IT IS volunteers that support people during their vulnerable first days back home after a hospital stay.
But the Hull Churches Home From Hospital Service helpers are so good at what they do, they often move on to paid roles, leaving the charity short.
Now staff say volunteer numbers are "becoming a concern" and warned the same level of service cannot continue unless numbers increase.
Volunteer trainer Christine Sutcliffe is appealing for more people to come forward to support the charity's work, which also includes giving carers a break.
She said: "Unfortunately, we train people so well, often it is inevitable that they move on and find employment.
"So we constantly need a bank of volunteers that we can call on.
"Ideally, we will want to be in a situation where there will be too many.
"Often people work with us for about six months, but then their situation changes and they cannot continue."
The charity, which is based in Princes Avenue, has four support projects.
The Adult Service helps people post hospital discharge for up to eight weeks.
The Carers' Support Service offers relief to people who help someone with life-limiting ailments.
The Children And Families Service helps young parents with illnesses and the fourth service is Tele Health which sees volunteers helping patients use heart equipment installed at their homes.
The charity helps around 1,000 people annually.
In exchange for their services, volunteers say they get a lot of enjoyment out of helping people.
Christine said: "Volunteers find it very rewarding.
"One of our clients was feeling very low when she came out of hospital and the person who went round to help her totally turned her life around.
"Volunteers know they have done something useful and like working in the local community.
"One client wrote to us and said, 'I can't praise this person enough, she was worth her weight in gold'."
St Peter's lay minister Gemma Turner, 32, is also helping the charity recruit new people.
The mother-of-two will be devoting a day each week to touring churches to talk about the work of the volunteers.
Gemma, who is the lay minister in Anlaby, has been volunteering for the Hull Churches Home From Hospital Service for ten years.
She said: "I can't wait to get out to the churches to give talks and presentations about the charity."
For details about becoming a volunteer, call 01482 475265 or e-mail carerssupport@hchfh.org.uk
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