Health Captains

Supporting Better Health

Health Captains is a project of Hull CVS that delivers a range of initiatives to support people through their health journey.

Our Aims:

  • Help relieve the pressure on the NHS through volunteering.
  • Promote better health outcomes in our local area.
  • Prevent hospital admissions.
  • Help reduce loneliness and isolation

Our Volunteers

We have a team of dedicated volunteers, many who have personal experiencing of living with or have cared for someone with a long-term health condition. Our volunteers can volunteer as much or little as they wish to and are able to be flexible with their volunteering. Volunteers can make calls to our clients from their own homes also.

Long Term Health Conditions Buddy service (LTCB Service)

  • Telephone support for adults who are living with a long-term health condition.
  • Launched in March 2024, as of March 2026, we have supported 350 people.
  • Calls are made by our team of dedicated and caring volunteers, many who have lived experience of a long-term condition.
  • Our referrals: we receive referrals from the ‘settling in caller service’ (which sits within the voluntary sector discharge service within Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust). 
LTCB Service: What can we help with?

“I nearly said no at first, but the calls have made my day. Thank you so much. It has made such a difference to my day” (Feedback from one of our clients)

  • As well as providing a listening ear and compassion to those struggling to manage with their health condition, we are also able to signpost and refer onto other services and organisations. We are also able escalate any issues by getting in touch with and working with other organisations and those within the NHS.
  • In the UK, 1.4 million older individuals frequently experience loneliness, an issue that is increasingly acknowledged in today’s society (Age UK, 2023). Those with long-term health conditions are particularly vulnerable to isolation. Talking with our friendly volunteer team can help our clients feel heard and less alone. Our volunteers can also provide information on local social groups and services that may offer support.
  • We contact our clients within 48 hours of receiving a referral. then within 2 and 5 days. Thereafter the calls can be tailored to each individual clients. for example, they may opt to be called weekly or 2 weekly. we offer ongoing support for up to 3 months.
Interested in Volunteering on as a Long Term Health Condition Buddy?

We are looking for those with personal experience of living with long term health conditions and/ or caring for those with long term health conditions. The role involves providing telephone support and a listening ear to those who are struggling to manage long term health conditions and may be feeling lonely or isolated.

  • Make a real difference to those in your local area who are struggling to manage a long-term health condition.
  • Learn new skills and enhance your CV
  • Gain experience in health and social care
  • Volunteer as little as an hour a week and choose your volunteering around your own schedule

For more information and to register your interest:

https://uk.becollective.com/share/opportunities/66aa3d4c48564005d7c69a76

Enquiries

For further information about Health Captains programme, please contact a member of our team on 01482 324474 or via the contact form below:

We’re fully committed to handling personal information you’ve supplied to us in compliance with the latest GDPR laws, and we’ll never share your details.