Rob has cancer and was struggling emotionally, drinking heavily and he was cold and uncomfortable at home.  Rob couldn’t afford to have the heating on, his toilet and bath were blocked, which he wasn’t well enough and couldn’t afford to get this fixed.  His brother, who also has cancer, usually lived in the same home moved in with another family member.

Our Staying Well Worker supported Rob to access Noah’s Ark, who covered the cost of a plumber to fix the toilet and the bath, they also gave him a bed, mattress, carpet and a place on a budgeting course.

The Staying Well Worker supported Rob to access Newground Saving Together, who were able to offer him tips and equipment to insulate his home. Rob is feeling warmer and more comfortable at home, he is able to relax and recuperate, his brother has even moved back home too.

Since receiving support from Staying Well Rob has also received brilliant news, he is cancer free.  He has made some really positive life choices and stopped drinking alcohol and he’s started getting out more and walk to places instead of getting the bus, his mood has lifted.

Ruth referred herself to the Staying Well service from a flyer she had picked up. Ruth’s husband had died quite suddenly in September 2024 and she had been feeling very low in mood, isolated and had episodes of panic throughout the following winter. Ruth’s daughter lives over an hour away and she works three jobs so she does not have much time to support her mum socially.

Ruth explained she has no routine since her husband died as she had been caring for him and had not had any social life outside what they experienced as a couple. She is still able to drive but this may change in the future due to diminishing eyesight.

Ruth and the Staying Well worker discussed what kinds of things she would like to do and decided that activities where she could do gentle activity and chat and socialise would be good and also to try and attend groups which make use of the access bus or are nearby so that should she stop driving she can still attend.

While the Staying Well worker was researching activities and waiting for groups to come around, Ruth was referred to the Silverline phone service to access in times she felt panicky or extreme loneliness. She made use of this daily until we started accessing some activities. She was also signposted her to Age UK to find a reputable handyman for some jobs she needed done in her home.

Ruth was initially accompanied to Cromwell Bottom group where she delighted in a gentle walk and feeding the ducks, it was clear she was so glad to be back out doing something but has continued to access this independently since.

The week after the Staying Well worker accompanied Ruth to the Chit Chat group in Elland, she really enjoyed this and engaged in the activities with enthusiasm, she also met a gentleman who was going through bereavement as well and she enjoyed a therapeutic conversation. These accompanied activities had given Ruth the confidence to try some activities herself. She has also tried a local Tai Chi group at St. Thomas’s Church in Greetland and she has been confidently attending this as well as the Chair Aerobics class at Stainland Library. Ruth has also attended the Focus 4 Hope lunch meal and Elland craft group herself.

Ruth is still working with her Staying Well worker as she is still discovering new groups at a pace, she feels comfortable with. Together they are hoping to go to the Curious Motion Welland Walk and possibly the Home Instead Companionship Cafe. Ruth is much brighter in her mood and outlook; she is forming new friendships, and she feels much more empowered to motivate herself and give things a try.