Call out for Volunteers to Ease Hospital Winter Pressures

Community360 is calling for volunteers to help support the NHS and partners to discharge patients from hospital to their homes.

With the NHS facing huge challenges, volunteers are urgently needed locally to fill ‘Home from Hospital’ roles. These volunteer roles will help people stay safe and well in their homes this winter after being discharged from hospital.

“If you would like to give something back to our local hospitals, we would love to hear from you.” Said Cat Wright, Volunteer Centre Manager at Community360. She added: “Our Home from Hospital Volunteers provides simple, practical support to isolated people after they leave hospital. We ease their worries about being discharged whilst they are in hospital, assist them in the transition back to their homes and continue to visit for 6 weeks afterwards. 

This support really helps with their recovery process at home, helping them to settle back into their community and giving them confidence again. If you only have an hour to spare a week you could make a real difference to someone’s life. We know many people are living on their own and will rely on this support.”

Pat Deburca has been volunteering for community360 wanting to give something back to the community and the hospital that has helped him in the past. “The best thing about becoming a befriending volunteer is seeing the trust the patient puts in you, and how much it is appreciated, getting them from hospital and back into their own homes, It is so rewarding, and you can really see what a difference you are making.”

Community360 also helps with things such as organising transport home from hospital, distributing winter welfare packs and signposting to charities or social groups in the area.

All volunteers will undertake induction training specific to the project and includes boundaries, safeguarding, health & safety.  They receive continued support from the team and reimbursed for any travel and out of pocket expenses. For more information on these roles please log onto:

https://www.volunteeressex.org/opportunities/home-from-hospital-befriender-9523/

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Editors’ notes 

For further information please contact Community360 on 01206 505250 or email [email protected] 

Or Sonia Shelcott Millriver Publicity 07775 613079 

Community360 is an independent charity Established in 1968 to assist charities, voluntary and community organisations in Colchester and Braintree (300+) through any activities which provide representation, enable development, encourage liaison, nurture strategic partnerships and provide support to promote voluntary action. 

Our frontline services are developed in response to local needs and not only assist established community groups but are designed to address unmet needs, with project development defined by the communities we work with to improve their outcomes and life opportunities. 

These include Community Development, Community Transport, Shopmobility, Volunteer Centre, Timebank and Community Accounts. We signpost members of the public, provide training for low level skills, apprenticeships and volunteer recruitment. Groups receive assistance on fundraising, business planning, constitutions, policies/procedures, monitoring/evaluation and Quality Marks. 

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