Hi, I’m Jamie McDonald 👋 , founder of Ward Buddies. I spent the first nine years of my life in and out of hospital with a rare spinal condition, so I know how lonely hospital days can feel and how deeply that can affect a child for years to come.

That’s why we created Ward Buddies.

We’re up and running at Birmingham Children’s Hospital 🏥, focusing on the youngest children—especially babies and toddlers in the neonatal and early years wards—where abandonment trauma can leave its deepest marks.

With a dedicated team including a doctor psychologist 🩺, project manager 🗂️, peer support worker with lived experience 💛, and 25 incredible volunteers 🙌, we help children feel emotionally held and supported, even in their most vulnerable moments.