Royal Voluntary Service (RVS) Forth Valley, Strathcarron Hospice, and FoodTrain have recently launched a new Winter Pressures project, in order to help support NHS Forth Valley through the winter.

The project is supported by Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP), and Clackmannanshire and Stirling HSCP.

(Image caption: A white snowflake, outlined in blue, with each of the project partners’ logos surrounding, and the NHS Forth Valley logo in the centre.)

As part of the project, RVS and their partners provide a Hospital Link Worker Service (HLWS) and coordinated community “out of hospital” wrap around care across Forth Valley. The HLWS brings together a range of organisations to support patients on their discharge from hospital, putting them at the centre of the service and signposting them to different groups and charities close to their community who can help.

The project’s person-centred focus aims to put control and choice in the hands of the patient, tailoring support to the individual and their needs.

They are looking for volunteers to join them this winter, helping vulnerable people to get home safely, and with support, after a hospital stay.

Sarah Murray, Commissioned Services Operations Manager – Scotland, at RVS Forth Valley, said:

“Volunteers are at the centre of our partnership project and their kindness has already supported many local people to settle in safely and comfortably at home after a hospital stay. To keep up with the pressures of this Winter period, we need more volunteer hands on deck, and we invite people from across Forth Valley to get in touch and to join us as a volunteer, so that together we can help many more vulnerable community members at this difficult time.”

Information on how you can get involved is available below:

Food Train

Food Train exists to make daily life easier for older people, providing vital and easy to access services for individuals who are experiencing difficulties in managing independently at home.

Food Train’s team of staff and volunteers can provide:

Weekly grocery shopping and delivery
Support with heavy household tasks, such as changing bedding/curtains/light bulbs and cleaning cupboards/floors/inside windows.
A volunteer “friend” to chat regularly on the telephone or visit at home
A volunteer “cook” to share a regular nutritious home-cooked meal and some company
Group social activities and outings
Advice, help and support to access other services

To join Food Train as a volunteer to help with Winter Pressures and beyond, contact them by email: falkirk@thefoodtrain.co.uk

Strathcarron Hospice Living Right up to the End (Compassionate Neighbours)

Compassionate Neighbours are volunteers from our local communities who are trained and supported by the Compassionate Communities team at Strathcarron Hospice.

The Strathcarron Living Right up to the End programme offers non-medical support to people living with long term or life limiting conditions to enable them to live as well as possible right up to the end of life. Support is also offered to carers and people who have been bereaved.

The team of staff and volunteers can:

Provide social, emotional and practical support in small groups or one to one, in a place of the person’s choice
Offer a friendly compassionate listening ear
Facilitate open conversations about planning for the later stages of life, including anticipatory care planning
Help people to build the confidence to connect with and participate in community activities in a meaningful way.
Signpost people to community resources

To join Strathcarron Hospice as a volunteer to help with Winter Pressures and beyond, contact them by email: fv.compassionatecommunities@nhs.scot

Royal Voluntary Service

Royal Voluntary Service Forth Valley’s Home from Hospital Service provides up to 12 weeks of support to people discharged from hospital to get the best recovery they can.

Trained volunteers and staff work with you on an individual basis to support your recovery and get you back to doing the things you love. The things we can help with are:

A friendly face to talk to
Getting back on your feet and getting out of the house
Socialising within your community and meeting old or new friends
Getting to medical appointments
Picking up prescriptions
Linking you in with other groups and support to make your life as full as possible

To join Royal Voluntary Service as a volunteer to help with Winter Pressures and beyond, contact them by email: falkirksyr@royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk