Project 'changing face of meal times'
AN EXCITING new project at Torbay Hospital may well, they tell us, 'change the face of mealtimes in hospitals across the UK for older patients'.
Teams of volunteers are encouraging older people to eat well as part of a radical nutrition project, one that we talked about with Dr Irene McClelland, who runs the project, on Riviera FM's Community Hour every Wednesday at 11am.
Research at Southampton University Hospital has investigated the effects of mealtime assistance in terms of increasing the nutritional intake of assisted eating, while an Australian pilot study by the splendidly named University of Wollongong showed a small volunteer scheme led to an increase in protein intake in elderly and long-term patients — a crucial finding as protein is often a proxy for other nutrients such as vitamin and minerals. Meal time companions receive specific training from the catering, nursing, speech and language therapy, and dietetics teams to help them with communication skills and nutritional knowledge, so those with a passion for helping others will be able to take up a full and active role with direct patient interaction — while learning skills they can make use of elsewhere in of life.
Torbay's project, run by Dr Irene McClelland, now needs still more volunteers, so if you would like to get involved, call the Project Lead on 07584 159456 or email Irene.mcclelland@nhs.net
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For this and for other volunteering opportunities across the Bay, you can also, of course, call us at volinfo@vvatorbay.org.uk or on o1803 212638.
VOLUNTEERING for Devon Insight is another way you can make a really valuable contribution to improving the quality of life for people in our community, helping those with little or no sight.
A befriending home visitors' organisation, they focus on helping those who have difficulties with tasks that the rest of us take in our stride — tasks as simple as reading a letter or a newspaper, making a cup of coffee, taking the dog for a walk, or meeting an appointment. You can make that difference, too, simply by calling in and having a chat. Home-visiting the visually impaired can make a huge difference to that person's life, giving them 'the chance to make choices,' say Devon Insight, 'and to fulfil their potential'. If you feel you'd like to take up this opportunity to be a blind or partially sighted person's eyes for as little as an hour a week, email Cherie Crook cherie@devoninsight.org.uk
SUE Cousins, chairman, and the trustees of the Windmill Community Centre have been awarded the 'Reaching Community' grant from the Big Lottery fund of £245,865 that will be used over the next five years to hugely benefit this great centre and its local community. This grant money will enable The Windmill to start the new Family Learning Programme to provide vulnerable families with opportunities to gain the skills and knowledge needed to improve family wellbeing and to enable family members to realise their full potential.
This new programme will complement all the good work that is already taking place at The Windmill, where they have recently begun a new young mums' group, providing support on a wide range of issues, from healthy eating to parenting and budgeting. They also hold a Step-up-Group for young people to receive one-to-one support by volunteers, have re-started the youth group on Friday evenings for young people aged from 11, and continue to hold bingo evenings, a lunch club and a breakfast club, and the delightfully named 'Twinkle Stars Mums and Tots'.
If you're interested in volunteering, by the way, or would like information, call Sue Cousins on 01803 314876 or 07900 678278.
WE'VE reported before on the Torbay Prostate Support Society's life-saving impact in the Bay and on its chairman Peter Hoskins winning a prestigious Queen's Award for Voluntary Service. Well, here's a chance to lend them your support and to enjoy some wonderful music: a concert organised by Brixham Orpheus Male Voice Choir will take place on Saturday, November 17, at 7.30pm at St Peter's Church in Preston — and, at just £6 per ticket, everyone's welcome. TPSA's helpline number, by the way, is 01803 301042.
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