​Stockport British Gas volunteers lift stroke survivors’ spirits

More than 20 volunteers from the British Gas offices in Stockport have been making weekly phone calls to stroke survivors to keep their spirits up during the coronavirus lockdown.

When the Stroke Association launched it’s ‘Here for You’ volunteering scheme, 22 staff at the energy company’s Planning and Dispatch Centre of Excellence in Newbridge Lane leapt at the chance to be involved.

In fact, their enthusiasm has been so great that Stockport has provided the highest number of volunteers in the country.

The charity says chatting about anything from sport to what’s on TV has been invaluable in helping stroke survivors cope with their isolation.

One in five people with long-term conditions including stroke have not left the house since mid-March⁽ⁱ⁾ and over half (58%) of clinically extremely vulnerable people are continuing to shield even as lockdown eases⁽ⁱⁱ⁾.

Volunteers like Darren McNeil, a British Gas dispatcher, provide stroke survivors with a friendly check in and offer reassurance at a time when they are feeling very isolated.

Darren, whose job involves making appointments for engineers to visit customers, has been supporting a stroke survivor living in London.

“I volunteered for the Stroke Association’s Here for You scheme because I thought it would be nice to give something back to the community, especially for people who have been through isolation during the lockdown,” said Darren.

“We talk once a week. It tends to be on a Tuesday lunchtime. The calls can last anything from 30 minutes to an hour and we discuss absolutely everything from political issues to things that have been on the telly.

“I get an awful lot out of these conversations and really look forward to speaking to him every week, hearing about his life and finding out how he’s been getting on.

“I’ve really enjoyed the phone calls. We’ve built up quite a friendship and we get on like a house on fire. It’s definitely inspired me to undertake more of these calls to vulnerable people.”

The person Darren has been talking to, who asked not to be named, said: “Though it’s good to have time to reflect after my stroke, the peace and quiet can be scary. The Here for You service connects me to another human being and the support I have received from Darren has been excellent.

“The conversations and positive energy he brings is helping me during my stroke recovery, especially during a time when the world is affected by COVID-19.

“We talk about sport and striving to be the best we can be. We have respect for each other and this leads to open conversations that have meant I feel connected again.

“It’s really special what each and every volunteer is doing. It’s a Godsend.”

Bridget Bergin, Executive Director of Stroke Support Services at the Stroke Association said: “Maintaining good mental health and emotional wellbeing is vital to recovery after a stroke and we’re incredibly grateful to the British Gas volunteers for giving their support. Stroke survivors have told us they really look forward to the weekly calls from such caring, friendly people.”

Matt Baker, Senior Consumer Vulnerability Manager at British Gas, said: “We are really pleased to be supporting Stroke Association and would encourage other companies to do the same. It was very easy to set up and we found many of our staff were keen to volunteer and make a difference to people’s lives in these challenging times.”

The Stroke Association is now appealing for more volunteers to step forward. Although lockdown has lifted for most people, many stroke survivors are still unable or too anxious to leave home.

“Demand is huge and we urgently need more volunteers,” said Bridget.

“You don’t need to know about stroke, you just need to be able to have a friendly conversation on the phone with someone who may be feeling lonely, isolated, or simply in need of a chat.”

Training will be given and the only commitment is to make one phone call a week for 12 weeks.

To sign up to Here For You if you’re feeling lonely, isolated and in need of a chat, or to volunteer visit the Stroke Association website: https://www.stroke.org.uk/finding-support/here-for-you or the Stroke Helpline: 0303 3033 100