Help at Home

Help at Home

Free practical and emotional support in the home.

Cambridge, South Cambs and East Cambs
01223 714433

Huntingdonshire and Fenland
01354 694413

Peterborough
01954 774800

Email: helpathome@care-network.org.uk

Download leaflet
Download Referral Form

Our network of local volunteers are supported by trained district coordinators to provide free practical and emotional support in the home.

The service is for any adult who has come out of hospital or is experiencing an illness or crisis at home. Anyone, including individuals themselves, concerned families, hospital or community-based professionals and other organisations can make a referral for help.

We provide a person-centred service with the aim of helping our clients to return home from hospital in a safe and timely manner, prevent an admission or readmission to hospital and make connections in their community. Our aim is to ensure those we care for have an enjoyable life and increase their confidence and independence.

Shopping
Help and Advice
Form Filling
Cutting a Shrub
Leaving Hospital
Collecting a Prescription
Companionship

Admissions Avoidance and Wellbeing in the Community

Help for up to 6 weeks to prevent unnecessary admissions to hospital or to enhance wellbeing and enable an individual to make connections in their community

Activities of Staff and Volunteers Include:

 Emergency shop on discharge from hospital

 Shopping or help to arrange online shopping or deliveries

 Monitoring general well-being and well-being questioning

 Support for individuals to make appointments and transport arrangements

 Healthy and Warm Homes applications and grant co-ordination plus
management for those who are struggling to keep their homes warm
in the winter

 Support can be extended as a new referral if needed

 Social interaction and companionship

 Collecting prescriptions

 Emotional support and confidence building

 Restart services that may have ceased whilst they have been in hospital

 Encouragement to eat, drink and take appropriate exercise

Follow up and Ongoing Support

All individuals supported under our programme are offered check-up calls at two, four and six weeks after our provision has finished to make sure that they are still well and happy at home and to re-establish any support should it be needed. To ensure support continues to be available, we work closely with our colleagues in Community Navigators to provide information about local services and activities that may be essential or enjoyable.

Maintaining Independence at Home

If longer term volunteer support is needed, we may be able to arrange it through our ‘Maintaining Independence at Home scheme’. Here we provide help for people with one-off tasks or ongoing volunteer support that enables them to remain independent at home.

Possible Tasks Include but are not Limited to:

 Accompanied shopping or appointment support

 General support to help individuals stay in touch with their
community, avoid isolation and remain independent at home

 Changing a light bulb

 Emptying cupboards

 Help to fill in short forms or write letters and cards

 Weekly check and chat visit

 One off shop

 Cutting back a shrub

 Moving items

Testimonials

About Testimonial 10

Such a lovely service. The volunteer was lovely and so were you all. I loved the chats and the fact a member of staff came back to help the next day as I couldn't have a volunteer straight away. That was so lovely…. I have had such a bad time and my family were away. I would have been very down and lonely. It's difficult to be positive all the time.

About Testimonial 09

Yes, the volunteer sat and had a chat with me and on the 3rd visit she took me to the hairdresser, which was a laugh. It was nice when you know someone is coming to see you

About Testimonial 08

The volunteer was lovely. I like to have a chat and now I don't see anyone and feel so down…As I don’t feel well enough to go anywhere it was nice to know I was getting a visitor, it gave me something to look forward to…It was nice to look forward to seeing someone.

About Testimonial 07

It’s been fantastic and I’m so grateful for your help. This has been lovely also to have a little chat and I feel calmer as I was feeling rather shaken from my vertigo.

About Testimonial 06

The Volunteer took my little dog for a walk and stayed and had a chat. Lovely man, very helpful!

About Testimonial 05

The volunteer was a big help: not just with me, she helped my husband who is 83. It gave my him a break from the four walls.

About Testimonial 04

The volunteer is very good and it's not just shopping. It's the company, as there is no one here apart from me. I wouldn't have any food without you. It's nice to know someone is coming to see you.

About Testimonial 03

It's nice to know that someone can help: just fill in those gaps if needed. Everyone is so busy these days. I got just what I asked for and more. It was great and I think I'm doing as well as can be.

About Testimonial 02

Without the volunteer who visited me I think I would have just sat here and I was ready to give up really as I missed my wife so much. Thank you again for the lovely service you provide. I don't like to go out, so it was nice to talk to someone.

About Testimonial 01

The volunteer was very good. I just needed someone to be there as I lost all my confidence. It was fantastic to know that there was someone there just in case I had a wobble moment and I lost it. My confidence just went but I have it back, which is great. It was great to know that someone would support me and I know that I can call again if I need some help. I don't like bothering others. Everyone is busy and had their own problems, so its's great to know that you are there. It was just what I asked for.