Supporting Safe, Compassionate Hospital Discharge in Inverclyde
Leaving hospital should mark the start of recovery, but for many people in Inverclyde it can be a frightening and isolating experience. Individuals who live alone, particularly older people or those with limited support networks, are often discharged with no one to collect them, welcome them home, or help them settle safely. This lack of support can increase anxiety, delay recovery, and in some cases contribute to avoidable readmissions.
No One Goes Home Alone is a volunteer-led initiative designed to address this gap in support and hope that less patients are left to face the journey home alone.
What the Project Will Do
Working in close partnership with NHS hospital discharge teams, Inverclyde Health and Social Care Partnership, trained volunteers will:
* Collect patients from hospital on the day of discharge
* Provide safe, friendly transport home
* Spend time helping individuals settle back into their home environment
Support may include practical and reassuring tasks such as:
* Making a hot drink or light refreshment
* Making the bed or helping someone get comfortably settled
* A general clean and tidy
* Providing a “back home” box
* Offering conversation, reassurance, and a calm presence
* Following up: phone call next day and in person visit the following week.
These small but meaningful acts help people feel safe, cared for, and less alone at a vulnerable time.
How the Service Will Operate
* Volunteers will be fully trained in communication, safeguarding, and basicemergency procedures
* Volunteers will always work in pairs
* Any concerns identified (e.g. lack of food, health or wellbeing worries) will be reported promptly and appropriately to relevant services
The service is designed to be flexible, responsive, and person-centred.
Our Vision
No One Goes Home Alone is about dignity, safety, and compassion. It ensures that fewer people being discharged from hospital within Inverclyde feels isolated at a critical moment in their life. By harnessing the goodwill of local volunteers and working in partnership with health and community services, this initiative transforms hospital discharge from a moment of fear into one of care and connection – one journey home at a time.
