Highland Hospice has developed a brand new initiative which offers to help people in their own homes. Launching in Invergordon, Alness, Tain and surrounding area, ‘Helping Hands’ has been established to help people with advanced life shortening illness who live at home and do not require the specialised level of care provided in the Hospice, which is currently running from its temporary base in Invergordon.
A team of specially recruited and trained Highland Hospice volunteers are on hand to visit people, providing a friendly ear as well as extra practical assistance to help reduce anxiety and stress. This help applies to both the person who has a diagnosis and their carers.
While the Hospice’s volunteers will not become involved in personal or medical care, domestic tasks such as cooking or cleaning, there are many ways in which they can help out.
These include:
• Reading with the person
• Helping with a hobby
• Helping with practical tasks such as writing letters, library visits, shopping
• Providing emotional support at times of change or difficulty
• Accompanying to medical appointments or a social group
• Chatting about national and local news and activities
• Sitting with people to enable carers to have a break
If you think that someone you know in Invergordon, Alness, Tain and surrounding area may benefit from a ‘Helping Hand’, please visit www.highlandhospice.org/helpinghands for further information and to access an enquiry form. Alternatively, you can call 01463 243132 and ask for Helping Hands or email clinsec@highlandhospice.org.uk
