Volunteering to help someone at home after being in hospital
We link people who need a bit of help after a stay in hospital with volunteers who can provide that support. We're aiming to put in a small team of volunteers for daily visits, or an individual to support once a week for around 6 weeks with a flexible approach.
Call our project leads, Helena or Alex on 01625 374050 for a chat about how you can get involved, or complete our online form to register to volunteer.
Who needs our help
Most people who leave hospital after a stay of a few days, weeks or even longer, have good networks of families and friends and need nothing from us.
However, many people don’t have this and would really benefit from having a volunteer who could carry out tasks such as turning on the heating before they leave hospital, doing a little shopping or provide transport to a medical appointment. Just as important as someone who will stop and chat and get to know them as people, and help us to give them better support whether through longer term befriending or by supporting their family carer, as they are often exhausted and need help too.
Some people are lonely and isolated and need company. A friendly conversation with someone who cares can have a big impact. They might also benefit from being accompanied to a local service for a few weeks, an activity or support group they feel too shy to go to alone.
Register to volunteer
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Focussed on discharges from Macclesfield and Crewe hospitals, and delivered in the person's home the service runs across Cheshire East, we believe that the best support happens in your own community, so this is a great opportunity to make a difference nearby.
We work with healthcare, social services and local charities to understand how best we can support, offering this first to people who are being discharged from Macclesfield hospital into our neighbourhoods from Congleton and to the north initially, and quickly moving to South of Congleton, around discharges from Crewe Leighton hospital.
Mileage, or reasonable travel (public transport) costs will be paid for this role, as volunteering shouldn’t cost you money. You don’t need to be a driver, some tasks will need a driver, but there are many won’t.
Full training and support for this will be given, with a full day’s initial training to get you ready, regular check ins and monthly team meetings so that we can share ideas and experiences, support each other and get to know each other as a team. There will also be regular optional CPD sessions to support what you do, and whilst we have some ideas about that, we’ll also take our lead from you – if you think you need it, we’ll organise it.
You'll need to be over 18, and as you'll be working with vulnerable adults, we'll carry out an enhanced DBS check. Having a criminal record doesn't necessarily mean you can't support, let us know and we'll talk it through.
If you're going to be driving, we’ll need to see your drivers’ licence and car insurance to check that you’re insured for volunteer work (Cheshire East Council insure you for the role, but our insurers ask for this).
There’s more general information on volunteering at Cheshire East Council. Find out more about Volunteering in Cheshire East.
Information for professionals
We work with Macclesfield, and in Autumn 2024, Crewe hospitals discharge professionals and the Cheshire East Community connectors to provide the right support to people being discharged from those hospitals. We link volunteers, sometimes a team if there are needs every day, sometimes one person if it's less intense, up to people who need support for around 6 weeks, in their home.
All volunteers are carefully selected, DBS checked, trained and well supported in this role, and as this service is designed to work with, not replace medical and social care work, are not able to do any personal care, administer medicines or do any moving and handling. We are only able to take referrals from discharge professionals in Macclesfield hospital from July 2024, and Crewe from Autumn 2024 and not from any other third sector or statutory services.
Contact us
If you’re a discharge professional from Macclesfield hospital and would like to find out more, you can contact the Volunteer Support team:
Email: volunteersupport@cheshireeast.gov.uk
Phone: 01625 374050
Page last reviewed: 09 July 2024
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