A volunteer community rehabilitation service has almost tripled the functional fitness and health of care home residents and patients in the community who are at risk of deconditioning or falls, according to a new Insight and Impact report.

The year-long pilot, funded by Kingston Hospital Charity through their Innovation Fund, is an extension of an established volunteer community exercise programme run by Kingston Hospital’s Volunteer service – which supports patients who are at risk of falls following hospital discharge.  

The extended pilot service includes patients referred by their GPs and care home residents in Kingston and Richmond.

Trained volunteers visit the patients or residents in their homes for a period of eight weeks to facilitate one to one or group rehabilitation exercise classes. 

Laura Greene, Head of Volunteering and Community Partnerships, said: “We’re delighted with these fantastic results and are looking forward to expanding the pilot to improve the quality of life for more patients and care home residents across Kingston and Richmond.”

The Helpforce report which includes outcomes and improvements for all the stakeholder groups involved, highlights:   

  • Patient confidence to perform acts of daily living including washing and dressing almost tripled
  • Patient confidence to cope at home increased by almost a third
  • Patient health thermometer scores out of 100 more than doubled against the base line average score
  • 100% of patient’s physical fitness test measures improved, indicating improved strength, better functional mobility and increased confidence to mobilise independently  
  • 93% care home staff agreed volunteers improved quality of care

Bianca Larch, Community and Outreach Manager at Kingston Hospital’s Volunteering service said: “Kingston Hospital Charity’s investment has been fundamental in securing evidence of the benefits of well designed, impactful volunteering.  This has unlocked additional funding to continue the service alongside other Community & Outreach Volunteering Service programmes.  

“From September the service aims to increase its reach and accessibility to additional GPs across Kingston and Richmond.”

Work to reduce patient deconditioning is one our joint Quality Priorities for 2023-2025.