September Newsletter
Hard to believe that autumn is upon us but, after the summer holidays, HEART is gearing up for another busy period ahead, making a difference for people in need in our town.
Lots of you have been doing so much to help get people vaccinated – and it’s making waves. Rates are climbing again in Hastings and St.Leonards - so there’s still lots more to do and ways you can help (see below)…..
HEART’s been working hard with our partners to tackle some of the biggest problems in the town, particularly our community’s poor health and wellbeing record.
We’ll shortly be launching our Home Connect service to work with people in need to get them the help they’re entitled to – and much more. Watch this space for news next month PLUS details of how you can get involved.
Be a HEART Road Runner
Many people still struggle to get their vaccination and hospital appointments. Want to make a difference? Why not become a HEART Road Runner? If you’ve had your jabs, hold a clean licence and have a car, we’re always needing more people to help. Just click here and let us know. And of course, we’ll pay your petrol.
HEART is about to start our most important work with the NHS yet: researching why people haven’t yet had their jabs. With some parts of the town still at low levels for vaccinations it’s important to know why. If you’d like to help with some calls, just click here and we’ll get right back to you.
How do you prune an Indian Bean Tree?
HEART’s working with the Conquest Hospital to design and landscape one of their most important courtyards – for patients about to start their journey home. In the centre is a beautiful Catalpa Bignoniodes – an Indian Bean Tree. But it’s got too big. Know how to prune one? Fantastic. And even if you don’t, maybe you’d like to be part of the team to help landscape the courtyard over the winter months? Just let us know here.
David Easterby - Volunteer Co-Ordinator
I’m a retired analytical chemist having spent most of my career running an analytical facility in the coatings industry. Although I was a manager for much of my career, I continued working in the laboratory when the need arose. Now I have plenty of free time I enjoy days with grandchildren, walking our dog, gardening, reading and photography.
Having had a good career and raised a family I felt it would be good to spend some time supporting others in need. I’m naturally shy and reserved so putting myself forward to interact with complete strangers was going to be a challenge, however, much to the surprise of both myself and my wife it seems to be going OK! So far so good!
I applied for most volunteer roles at HEART but after an initial chat I was asked to train as a Volunteer Co-ordinator. Aswell as organising volunteers to support clients’ requests for assistance, I have also delivered leaflets, collected and delivered prescriptions, helped at a vaccination walk in clinics, ferried clients to doctor's appointments and to vaccination centres.
I enjoy all of it! So far, all the clients have been really appreciative and our volunteers’ willingness to help has been great.
I have found myself surprisingly able to empathise with clients from enormously different backgrounds, and I get the satisfaction of knowing that even the little things we do to help out actually make a big difference to people’s lives.
The very first day I was manning the jobs board there was a request for multiple aspects of support; shopping, company, collecting prescriptions helping with light cleaning etc. Pretty much the first volunteer I spoke to was not only available but very keen to help and we rapidly started making grand plans as to all the different support activities that could be supplied. Then, in a moment of enlightenment we both remembered “lockdown”, had a laugh, and agreed for the moment it would have to start with phone support!
What advice would you give to someone considering getting involved with volunteering for HEART?
Just do it!! All the people working for HEART are friendly, accommodating and easy to get along with.