Hospital Homecoming Volunteers help people who have a had a stay in hospital and who need a bit of extra help to settle back at home. Many of these patients are likely to be identified as isolated and lonely with low support at home. This volunteer role is not ongoing and will last no longer than 12 weeks -- just the right amount of time to help someone to recover and get back on their feet. Support activities may include: • Helping someone return home from hospital (put the heating on, milk and bread in fridge) • Talking (friendly chat) in patient’s home or on the phone • Shopping (or assisting them with their shopping) • Transport – to a scheduled appointment • Going for a walk with patient to gain confidence, exercise, or walking their dog • Putting bins out, or helping with small tasks that the person may find very difficult • Update Hospital homecoming co-ordinator on patient progress, problems, queries • Maintain patient confidentiality at all times. Not part of the responsibilities • Personal care (Dressing, washing) • Wound dressing/management/medication • Emptying of catheters or any health care management

Hospital Homecoming Volunteers help people who have a had a stay in hospital and who need a bit of extra help to settle back at home. Many of these patients are likely to be identified as isolated and lonely with low support at home. This volunteer role is not ongoing and will last no longer than 12 weeks -- just the right amount of time to help someone to recover and get back on their feet. Support activities may include: • Helping someone return home from hospital (put the heating on, milk and bread in fridge) • Talking (friendly chat) in patient’s home or on the phone • Shopping (or assisting them with their shopping) • Transport – to a scheduled appointment • Going for a walk with patient to gain confidence, exercise, or walking their dog • Putting bins out, or helping with small tasks that the person may find very difficult • Update Hospital homecoming co-ordinator on patient progress, problems, queries • Maintain patient confidentiality at all times. Not part of the responsibilities • Personal care (Dressing, washing) • Wound dressing/management/medication • Emptying of catheters or any health care management

Do you own a friendly, outgoing, though not too boisterous dog who loves to have a fuss made of them? Then perhaps, you might like to thank about registering them in our THERAPET visiting service. You heard of it? Let me tell you about it. For some years now it has been recognised, more nd more, that pets are good for us! Indeed it has been scientifically proved that the mere action of stroking a dog, cat, slows down the heartbeat, reduces blood pressure, and makes someone who has already suffered a heart attack much less likely to have another. Through no fault of their own, many people find themselves deprived of the companionship of a much loved dog. It may be they have had to go into sheltered housing, residential care, a long stay hospital etc. The same applies to children and adults who have an additional support need and those suffering from a terminal illness. THERAPETS come in all breeds, cross-breeds, or 57 variety mongrels! They can be small, medium or large. The only vital statistic is a steady and happy temperament. The dogs are approved for temperament and general stability being accepted and are not considered until at least one year old. Volunteer owners must become actual members of CANINE CONCERN SCOTLAND TRUST - mainly so that we can be sure of insurance cover - although happily so far we only know of one, very minor accident, a happy day's tail sweeping a vase from a low table. Volunteers must be willing to make a regular commitment to visit, it need not be very often, once a fortnight, once a month or whenever, but the visits must be regular because the residents and patients look forward to them so much and are disappointed if they suddenly cease. Sometimes small miracles occur - people who have never spoken, turned their faces to the wall in fact - magically come to life at the first appearance of a dog in a ward! This to the surprise and delight of the nursing staff, in many cases the dogs and owners provide some light relief for them too. Sadly, it has to be said that some of the residents or patients the THERAPETS are their only visitors. We like to encourage them to regard the doggy visitors as their very own. There is no charge for this service which is organised and carried out entirely by volunteers. We fund raise in various ways to keep it going. More than anything else, we need MORE VOLUNTEERS! The service has proved so popular that they demand has overtaken the supply. So, if you think this might be for you, or once importantly, for your dog, please do contact us for more detail and perhaps an application form to register your dog.

Fresh Community Wellness is a growing grassroots charity, registered Scottish Charity Number, SC051346. We operate out of Aberdeen city, working within a (S.I.M.D) high neighbourhood to create lasting change and build a legacy for the future. Predominantly in Seaton neighbourhoods and outdoors, we work with volunteers/residents, with a salutogenic approach to community wellness. To help with this we have great opportunities and need people to help out as volunteers for a range of roles including: *Food growing, gardeners, greenspace management, tidy ups volunteers. *Mentors, community engagement, events, entertainers (kids, adults, 55+). *Outdoors games & sports volunteers, building outdoor areas for residents (sheltered housing seating), health. *Artists/ Sculptors to begin on our Street Art & Design projects, and sculptures. *Admin, coordinators, team lead volunteers, advisors & support volunteers. *Drop-in café helpers, advisors, cooking assistants. All are fantastic opportunities to make a real difference for people and communities in Aberdeen. Excellent support and relevant training is provided to all volunteers. For more details about these volunteer roles or other ways you can help support the important work and volunteering at Fresh Community Wellness SCIO, please contact our website www.freshcom.org.uk or email us at chair@freshcom.org.uk or secretary@freshcom.org.uk