Heartbeat: Community project scoops top gong at national awards
January 7, 2019
A unique befriending initiative between volunteers and our patients, which has seen a 67 per cent reduction in the length for some patients, has scooped a coveted national award.
The Sapphire Service has won the Celebrating Inclusion and Diversity in Volunteering category at the inaugural Helpforce Champions Awards 2018.
The project, which is run jointly by Agewell and West Bromwich African Caribbean Resource Centre and was initially funded by Your Trust Charity, also boasted a reduction of 49 per cent in re-admissions.
Volunteers, who work alongside staff from the Sapphire Service, befriend patients whilst they are being treated as inpatients at Sandwell Hospital and ensure they are eating well and have plenty to drink. After they are discharged, patients receive home visits from the volunteers who will support them in many ways, such as helping them with grocery shopping or managing their bills, so they can eventually return to their normal way of life.
Johnny Shah, Head of Your Trust Charity, said: “Since the project started in March 2017, it has achieved some fantastic results and we’re delighted to see this project receive national recognition.
“The Sapphire Service has made a great difference, particularly to patients who do not have many visitors. We asked those who have benefited from the service what they thought and their feedback told us that they felt less lonely and isolated thanks to the support of the volunteers.”
Shane Ward, Chief Executive of the West Bromwich African Caribbean Resource Centre, said: “This award is a ringing endorsement of the effort, energy and positive approach of all the partners, West Bromwich African Caribbean Resource Centre, Agewell and Your Trust Charity.
“The award has given us all a great boost and we look forward to continuing the positive working relationship.
“The project has looked after 890 elderly patients and 353 of them have been from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds. One of the key reasons why the project’s been so successful is because it focuses on inclusion and diversity.
“A majority of our volunteers are from BAME backgrounds as well as our patients, which means they feel more confident in communicating with the volunteers about their issues and asking for the help that they need.”
Deborah Harrold, Chief Executive of Agewell added: “I would like to say thank you to Your Trust Charity for funding this project.
“Without this vital support, many patients would struggle to go back to their normal life.”
The awards, which took place in London on Thursday 8 November, celebrated the varied ways in which volunteers across the country are giving their time to benefit patients, colleagues and communities.
By shining a light on the range of ways that volunteers are involved in the NHS, the Helpforce Champions Awards demonstrated that dedicated volunteers can contribute to a more compassionate care system for everyone.
Sir Thomas Hughes-Hallett, Founder and Chair of Helpforce, said: “We have been humbled to see so many examples of inspiring volunteering from across the country. We know the benefits that well managed volunteers bring, with substantial improvements in patient care and positive feedback from NHS staff.
“Helpforce is on a mission to inspire as many people as possible to enjoy being part of the health and care of British people, and we thank all those volunteers who are giving so much.”
Helpforce is a national movement to improve the lives of NHS staff, patients and communities through the power of volunteering. It is working with hospitals and healthcare workers to create the future of volunteering in the NHS. Backed by leaders in the world of healthcare, it aims to make community-integrated healthcare the norm across the UK.