NNUH appeal to volunteers to help the less fortunate this winter

Settle in Service First co-hort

The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital is appealing for more volunteers to join their ‘settle in service’ programme after a previous successful recruitment drive backed by the EDP and Norwich Evening News.

The service, launched during volunteering week in June, has had a busy summer. With an expected increase in patients accessing the service over the colder months more volunteers are needed.

‘Settle-in’ volunteers meet patients as they return home and carry out some simple checks around the home. They can also arrange for patients to be helped or referred to other services where necessary including the Red Cross Support at Home service which can offer on-going support for discharged patients. The volunteering role can be ad hoc and slot in around an individual’s work or other commitments.

Sally Knights, NNUH Volunteering Manager said: ““There are some really exciting opportunities available as part of the NNUH volunteers team, particularly the “Settle in” project with a network of volunteers across the county meeting patients as they return home and carry out some simple checks around the house such as making a cup of tea or making sure the central heating is on and working.  Many of our patients do not have family members living locally and need extra help to regain their confidence after leaving hospital.”

Lisa Amer, NNUH Settle-in Service Discharge Co-ordinator added: “The service has grown from strength to strength since it was launched and has helped many people over the summer. In order for the service to manage the additional capacity which is expected over the winter months we need more volunteers to join the service. We are looking for those special people who want to help and make a real difference to someone who has just returned home from hospital.”

To register your interest or to find out more information please contact the volunteers office by emailing volunteers@nnuh.nhs.uk or telephone 01603 286060.

Background
The volunteer service at NNUH covers many roles at NNUH including the Settle-in Service and it has grown from 72 volunteers to 675 in the last 10 years.  The service is run by the Voluntary Services Team which co-ordinates all the volunteer activities.

All volunteers undertake a training programme covering areas such as infection control, health and safety, safeguarding patients and confidentiality.  On recruitment, volunteers must supply two references and have a Disclosure and Barring (DBS) check.  They also have an occupational health assessment.

Volunteers fulfil a variety of roles, such as meeting and greeting patients as they arrive at hospital, supporting patients and staff in the wards and clinics, and providing support to patients at mealtimes. Dementia support volunteers have been introduced to the Older People’s Medicine wards and some specialist roles have also been established such as Reading Aloud, Reminiscence, Breast Feeding Support and Music Therapy.