A new Readycall Macmillan befriending service in the Northern Dales is looking for volunteers to help support people living in their local community who are lonely, isolated and in need of a helping hand.
Readycall Macmillan, run by Voluntary and Community Services Peaks and Dales, is already well established in the Southern Dales and has recently received funding from Macmillan Cancer Support to extend into the North. Support is given to people aged 60 and over, living in the Derbyshire Dales, who are, or have been affected by cancer or other life limiting conditions, and those who care for them. Volunteers offer befriending, shopping, practical help and subsidised transport for cancer related medical appointments.
Readycall volunteers support people like Helen. Helen, who lives alone, has paralysis and constant pain in her arm as a consequence of radiotherapy treatment in the 1980’s. She had to stop driving and is unable to lift and carry heavy items, so shopping was becoming increasingly difficult. Helen self-referred to our service and with the help of Readycall Macmillan volunteers goes on a weekly shopping trip. Helen said “The support I get helps me to remain at home, it would be really difficult to manage without it. Shopping turns into a really nice social event for me and stops the feeling of isolation. All the volunteers I’ve met are so friendly and helpful.”
Last year Readycall Macmillan volunteers in the Southern Dales carried out 386 shopping trips, 1246 befriending sessions and drove over 5700 miles taking patients to cancer related appointments!
If you would like to make a difference, please do get in touch. Contact Sam Tock, the Readycall Macmillan Coordinator for the Northern Dales in Bakewell on 01629 693693 or email sam@vcspd.org.