Does it cost anything to join FiSH?

There is a yearly subscription of £20 to register as a FiSH user. This gives you access to help from volunteers who have all been DBS checked.  A newsletter will be posted to your home three times a year.  However, the subscription does not cover our costs and we rely on donations to enable us to maintain and develop our services.

How often can I ask for help?

FiSH has over 600 registered users.  To enable us to service the needs of as many people as possible, we ask you, under normal circumstances, not to request help more than once a week.  However, we rarely say no, but may refer you to other sources of help if appropriate.

Is there anything I can't ask FiSH to help with?

FiSH does not offer personal care, help with medication or cleaning.  FiSH is unable to provide financial support. We would not normally expect our volunteers to climb high ladders they are not qualified to do electrics, gas or plumbing.

Generally, if the help you need is something that you would previously have done for yourself, or could reasonably ask a neighbour to help with, then you can ask FiSH for help. If it is something that you would normally employ a professional to do (i.e. cleaning, decorating, plumbing, regular gardening etc.) then it is not reasonable to ask FiSH.

Are FiSH volunteers trustworthy?

All of our volunteers are DBS cleared and we take up references for all volunteers before accepting them. Training is provided to ensure volunteers are both competent and confident to provide help and assistance.

What if I live outside the FiSH catchment area?

The FiSH 'service' area covers Barnes, Mortlake and East Sheen. All FiSH clients must live in one of these areas as a resident of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. However, if you live outside the FiSH area, each area of Richmond borough has its own neighbourhood network:

Ham & Petersham SOS - Ham & Petersham
Hampton & Hampton Hill Voluntary Care Group - Hampton, Hampton Hill & Hampton Nurserylands
HANDS Twickenham - Twickenham & St Margarets
Kew Neighbourhood Association - Kew
Richmond Good Neighbours - Richmond
Teddington & Hampton Wick Voluntary Care Group - Teddington & Hampton Wick
Whitton Network - Whitton & Heathfield

Referrals

We are happy to receive referrals from GPs, social workers, district nurses,  community mental health teams or concerned family members. Please call Liz on 020 8878 8100.
If you are not yet a member of FiSH, click on the button below for an application form. Membership of FiSH costs just £20 per year. Members receive regular newsletters and access to all of out activities and volunteer services.

FiSH Helpline

Our Helpline is open Monday to Friday between 9am and 1pm.  Please do make use of this by calling 020 8876 3414 if you need help with transport for medical or social appointments or if you need some shopping done.  Although we cannot help with personal care, we can help with simple things around the home like replacing light bulbs, occasional gardening tasks or at other times when you just need a useful helping hand.  Please call as early as possible in the day and, for medical appointments and shopping, please try and give us at least two days’ notice.
"I am so grateful for the help given to me by FiSH and the friendly spirit in which help is given.”  (FiSH Client)