Unconditional care in a crisis

A new lease of life for Hetty and Tom

Tom and Hetty Smith are a devoted couple who have taken care of each other all their married lives. So when Hetty had to go into hospital for several weeks, it was a very difficult time for Tom. He found it hard to cope without her and lost his motivation to do even the simplest of things like cooking and eating properly.
The hospital staff knew that when Hetty was discharged from hospital, both she and her husband would need some help at home. So they got in touch with the British Red Cross, who arranged for a volunteer called Margaret to visit regularly. Now Margaret helps with simple jobs around the house, and takes Tom to do the weekly shopping, while Hetty rests and recovers from her illness.
Local celebrity
Jean Laughlin, the Red Cross service co-ordinator, remembers: “Before Margaret appeared on the scene, Tom had to ring local shops and ask them to drop supplies round at the house, because he couldn’t manage the walk himself. But now Margaret drives him to the village shops and walks him round. He’s actually a bit of a local celebrity and everyone loves seeing him out and about.”
Margaret also arranged for the district nurse to obtain a special support mattress for the couple’s bed, after she discovered that Tom was suffering from painful bedsores on his heels and back.
Looking forward
Jean says: “Margaret has been absolutely brilliant. She has a lovely rapport with the couple and they both really look forward to her visits. And because Tom and Hetty are in better spirits, their health has improved too. They are happier, eating well and getting out and about more.”
Hetty is so grateful to Margaret that she has started knitting scarves for the Red Cross week bazaar. And now, with his regular shopping trips, Tom has something better to look forward to than just looking at the four walls of his home and worrying about his wife.
A vital service
Throughout the UK, similar Red Cross home care schemes help thousands more people every year following a short stay in hospital. The support offered by volunteers can smooth the process of settling back into a normal routine and enable people to regain their confidence and independence. Yet like so many of our caring services, this is only possible because of the dedication of volunteers like Margaret and the generosity of supporters like you.
Volunteers give their time freely, but the service still needs funds for training and organising the care. For example, a donation of just £25 today could cover the costs of five visits by a British Red Cross volunteer to someone like Hetty who is recovering from illness.

A gift of just £25 could cover the costs of five visits by a volunteer to someone like Hetty
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