Landlords launch new volunteer project to help improve health and social care

VOLUNTEERS IN South Yorkshire will soon be able to take part in a new project to improve the quality of health and social care in the region.

South Yorkshire Housing Association (SYHA) is teaming up with two other social landlords to launch Over 2 You, a pilot scheme which will run in six local authority areas across the north of England.

SYHA will deliver the service in Barnsley, Rotherham and Sheffield. Citizen inspectors will be trained to raise awareness of patient rights and help people to advocate on behalf of family or friends if they receive unsatisfactory service.

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They will also evaluate health services in their area through mystery shopper-style inspections.

Volunteers will be trained and mentored by independent healthcare professionals.

If the pilot is successful, Over 2 You could be expanded to around 100 housing associations serving more than two million customers across the country.

Ruby Smith, head of personalisation at SYHA, said: “Over 2 You is a prime example of how housing providers can play a key role in solving the challenges currently facing the health and social care system.”

The three-year project is funded by a grant of £500,000 from the Department of Health.