Published Friday 26 February 2016 at 10:41
A new service which helps friends, families and volunteers support frail, ill or newly discharged patients is being trialled in Blackburn with Darwen.
Residents in the borough can use the service, called Rally Round, for free.
It is a simple idea. A co-ordinator, who is usually the main carer for the person being rallied around, invites family, friends and volunteers into a private support network where jobs are listed.
Everyone in a support network can see what jobs are waiting for volunteers, what jobs they and others have already volunteered to do, and jobs that have been completed.
Healthier Lancashire is funding five projects across Lancashire to see whether the solution works for patients, carers and friends.
One of the pilot areas is Blackburn with Darwen.
Declan Hadley, Digital Health lead for Lancashire, said: “I think Rally Round could be a huge benefit for patients, their families and the wider community. We are testing at the moment in several areas across Lancashire. Rally Round is a tool which has potential to help people who have recently come out of hospital as well as having benefits for the community in that it can help bring people together but we need to see it in action with people using it. So I would urge people to take a look at it and try it out.”
Steve Tingle, Director of Adult Commissioning and Personalisation, said: “It’s a very interesting service, one which could be of a great benefit to people. I am looking forward to see how it develops.”
Find out more by visiting www.rallyroundme.com/blackburn and watching the short introductory film and to sign up for the service.