Care support needed in Highland with call for more volunteers

Community volunteers can check-in daily by phone or in-person

Published 7th Apr 2020

It's hoped more volunteers to help Highland Hospice will prevent resources from our already stretched health service being put under further pressure.

Highland Hospice has formed a partnership with Highland Home Carers to recruit volunteers to support those currently in receipt of care at home.

As Coronavirus spreads there will be less people able to work in the care at home sector, with the threat that those receiving a care package may receive a reduced service - or no service at all.

Highland Hospice and Highland Home Carers want to allocate each of these people a Community Volunteer who'll check-in daily by phone or in-person. The volunteer may provide a hand with everyday chores like shopping and collecting prescriptions.

It does not involve the delivery of personal care but may, where both are willing and it is safe to do so, involve going into the home and helping with cooking and cleaning under current health guidelines.

Even if the volunteer would prefer not to enter the property the Hospice can still use their support.

Kenny Steele, Highland Hospice Chief Executive said, ‘We know that as time moves on more and more of the most vulnerable members of our community will need extra help, and many fit and able people will want to lend a hand at this difficult time.

Care at Home is the bedrock of our health and social care system and those that work in it deserve all the support we can give them. Without care at home the pressure on our hospitals will be overwhelming and people who deserve our care will suffer.’

If you are interested in being a Highland Hospice Community Volunteer you can read more and apply online here