Here to Help (H2H ) is a group of volunteers set up under the auspices of the hospital to provide clients in the Rye area with help and support on a short-term basis. Many people are unable to drive due to an operation, others have recently been bereaved. Sometimes the client may need immediate help when discharged from hospital but others are well supported by family and health visitors and need help later on, after a few weeks. Some can’t be left alone and need a volunteer to sit with them while their partners are out.
Volunteers will help with shopping, providing transport to medical appointments, collecting prescriptions and pensions, filling in forms for blue badges, lifelines (red buttons), attendance allowances, letter writing and telephone calls and more.
Clients can be referred by the matron of Rye hospital, district nurses or the surgeries at Rye and Northiam, however, no referral is necessary to use this scheme.
The volunteers have little or no nursing qualifications but all are DBS checked and want to give their time.
In general we visit once or twice a week for approximately 6 weeks which is usually enough to get people back on their feet and confidence back. If longer is needed then maybe we can give it. We try to keep in touch during the 6 weeks with regular telephone calls between visits which is an added support.
Several of the volunteers have continued to keep in touch with the clients long after the 6 weeks, having built up a good rapport and genuine friendship. We can often refer people on to other organisations who can continue to visit if this is needed.
We do not charge for this service but we ask for a small donation towards petrol costs as several of the volunteers need to claim expenses.
Please call 01797 224044 and leave a message on the answerphone. The answerphone is checked regularly so please leave a message and we will get back to you.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help, or refer somebody who may benefit from help. If we can’t then maybe we can refer you to other organisations.
