THE Red Cross in Wiltshire is looking for caring, sociable individuals to help people settle back into their homes after a stay in hospital.

The Home From Hospital service provides short-term help to people in their own homes, which can enable them to be discharged from hospital sooner and prevent people being admitted to hospital for social rather than medical reasons.

Barbara Fenn, who has been a volunteer with the service for eight years and was also a runner-up in the Advertiser-backed Swindon's Community Champion Awards, said: "Being a Home From Hospital volunteer I get to meet so many people of all walks of life and hear so many wonderful stories.

"I feel really lucky knowing that contributing a couple of hours of my time makes a real difference to somebody else that I can make someone's life that little bit easier."

Volunteers may help with shopping, collecting pensions and prescriptions, preparing a meal or other essential household tasks.

Very often the person just needs someone to pop in and check on them and have a chat over a cup of tea.

All volunteers receive full training, all their expenses reimbursed and are supported by the service co-ordinator.

For more information call Home From Hospital co-ordinator Janet Cass on 01793 646376.