Over a thousand volunteers have signed up to provide friendly phone calls for patients in England who are vulnerable, isolated or lonely, as the NHS Volunteer Responders programme reintroduces its Check in and Chat service.
GPs, pharmacists, and other healthcare workers are being encouraged to request Check in and Chat support for patients who are socially isolated or would benefit from a phone call and a bit of encouragement – with an option to request just a one-off call or a series of calls.
With thousands more volunteers expected to sign up in the coming weeks, this move signals a new phase of the NHS volunteer programme, which was set up at the start of the pandemic to support people who were self-isolating with simple tasks such as shopping, fetching medication and lifts to medical appointments.
Building on the vital role volunteers play in the NHS, in its 75th year, this is the first of a range of volunteer activities that will be introduced to support health and care services and improve patient experience.
Check in and Chat volunteers will provide a listening ear and, where appropriate, help patients explore positive changes they could make to their lives, for example to connect with others, become more physically active or to learn new skills or volunteer, and will signpost to other services and support in the community.
The decision to bring back the service follows insight from GPs and social prescribers that many of their patients weren’t as socially connected as they had been before the pandemic.
A survey of clinicians and health and care professionals who used the Check in and Chat service during the pandemic showed nearly four in five saying they were likely to use it and nearly nine in 10 saying it would meet current patient needs.
Almost three quarters of health professionals who responded to the survey said a refreshed Check in and Chat service would complement existing services.
Chief Nursing Officer for England, Ruth May said: “We are extremely grateful to our incredible volunteers who support the NHS and the British public, including during our greatest time of need in the pandemic.
“It is fantastic that over a thousand volunteers have now signed up again to provide these invaluable calls for patients that are vulnerable, isolated or lonely, and to help our staff in providing the best care possible.
“It is very easy for GPs, nurses, pharmacists, and other healthcare workers to refer patients to the Check in and Chat service through a simple online platform – and we know what a difference a neighbourly phone call can make if you’re feeling isolated or in need of some support.”
Minister for Mental Health and Women’s Health Strategy, Maria Caulfield said: “The UK is a world-leader in tackling loneliness, with the world’s first government strategy and first loneliness Minister.
“Picking up the phone and chatting to a friendly voice can make the world of difference to someone experiencing loneliness, and I applaud those coming forward to volunteer their time for this important cause.
“We have invested an additional £2.3 billion per year into mental wellbeing services by 2024 – giving two million more people the help they need.”