North Cumbria Integrated Care (NCIC) are reaching out for volunteers to help wit its new project that aims to keep patients and families connected.

The ‘Keeping Patients Connected’ project aims to facilitate patients having virtual visits with their families and friends using iPads.

New volunteers have recently been recruited to the project, but NCIC are encouraging more people to apply.

Volunteer coordinator for Keeping Patients Connected, Nicole Cottingham, said: "The project aims to help our patients and their families but also we hope it will help take the pressure off busy ward staff.

"We have two new volunteers who have started on Elm A ward at the Cumberland Infirmary, one volunteer waiting to start on Eden Unit in Penrith and two volunteers waiting to start on Ward 4 at the West Cumberland Hospital."

Keeping Patients Connected volunteer, Sarah Naismith who has been working on Elm A stroke ward at the Cumberland Infirmary said: "Volunteering has been very rewarding and has given me great insight into patients and families of patients who have had strokes.

"It has given me empathy and understanding and I have been told by both staff and patients that my support is greatly appreciated which means so much and confirms why I am doing the job."

An information session for anyone who is considering becoming a volunteer is taking place on Friday 30th April from 11am to 12pm online via zoom.

For joining details please email: info@cumbriacvs.org.uk or call Cumbria CVS on 01768 800350.