Sandwell College staff from Programmes for the Unemployed are doing extraordinary things for the NHS in their spare time!
Jane Duffy, Care Lecturer, is one of the NHS ‘Check In and Chat’ volunteer responders. She offers telephone support to people who are isolating and have little or no contact with others. The aim of the service is to ensure the person’s wellbeing is taken into consideration and possibly identify any practical support they may require. Jane says: “I felt this was the right volunteering for me to undertake as my volunteer role with the bereaved for Compton Care Wolverhampton has been suspended at present.”
Naheed Gultasib, Functional Skills Lecturer, has been working with a group called Walsall Outreach for a number of years, who normally work with the homeless and vulnerable, providing them with food and essentials. Since the lockdown the volunteer group has extended its service to anyone in need especially the elderly and most vulnerable, in response to the pandemic. On a daily basis Naheed delivers free food and care packages across Walsall and Sandwell – even fish and chip suppers on Friday nights! She has delivered to Sandwell College students and their families who are in need and have been referred by staff, and the volunteer service has also provided NHS staff at Walsall Manor Hospital with refreshments and care packages. Naheed has been interviewed on BBC Radio WM and the service’s work was also highlighted on Midlands Today. For the past five weeks Naheed has been joined by Foundation Learning lecturer Dan Llewellyn. The picture above shows them out on the road!
Listen to Naheed’s BBC WM Radio interview (1.46 – 1.48)
