Case Studies: stories from volunteers of HHfRD and people who have benefited

CASE STUDY 1 (Service user):

The client was living in a Housing scheme, aged 70, her husband was older and unable to act as carer so she has a carer, but needed more help  to live independently and improve her housebound life which was causing social disadvantage for her. HHfRD decided to help her to do her best to improve her life.

This lady was 70 years old, Indian lady living in Upton Park. She was twice operated on for cancer and suffered many illness. Her ability to walk was severely restricted, she could only move indoors with walking frame, she couldn’t speak English and was living with her husband. She needed to help her to fill her forms and read administrative letters and guidance. Our volunteers visited by home visit appointments and are still helping her now.

She wrote: I am very thankful for the volunteer advisor from the Helping Hands for Refugees and Disabled, occasionally to help with administrative matters, filling forms, advised, providing assisted information and top up my welfare benefits and improve the quality of my life, and I am very grateful to their help.

God Bless Them. "SBP" 

CASE STUDY 2 (Volunteer):

I am currently volunteering with HELPING HANDS FOR REFUGEES & DISABLED as a volunteer Befriender, Adviser and in Leadership matters. I am a Welfare Work student. I was very much inspired by the dedicated work carried out by the Chair (Sri) and his volunteers in helping the vulnerable, socially isolated and disadvantaged elderly, disabled and people with short and long term illness. I have visited along with my volunteer manager to learn how to make risk assessments, understand needs, make a list of needs and then with the client's agreement provide the requested support, welfare and an excellent, adequate and appropriate service.

This project work helped my Multi-Agency voluntary sector work with socially disadvantaged people affected by disability, illness, homelessness, lone parents, domestic violence etc. This organisation has limited funds, but have a great number of dedicated leadership and volunteers. I wish to remain as a volunteer to perform and improve my advice, advocacy, welfare-management, identify the needs of clients and  use my interpersonal skills and service this valuable organisation. These small community organisations are really helping people from their limited money and promote good volunteering practice. I endorse the excellent work placement opportunity available here: they promote equality and diversity. I am very thankful to the Chair Sri-K  Sangarappillai for his Induction, Training for Volunteers in different subjects, supervision, monitoring, reporting, volunteer management and good practice of volunteer management . He has given us the maximum support despite his severe disability which affects his daily life tasks.

Chandani Gupta Surendra, MBA,CBSE