Older people’s charity urges Hackney residents to ‘make a difference’ in new pilot project

Vital: volunteers can help both their neighbours and the ambulance service. Photograph: RVS

One of the country’s leading volunteering charities has joined forces with the London Ambulance Service to trial a new project in Hackney aimed at supporting older people.

Royal Voluntary Service (RVS) is urging local residents to give a few hours of their time each week to help their elderly neighbours live independently.

The ‘Supporting you at Home’ service, which is being piloted in Hackney and Merton, is recruiting volunteers to look after people referred to RVS by the London Ambulance Service due to frequent falls and loneliness.

Briony Sloper, deputy director of nursing at London Ambulance Service NHS Trust, said: “The ageing population means that falls are one of the most common reasons for calls to the ambulance service and these patients represent a disproportionate number of acute admissions to hospital.

“We hope this volunteer and community-led pilot will not only reduce demand on both the ambulance service and A&E admissions but also improve outcomes for the older people of Hackney.”

Two full days of training will be provided to all volunteers, who will then assist their elderly neighbours by taking them for short walks or helping with some gentle exercises to strengthen their muscles.

RVS says those who sign up will play a significant role in reducing someone’s risk of falls as well as “easing pressure” on paramedics.

The charity’s strategy chief Dr Allison Smith said: “It is estimated that one in three people over the age of 65, and one in two over 80, will fall every year.

“We believe that targeted support provided by highly trained volunteers can make a significant difference in the physical and emotional wellbeing of older adults, reducing the chance of them falling and easing pressure on the London Ambulance Service.”

RVS coordinator Helen Ko said: “We embrace diversity and are seeking volunteers from different backgrounds and cultures. All we ask for is a commitment to help older people stay independent and active in their home and community lives.”

Any volunteers will be asked to make at least a six-month commitment to the project and should be available to start in September 2017.

To find out more information about how to become a volunteer, you can contact Helen Ko by phone on 07766 998 712 or by email at helen.ko@royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk