by Alan Quick

LOCAL charity Hospiscare is hoping members of the public will volunteer to help support patients through their care by becoming a Care Navigator.

The charity is looking for people who can visit patients at home to provide practical support and a friendly face.

Hospiscare has already trained and placed 15 Care Navigators in the Honiton area, and the scheme has been so successful that they are now looking for volunteers willing to give a few hours a week in the Crediton area.

Current Care Navigator, David Woodward, loves his role and said: “It’s a great blend of helping someone in my community, in the time I am able to offer.”

He recently appeared in an article in “The Guardian”, when Tracey Bleakley, chief executive at Hospice UK wrote about his role after meeting him at Hospiscare.

She said: “I was really impressed by his whole approach towards volunteering. He has a demanding job but is proof that this is no barrier when you really want to volunteer.

“He supported a man with cancer in his 60s and co-ordinated everything from pub visits to liaising with doctors and nurses and also arranging maintenance at his home. Dave also provided valuable companionship, as well as reassurance that everything would be organised.”

David says of his visits: ”We enjoy a pub lunch together most times when I visit. This seems to be the only time the gentleman is able to get out and he clearly enjoys the occasions and meals. I happen to enjoy the visits too!”

Tracey valued the support she could see that volunteering gave and added: “It made me realise that volunteering is not necessarily all about face-to-face contact, it’s about that human connection, something that is such a key characteristic of hospice care.”

Care Navigators are provided with training and ongoing support, and help patients by introducing a range of services, to find the support that is right for them. There is no clinical care at any time.

They regularly visit patients at home and provide a link between the patient, their carer, Hospiscare’s team and the wider health and social care system.

If you’re interested in finding out more about how you could support a patient in your community please contact Vicky on 01392 688068 or email: [email protected] .