A range of new initiatives to help older people are being developed by Royal Voluntary Service in partnership with NHS Grampian and Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care partnership.
Three key models of volunteer support have been launched to tackle the growing problem of social isolation and enable people to reconnect with communities, especially after a stay in hospital in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray.
Supporting Your Recovery will involve trained volunteers on hospital wards help older people return home stronger and more quickly after a hospital stay.
Supporting You at Home will match volunteers with people, who have been identified as lonely or isolated, and who might benefit from practical help in reconnecting with their communities.
And Supporting Healthy and Happy Lives will offer individuals – principally those living with low to moderate dementia – to get together socially in a group setting and enjoy time together, with a focus on nutrition, hydration and exercise to improve the quality of life through one-to-one support and social activities.
The measures are in response to recent studies which have shown that social isolation is an increasing problem throughout Scotland.
Josephine Mill, of Royal Voluntary Service, said: “This is an exciting development across Aberdeen City and Shire to support older people who would benefit from practical help, enabling them to have more confidence and independence.
“Our approach to wellbeing is informal and person-centred and is a positive response chiming with what older people tell us they want.
“That is to have a purpose, a sense of wellbeing, living as well as possible, and being physically active and emotionally resilient.”
Royal Voluntary Service (previously known as WRVS) celebrates its 80th Anniversary this year and operate in the north-east from bases at the ARI, Inverurie and Elgin.
There are also plans to create further centres in Lossiemouth and Keith.
