Calling for expressions of interest in running the Fall Prevention volunteering programme

1st September 2022

Helpforce is now calling for expressions of interest from health and care organisations, who wish to run the Fall Prevention volunteering programme.

The Falls Prevention volunteering programme, which is hailed as one of its kind in the UK, has made a huge impact on patients at Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. The programme, which sees volunteers supporting a number of patients to undertake prescribed physiotherapy exercise in their homes, has seen 89 per cent of outcomes being improved or maintained across participants, six of eight patients saw an improvement in functional fitness and a reduction in self reported fear of falling by as much as 100%.

Thanks to the success of the pilot, Helpforce is now aiming to work with a further three health and care organisations to run the programme, whether in an acute or in a community setting.

Maeve Hully, Director of Volunteering at Helpforce, said: “We are very excited to be able to offer our support to three health and care organisations, so they can adopt and adapt the Fall Prevention volunteering model.

“This programme aims to match trained volunteers to people who need support to complete exercises following a fall or injury. Volunteers can spend up to eight weeks supporting patients at home by helping them to complete their exercises safely.

“Thanks to the success that we had with Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, we have been able to produce a wide range of materials that can help organisations to quickly set up and run the service.”

Nic Kane, Chief Nurse for Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Hounslow and Richmond Community Healthcare NHS Trust, said: “I am delighted to support this piece of work, which is a fantastic example of collaborative working between community trusts, acute hospitals and the voluntary sector. Thank you to everyone involved in this project, which has made a real difference to patients. With many of these people living alone, as well as the practical support the programme offers, patients have spoken positively about the social and emotional benefits of having regular contact with someone.”

If you wish to learn more about the programme and or to express an interest in adopting and adapting the service, please contact Melissa Griffith, Helpforce Programme Manager, at mg@helpforce.community.

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