Could you change lives locally as a Supporting Hands volunteer for Rennie Grove

Rennie Grove Hospice Care provides care and support for patients diagnosed with life-limiting illness and their families in west Herts and Bucks
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Rennie Grove is recruiting to its Supporting Hands scheme, a volunteer-led service providing companionship, respite and practical help for patients and families in their own homes.

Supporting Hands volunteers are trained and supported by the charity to offer between two and four hours’ support each week.

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Alison Raynor, Supporting Hands Coordinator, explains: “We’ve seen a spike in referrals to this service from hospice at home nurses, who see first-hand how patients and families could benefit from some extra help.

A Supporting Hands volunteer provides support and companionship to patients and their familiesA Supporting Hands volunteer provides support and companionship to patients and their families
A Supporting Hands volunteer provides support and companionship to patients and their families

“We’ll match each volunteer to a family and arrange a block of six visits, helping with anything from light housework to dog walking, collecting prescriptions or simply having a chat or a game of cards with a patient while their carer pops to the shops or catches up on sleep.

“Each match is based on a patient’s current needs, and of course these can change quickly when you’re dealing with life-limiting illness.

"So the main thing we ask of our volunteers is that they can be flexible. You don’t need any prior experience; you just need to be a good listener with the time and motivation to make a difference.”

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Supporting Hands complements the charity’s mission to help patients live well and be cared for where they choose.

Alison added: “Families can be exhausted, on the verge of breakdown and desperate for respite support.

"Your two hours a week could change that.”

As well as playing a vital part in helping keep families together at home, Supporting Hands volunteers can be the eyes and ears of the nursing teams.

Alison said: “Not only do they free up nurses and healthcare assistants to provide more complex care to more people, but they can also give valuable feedback to nurses so they can respond quickly to pre-empt problems and keep patients safe and comfortable.”

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Classed as essential workers, Supporting Hands volunteers will continue to help combat social isolation in the ever-changing COVID-19 landscape too.

If you are interested, call the volunteering team on 01442 507321 or 01727 731020 or email [email protected] to find out more.

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