CSV, the UK’s largest volunteering charity, will in two reports published today, call on the health sector to improve the dignity of isolated older people by expanding volunteer involvement and to better train medical staff on the benefits brought by volunteers in supporting health treatment. (Embargoed until 00.01 Wednesday 15/11/06)

Currently in the UK 17% of over 65s go without weekly contact with friends, family or neighbours (1) and with a recent study revealing that rushed care workers often spend as little as 15 minutes with older people (2) there is more need than ever to place volunteers with the neglected and isolated. Independent research finds 83% of older people receiving volunteer support report improvements in their quality of life. (3)

In the health sector volunteers make a dramatic difference to the cost of providing treatment whilst ensuring that the most vulnerable people are not neglected. An average GP call-out takes four times longer than a surgery visit and a  volunteer who transports patients to make their doctor appointments will save the NHS £45 a time, as well as giving more sick people the opportunity to been by a doctor. (4)

CSV’s Director of RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme), Denise Murphy, says: “Volunteers are already tackling social isolation through a number of projects which encourage older people to support others in their community. For example, volunteers involved with telephone befriending schemes connect the housebound and isolated, letting them know someone cares about them. Also if no one answers the volunteer’s call the social services can be alerted to potential flashpoints. A quick telephone call can make all the difference.”
 
“In the health sector the benefits for patients and professional will only be fully realised when greater opportunities for volunteer involvement in created and medical staff are given adequate training. The next generation of doctors and nurses need to understand that volunteers providing transport to and from GP surgeries or supporting lonely patients on hospital wards are not only tackling health inequality but freeing professionals to concentrate more fully on their medical role.”

Case Studies:

Jean Child, aged 76 lives in the city of London and since retiring as a pub land lady has volunteered with CSV’s Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme (RSVP) supporting local isolated older people.

“I visit one 94 year old lady everyday just to check if she needs any shopping and to stop by for a chat. ‘Home help’ make her some soup everyday for lunch and also help with shopping but she still likes to cook her own evening dinner and they don’t always get her what she wants. She knows that day or night I am only ever a five minute phone call away and that gives her real comfort.

“She definitely sees me more of a friend than as a volunteer and I see her as a friend now as well. I think it is important to help when you are older. Volunteering keeps you busy and stops you staying at home and moping. You can get fed up with your own company.  I wish more people would volunteer to support isolated people in their local area.”

Joan Turnbull, aged 68 and from Co Durham is a driver support volunteer with RSVP taking older people from the area to hospital and GP appointments.

“I have always done a lot of volunteering and have been volunteering for nearly 50 years. I like helping people but I find it helps me because I like to keep busy. 

“Many older people get nervous when they go to visit the hospital. They get confused about where to go and how to get around. I usually help walk them to the right department and give them a hand using the lifts or anything else they find confusing. Some even ask me to come in and sit in with them when they meet the doctor. They trust me and like me to help explain what the doctor is talking about.

“I know that I am making a difference to their lives and that my help is really appreciated. I also know how important and useful the volunteer transport service is because I used it myself when I had a knee operation.”

Download 'Healthy options - enhancing health services for older people'

or

Download 'Pillars of support - the impact of older volunteering'


- ends -

Further press information or to register to attend: Paul Donohoe, Senior Press Officer on 020 7812 0037 pdonohoe@csv.org.uk or Jason Tanner, Head of Press on 020 7812 0038 / 07941 433598 or jtanner@csv.org.uk
Latest press releases: www.csv.org.uk/press

Notes for editors:

1. Loneliness, Social Isolation and Living Alone in Later Life, ESRC Growing Older Programme, Research Findings 17, Sheffield: GOP, University of Sheffield, 2003

2. Making a Difference Through Volunteering, Older People Programme, 2006

3. Time to Care? The Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI), 2006

4. Extrapolated from figures supplied by the Institute of Healthcare Management.

5. CSV (Community Service Volunteers) creates opportunities for people to take an active part in the life of their communities through volunteering, training and community action. Each year 195,000 people give 4.9 million hours of their time as volunteers through CSV. CSV trains 11,500 people of all ages and a further 4,000 as part of its media programme. www.csv.org.uk