Coping at home after a spell in hospital can often be hard, but life has been made easier for Hertsmere residents thanks to a scheme run by the Red Cross and Hertfordshire County Council.

For three years, Home from Hospital has helped patients adjust to home life after being discharged.

According to Maggie Booth, area development manager for the Red Cross, 137 people from the borough have received free support over the past 12 months.

“They’re mainly elderly people who may not necessarily need a care package or may not be eligible for a care package, but they’re anxious about coping at home once they’ve been discharged from hospital,”

she said. “It’s about overseeing their rehabilitation until they’re feeling back on their feet again.”

Whereas patients who require ongoing treatment are offered care tailored by specific needs, this scheme caters for those who do not have particular medical requirements, but require a helping hand to settle back into living in their own home.

The team of seven volunteers offers assistance for two to three hours a week for six weeks following a patient’s homecoming. This can include anything from shopping and collecting prescriptions to simply providing companionship.

Jack Lewis, 94, of Maydwell Lodge, Borehamwood, accessed the service for five weeks after his discharge from Barnet Hospital three months ago.

Mr Lewis had previously been very active but was unsure about his ability to cope at home following his spell in hospital.

“They were marvellous, there’s no doubt about it,” he said. “They helped me in every way possible.

“Whatever I’ve asked them, they’ve helped me with. When they first came, they helped me with my shopping and everything else. I just couldn’t have been treated better.”

Assistant co-ordinator at the Red Cross, Liz Roche, who visited Mr Lewis when he returned home, believes the service helped him regain his independence.

“His confidence has definitely gone up. He’s really back to full strength,” she said. “It’s a great treat to come and see him so well.

“That’s what my work is all about — confidence-building and keeping people independent.”

David Kummel, 50, of Dales Road, Borehamwood, is a housing support officer for people with mental health issues. He has been a volunteer since December 2007 when he saw an advertisement in the Borehamwood & Elstree Times looking for more assistance.

“I’d thought of volunteering for many years but you just never get around to it,” he said. “It was something I thought sounded really good and I gave them a call.”

Mr Kummel sais he would recommend becoming a volunteer for the scheme to: “Anybody who’s got an hour or two to spare, who wants to put something back into the community and thinks they’d like to help.”

Mrs Booth added: “It offers time, which is often something that social services, and a lot of people, don’t have these days. Someone will give you time, they’ll listen and they’ll offer support.”

m Home from Hospital is looking for more volunteers. If you would like to get involved, contact Maggie Booth on 07711 085164.