Constructing on the success of the NHS Volunteer Responders Programme in healthcare settings over the pandemic, the Authorities has now expanded the scheme into social care – forming a joint NHS and Care Volunteer Responders Programme. Care suppliers can now ask volunteers to assist folks of their native areas throughout a spread of care settings. Volunteers will present assist to folks receiving care from native companies in the neighborhood by chat companies and supply roles. Find out more in this news story.
Royal Star & Garter, a charity offering compassionate care to veterans and their companions dwelling with incapacity or dementia in Solihull, Surbiton and Excessive Wycombe, has an extended and fruitful relationship with volunteers. Their strategy could be very a lot within the spirit of the expanded responder programme. Helena Maher, Supervisor of the Surbiton residence, displays on the optimistic affect volunteers have already got on residents and employees.
We’re lucky to have a staff of devoted and enthusiastic volunteers coming in to assist all through the week. Earlier than the pandemic, many volunteers got here in to assist with the numerous actions laid on in our properties. Lockdown stopped that. Though some volunteers were able to continue, COVID-19 restrictions meant volunteering inside our residence floor to a halt.
As we emerged from the pandemic and reopened our doorways, we began working with our fundraising and advertising and marketing staff and appealed for volunteers to return. We have been searching for “Chatty Companions” – individuals who may spend time with residents on a one-to-one foundation, doing puzzles, studying newspapers and serving to residents keep in contact with the surface world.
We additionally appeared for folks to assist the wellbeing staff with varied actions, together with music, arts and crafts, quizzes and debating, and provoking residents to affix the enjoyable. And we wished folks to assist with the numerous outings we offer. We promoted this in native media and on social media and acquired a implausible response.
Volunteering is a win/win
Whereas volunteers can’t assist our healthcare assistants and nurses with the supply of care, there is no such thing as a doubt the entire staff reaps the advantages of their assist, giving them extra time to concentrate on the wellbeing of residents. This, in flip, results in improved bodily well being, lowering the necessity for medical intervention, which eases workload stress on care employees.
Not all our volunteers are based mostly within the residence. We lately launched a Phone Friendship Service. Volunteers name veterans and their companions who stay in their very own properties, wherever within the nation. The purpose is to supply assist and a pleasant voice to somebody who’s feeling lonely or remoted, or who would merely like a chat.
Volunteers typically converse of the enjoyment they get from spending time with our residents and serving to employees concentrate on delivering nice care. One mentioned: “I quit my time, however I get a lot again in return. I come away feeling elated, nourished and all the time glad I went.”
Discover out extra in regards to the NHS and Care Volunteer Responders Programme and the way it may assist your care service or set you on the trail to turning into a volunteer your self.
