Did You Know…What Happens When You First Get In Touch?
We often get asked how we receive referrals, and how people can get in touch with us to enquire about what we can do to support them. The process is so easy, and in this post we’ll give you a few more details what happens when you first get in touch or get referred to us, so you know what to expect.
Step 1 – Reaching out
We receive referrals through a variety of different ways, including from:
- GPs
- Hospices
- End of life community nurses
- Hospital
- Our website and internet searches
- Word of mouth
If someone is feeling a bit low, in need of a bit of support at home, in hospital or on the end of a telephone, then we can help.
Step 2 – We get in touch
It starts with an initial phone call from Suzanne (our CEO) or Tracy (our Volunteer coordinator), when we talk through the work we do and the ways we could potentially help and support. This first call doesn’t have to be with the cancer patient – we can talk to a friend or relative in this first instance too. We are not there to advise…just listen to their needs and how we could then potentially help them.
We would then arrange a meeting with the patient themselves to a place of their choice. This could be their home, meeting up for a coffee or another public place they’d like to nominate, and we get together on their chosen day.
Step 3 – We visit
Our first meeting is to get a feel for the type of support they need or desire, and it can be just with the patient, or with a friend or family member there too. It is our job to ensure we can help them. We provide so much support, which can include:
- Emotional support
- Accompanying them to a hospital/GP appointment
- Help with benefits
- Allow their carer to go out whilst we sit with the patient
- Pick up prescriptions
- Grab a few light bits of shopping
- Advice/signposting to other services
On that initial visit we also ensure that we fill in all of the relevant paperwork, which includes risk assessments for the patient/family/volunteer along with a referral form and a patient record sheet.
Once we have completed that first assessment, we then think about which one of our amazing volunteers would be a good match and whether they need further services that we offer. We then get in touch with our volunteer to discuss and arrange the first meeting between patient and volunteer.
Step 4 – Our volunteer visits
The next stage is to visit the patient again but with their potential volunteer, ensuring that they feel safe and familiar with their new ‘Pal’.
If this visit goes well, we then hand the patient to the volunteer as their contact, and from there on in our volunteer will visit their patient as often as they require and keep in touch with them.
Our visits are generally for a couple of hours each time, and we support you and your family for as long as you need.
Our Mission
Ever since Suzanne set up Al’s Pals, our aim has been to provide a support service which ensures that no one feels alone going through their cancer. We want to be a support network to the patient, and their family as well, throughout their cancer – regardless of their diagnosis and prognosis, and for as long as we’re needed.
No one should go through this alone, and Al’s Pals are always there to support you.
If you are struggling, or you know someone that is struggling to come to terms with their cancer, then please do start with Step 1 – get in touch with us on 07958 800081