Volunteers sprang into action to help
26th November 2020
Submitted by Collette Irving, Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust
Mersey Care Life Rooms offer a range of opportunities for service users, carers and the community; challenge stigma and promote positive mental health and wellbeing. Prior to COVID-19, Life Rooms had a vast amount of volunteers who gave up their time to assist our service users and to help with the smooth running of our sites. When the virus struck we had to take the hard decision to close all of our sites.
Many of our service users have complex physical and mental health needs and can often suffer from loneliness. With our sites closed many of our service users felt isolated and unsupported. This had a devastating effect on the people who access opportunities; even more so our volunteers who on a daily basis help with the smooth running of Life Rooms. At the peak of the virus, many of our volunteers got in touch to see if there was any way in which they could help.
When the Check in and Chat role was introduced our volunteers sprang into action at the chance of supporting the NHS and also the community we serve. The NHS Responder Scheme received thousands of applications to support this role, on reflection they did not have to contribute and could quite easily have stepped back.
Currently there are 40 volunteers providing the Check In and Chat service. They ring our service users or community members weekly to provide friendly conversation, offer support or a chance to offload any worries they may have on their mind. For many of our service users this can be their only social interaction all week.
Of the 40 volunteers, many have undertook contacting more than one companion and most have up to three. So far the hours provided are in excess of 500+ to vulnerable adults. Of the 40 volunteers, 95% are people who have lived the experience and have used mental health services. Having experienced similar issues to some of the people they are speaking with, provides understanding, knowledge and most of all empathy via peer support. By giving of their time and helping others, our volunteers have stated they have sustained their own wellbeing throughout the pandemic. Their speedy reaction, enthusiasm, dedication, compassion and professionalism throughout, is something they should all be proud of and have recognition for.
Here are some examples of feedback volunteers have received from either their companion or members of staff:
“The volunteer I have been paired with has really turned my lockdown around”
“I would like to say a big thank you to all the staff and volunteers for such a wonderful scheme to help our service users through lock down”
“I only speak to my volunteer once a week but when I do it’s the best 20 mins of my day”
“The volunteer that my client has been paired with really has smashed it every time I don’t have a bad thing to say”
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