New Parent Helpline – Junior Ostomy Support Helpline

10 October, 2014

New Parent Helpline – Junior Ostomy Support Helpline (JOSH)

A new parent helpline called JOSH is being launched this autumn at the Association of Stoma Care Nurses (ASCN) conference in Harrogate.

This project has been well received by members of ASCN and paediatric stoma care nurses (PSCN), a former Trustee of Breakaway and a young ileostomate who highlighted how vital it is to have professionally trained people to provide support. This helpline is available for parents or carers of children with a bowel or bladder diversion/dysfunction and the volunteers will be offering practical peer support. A select group of parents/carers have been trained at our offices and they are ready to take calls. Niamh Geoghegan, a PSCN, is on the JOSH committee, along with Helen Bracey and Wendy Hetherington, and they have led the training course.

This dedicated team of volunteers has a wide range of experience surrounding children’s continence issues and they will be helping other families in similar situations. This is not a medical advice service and anyone with medical queries will be directed back to their health professional.

This service will operate through the CA’s 24 hour helpline and our operators will pass on referrals by matching them to one of the JOSH parents. It will be vital lifeline to carers when they are at their most vulnerable and will redirect callers to Breakaway or Diversions where appropriate.

Training of additional volunteers will be ongoing so if you are a parent or carer of a child in a similar situation and would like to be considered for this role, please contact us.