Where to signpost this lady/how else can I help?

[HowCanIPayItForward]

Hello, I'm currently in hospital very unwell. I've met and become friendly with a lovely lady about 20 years my senior (I'm 41) who happens to live around the corner from me.

We've swapped stories, and whilst I'm going through something truly horrendous, I have a fantastic support network, without which I don't know how I'd cope.

But I can't stop thinking about this poor lady. Life has dealt her a dreadful hand (including one particular tragedy that I knew of from the local news) and she's managing on a very low income. I have no reason to doubt any of what shes told me and she hasnt asked for anything. She's articulate, kind and funny, I took a liking to her straight away. But she has no one, and I really believe this is through no fault of her own. We've swapped numbers and hope to meet for the occasional coffee or dog walk once I'm out of here. I also have in mind a couple of local social groups that I will suggest, though I don't know if confidence will be an issue.

The reason that she's in here is due to an extremely painful recurring injury. She said it's the 8th time this year and she's in hospital for a day or 2 each time. She's been told that she's eligible for an operation that should fix the problem once and for all, but she refuses as it's an 8 week recovery and she has no one to care for her or her dog.

I really want to urge her to try to get the surgery so I'm wondering if anyone knows of anywhere I can signpost her to get free of charge post-op home/personal care and also help with the dog (I don't know whether a daily walk/feeding would be adequate or of she'd need to go to kennels/foster).

Any other suggestions welcome.

I'm happy to help her with calls/forms etc if required, and the odd social meet up, but I'm unfortunately not in a position to devote very much time or physical help myself due to my own illness.

Thank you.

perhaps she is entitled she should get soical services care package.
and can you care for her dog or go on your local facebook page to ask, although they might suggest an actual dog walker

what about the church

You sound like a lovely person to want to help this lady when you are going through a lot yourself
What about the Cinnamon Trust or borrowmydoggy.com for dog walking? As for post op recovery, most areas will have a community based team of nurses, physios, OTs etc who can visit daily in the early stages after hospital discharge - they are called different things depending on location so would be worth asking her GP, or the orthopaedic ward in your hospital should know about them too. Finally, the Red Cross has a 'home from hospital' service in some areas.
Wishing you both well, hope you are back home soon x

Thanks a lot for the suggestions. I'll ask her if she's been told about any of these and offer to help her find out about/ access them.

Church is a good idea I hadn't considered. Although I'm not religious myself some of my friends are so I've attended certain groups and events and always felt very welcome and been impressed at the work they do in the community.

I'm a big dog lover but definitely won't be in a position to commit to regular walks/care - I'm having to rely on others for help with many aspects of my own life for the foreseeable unfortunately.

I would second trying The Cinnamon Trust.

The Mayhew might be another option, but I think they are area/location dependent.

Thanks a lot, The Mayhew could work too, they aren't all that far from us.