I was so impressed Photos on opposite page: © Layton Thompson/BRC, © Patrick Harrison, © Carla Dow/BRC. Photo on this page: ©Carla Dow/BRC. by the service, I called to volunteer to give something back Bill, 69, who was helped by care in the home volunteers after his heart attack. Health and social care We help thousands of people across the UK keep their independence by providing short-term support after a hospital stay – or by preventing admission in the first place. Beryl, 87, spent a Our services include care in the home, medical equipment, month in hospital after a transport and therapeutic care. fall while walking home from the shops. Settling back into her normal routine was a challenge, as her husband also had limited mobility and she had Key facts no relatives nearby who could provide support. > Our volunteers and staff helped > 34,000 vulnerable people used Red Cross volunteer Angela visited Beryl at least twice a 397,000 people in the UK in 2011 our transport service in 2011 to week for the next month, to help her regain her confidence through our health and social care reach medical appointments or and mobility. She helped Beryl start walking again and services. run errands. helped around the house by running errands. Beryl said: “Without the Red Cross, I don’t know what I > We loaned 75,000 wheelchairs would have done. I had a lot of confidence at the end of the to people to help them stay four weeks. When Angela finished her visits, I continued independent in 2011. going out and about by myself.” redcross.org.uk/uksocialcare