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Leonard and Claire’s story

Leonard, 84, lives alone in a rural village with no nearby family. He’s had a very positive experience with the Bassetlaw Home from Hospital service, which has provided him with the volunteer help and transport he needs to help visit the doctors, go shopping, carry items back into his house and more. Claire arranged the support that Leonard received.

"In my opinion this Home from Hospital service could be considered the third arm of the health service.

"Following treatment for arthritis in my knee, I received a total knee replacement. Unfortunately I suffered a serious fall after the operation and this resulted in four weeks in hospital, followed by five and a half weeks in re-habilitation, after which I was discharged and taken home by two NHS staff. My experience of WRVS help started from this moment.

"On arrival home I found a succession of voice mail messages from Claire, the WRVS organiser offering help and advice. In the following six weeks I was given regular help and a single phone call resulted in a volunteer collecting me from home to attend doctor’s surgery, health centre for drugs and treatment and taking me to the next village for essential groceries. All was collected, carried and housed in my kitchen. My limited balance and lack of confidence that a second fall could occur meant that household shopping in my usual supermarket required a wheelchair and shopping trolley adapter. The volunteer was superb, organising every move and developing my confidence to stand upright in a crowded shop.

"During those six weeks, I had regular contact by telephone so that I never felt isolated. Unlike the health services WRVS is a charity and I have seen recently how important it is to have the right people operating these voluntary services."

Leonard

"When I met Leonard he had really been through the mill, recovering from this major trauma. With his family living across the country he was very appreciative of our quick response. Usually a very independent person, it was a life line initially having his shopping done and then being taken out.

"Leonard is now an active member of our Steering Group and before Christmas he nominated the project for an award with "Supporting Life's Journeys" - Befriending Project Recognition Award.

"As a service co-ordinator it gives me real satisfaction to see what a difference the service makes and encourages people to live independently within their home."

Claire, Service Co-ordinator, WRVS

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