A new Carer Hub is set to open at the Royal United Hospital in Bath next week, and people across the community are being sought to help staff it.
The hub is the result of a unique partnership between B&NES Carers’ Centre, Carer Support Wiltshire, the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust and The Friends of the RUH.
It is the first of its kind in the South West, providing information and advice to the hundreds of carers who pass through the hospital each day – either visiting the person they care for or accompanying them to appointments.
Situated in the Atrium at the RUH main entrance, the Carer Hub will initially operate as an unmanned information point when it opens on 9th June.
But, as of its official launch in September, the Carer Hub will be staffed by a team of volunteers who will offer a warm welcome to those seeking information about the local support and services available to them.
This Volunteers’ Week, the hospital are launching our search for volunteers to staff the Carer Hub.
Volunteers will receive full training and will belong to the family of volunteers managed by the hospital’s charity, the Friends of the RUH.
If you have some time to spare and would like to find out more about how you can become involved, come along to the Carer’s Hub at the RUH on Tuesday 9th June, from 2-4pm, to meet staff, carers and other volunteers.
You’ll be able to find out how the Carer Hub will work and ask any questions you might have.
If you are interested in volunteering for the Carer Hub, but are unable to make it on the day, you can contact Janine Woodward-Grant (B&NES Carers’ Centre) on [email protected] or 0800 0388 885, or Jackie Short (Carer Support Wiltshire) on [email protected] or 0800 181 4118.
Becoming a carer for the first time can be a stressful and daunting experience.
Ensuring carers have access to the support and services available to them is vital.
Alex Hurley, a volunteer at B&NES Carers’ Centre, said: “Volunteering is a really powerful, good thing to do.
“Just by giving someone your time and supporting them to find the right information you can see how much it helps.”
