Therapeutic care
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The therapeutic care service helps individuals in stressful situations and times of personal crisis by promoting a sense of well-being and relaxation through gentle massage. The therapy of hand, neck and shoulder massage, given through clothing, can also assist in pain and stress relief.
How do we help people?
Anyone can benefit from therapeutic massage: a patient waiting for treatment or recovering from an illness, a carer or someone who is just feeling tense. The service aims to:
- assist relaxation
- reduce stress and pain
- promote a sense of well-being
- offer the chance to talk to someone trained in listening skills.
What skills and training do our volunteers have?
Our volunteers have good interpersonal skills and an understanding of the differing physical needs of service users. All our volunteers are also receive regular skills refresher training.
How do I get in touch?
The service is offered in hospitals, hospices, GP surgeries, community meeting places or even at home. Referrals usually come from health and other professionals, though people can self refer. For further information, get in touch with your local Red Cross branch office, in the near you section.
Could I volunteer for this service?
Without volunteers, we would never be able to give people the help they need in a crisis. Because we offer so many services across the UK, we depend on people who generously give up their time to help others. Become a therapeutic care volunteer.
True story: “I was so overwhelmed I thought I'd cry!”
Maureen Price – who lives alone and uses two sticks to get around – was having a particularly stressful time at her Gloucester home after recent flooding had left her housebound. That’s until the Red Cross sent round some food and water supplies - and a therapeutic massage volunteer to help put her at ease.
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The pensioner remembered: “It was like a dream. I couldn’t take it in that, after I’d been in such a state all week, someone was just going to come to my door and bring what I needed. This lovely Red Cross lady came round to give me a therapeutic massage."
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“She’d heard that I had been upset by all that’s happened, and so offered to come round. It was brilliant – and it really does relax you. Usually, my shoulders feel quite tight but now, after the treatment, they’re feeling great. I told the lady: ‘You’re going to have to come round here more often!’
“You know, I’ve always heard a lot of stories about the Red Cross and I believe them all now. It’s nice to think that there are people like you around.”
More about the therapeutic care service
Become a therapeutic care volunteer | |
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