Pride of Guernsey: Jayne White

THANKS TO her inspirational, charitable and hard work, Jayne White has been nominated for the Specsavers-sponsored Carer of the Year award.

‘Jayne is truly an inspiration,’ said Shelley Samson, part of the Samson family who nominated Jayne. ‘She has brought so much to our lives and been there for us in some of our darkest hours.’
Jayne and Shelley first met six years ago after Shelley’s daughter, Ivy, died at full term, with Jayne conducting her funeral as a celebrant.
Jayne had also lost her first daughter in similar circumstances.
Shelley said, ‘After many chats we soon discovered we had very much in common; a lot of discussion of wanting to give back something to the community and the hospital.’
Alongside the guidance of Jayne, her hard work and support resulted in a bereavement suite on Loveridge ward being refurbished, called the Ivy Room.
This led to The Ivy Trust Charity being created, which supports families who have suffered the loss of a baby.
‘Six years on, the charity has funded training for midwives and important lifesaving equipment, created a memorial garden within the PEH grounds and provided memory boxes for grieving families, helping to build tangible memories.
‘Without Jayne this would be impossible,’ Shelley said. ‘We want to thank her for coming into our lives and for all her hard work.’
‘She feels more like family than a friend. She doesn’t realise how special she is.’