily and her husband couldn’t be there. Emily expresses gratitude for the tips and care provided by volunteers and nurses alike.
When asked about retiring from her role as a ‘cuddle carer’, Jenny Summerson firmly states she’s not ready to stop anytime soon, citing the difficulty in giving up something she finds so fulfilling.
