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May 2019 May 2019

hospital, preparing and responding to emergencies, to reuniting families across the
globe.
In Dorset services include Crisis Response, Support at Home, Mobility Aids,
Community Connectors and Refugee Services. Like any charity, the British Red
Cross is dependent on fundraising and donations to survive, as well as the amazing
efforts of a team of dedicated volunteers across the county.

Support at Home Dorset

At the end of 2016, the British Red
Cross teamed up with Dorset
County Hospital to offer a new
service which supports patients
after a stay in hospital. The
Support at Home service provides
patients, who are over 65, with
short-term support (up to six
weeks) to smooth the process of
settling back into a normal routine
and enabling people to regain
confidence and independence.

The service aims to:
• Reduce the risk of re-admission to hospital
• Reduce social isolation through signposting to longer term support

• Reduce pressure on the hospital
Fiona Pearson is the Service Manager for Independent Living Services in Dorset.
She said: “I love my job, the services that we run in Dorset really do make a
difference. This gives us all a great sense of achievement every day.”

The Support at Home team visit around 35 people a month. Volunteer assistance
includes supporting people with their shopping, signposting to other organisations
within the community, providing welfare checks and taking people to health
appointments.
“Sometimes the support can be taking the time to chat and listen over a cup of
tea during a visit. Something so simple can make such a big difference” continued
Fiona.
Eighty-four year old Sylvia Downing recently used the service after a fall left her
with a badly fractured hip. “It’s very good,” said Sylvia. “You don’t realise how
much support is out there for you. The British Red Cross visited me and helped me
with shopping. You know there’s someone at the end of the phone, if you need

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