A new volunteering project to help patients in Bridgnorth has been launched by Zoe Clarke, the community and care coordinator at Bridgnorth Medical Practice. The service, called Compassionate Communities, aims to help patients and their families with problems which may affect their health and wellbeing by sourcing, signposting and supporting people facing difficulties.
“With our ageing population combined with a lack of resources and funding, it is becoming increasingly difficult to help those in need,” said Zoe. “We have three amazing ladies who volunteer – mainly befriending but also helping out with shopping, collecting prescriptions, accompanying to a club and sorting paperwork. It has had an extremely positive effect and there is a long list of people who would benefit from the service. As ever, there are not enough volunteers to go round, so it would be good to hear from anyone who could volunteer an hour or so a week – it’s really rewarding.”
The volunteers, Pat MacKay, Jesi Matthews and Sarah Robinson, are pictured with Zoe Clarke and patient Doug McGill, who said, “I can’t speak highly enough of the Compassionate Communities project. I do get lonely after losing my wife last year. I look forward to the visits; it is a brilliant service, just wonderful.”
If you feel you could help with this much-needed resource, call Zoe on 01746 767121.