Volunteers give help to 200 families

A team of dedicated volunteers working in Staffordshire have helped more than 200 families gain access to equipment, treatment, therapies and support, as well as gaining work experience with sick and disabled children.

Caudwell Children says it has seen a sharp rise in parents receiving funding for vital equipment and services in the county thanks to family support service, Health Detectives, launched by the charity last year.

The Health Detectives programme allows individuals with an interest in health and social care to gain first hand experience and training of working with families through face-to-face visits, telephone and email support. They have also visited schools, children's centres, occupational therapists and health events to promote the work of the charity and alert families to help that is available.

In the last six months, 218 families were supported by a member of the team.

With help from the scheme, families in Staffordshire have received a total of £66,135 in support from Caudwell Children alone for 2008 to date.

Funded by the Department of Health Volunteering Opportunities Fund, the Health Detectives have been trained at locations across Staffordshire and the charity headquarters in Stoke and have been carrying out work in the community over the last year.

Health detective Laura Farnell said: "I wanted to do something worthwhile in my spare time and I'm studying for my diploma of higher education in children's nursing at Keele University.

"Being part of the Health Detective team has enabled me to transfer my skills to volunteer at the charity and I am hoping to work with children in my future career."

Following the success of the scheme, the charity, which was founded by Eccleshall-based entrepreneur John Caudwell, now plans to roll out the initiative nationally. Trudi Beswick, chief executive officer for Caudwell Children said: "The impact of the service in the Staffordshire area has been a fantastic success with more families gaining access to help they desperately need.

"It ultimately leads to a better quality of life for the child. However there are still families who need help in the region."

The charity is now appealing for volunteers across the UK, and particularly in South Staffordshire, to take part in the programme.

Anyone interested or wishing to find out more can call 01782 600443 or email volunteering@caudwellchildren.com.