A palliative care project specifically designed for people in Newham has won a national award.

The Empowered Living Team project enables patients to be supported in their own homes following a plan designed in conjunction with a physiotherapist.

The project, set up by St Joseph’s Hospice, won the Innovation in Volunteering category at the Hospice UK awards on Tuesday.

Michael Kerin, chief executive of St Joseph’s Hospice said: “We are delighted to win this award, particularly as it is the first project of its kind in the country and because it was specifically created to answer the needs of a group of people in Newham who asked for our help.

“At St Joseph’s Hospice our aim is to enable people to live their life as well as they can until the very end.

“This project embodies that philosophy and we’re very proud of everyone involved.”

The project was developed in response to a survey of Newham residents, who said that they wanted access to more services in the borough.

Volunteers are given comprehensive training and regular supervision to help support more than 100 patients in their homes by visiting them for an hour each week for eight weeks.

They helped the patients to better self-manage their condition and increased their motivation and confidence to participate in activities that they identified as meaningful to them.

Participant Lilly Lock, who has pulmonary fibrosis, said working with volunteer Ed Singleton benefited her.

She said: “From day one we got on really well and worked as a team.

“He helped me to learn to control my breathing, giving me the confidence to leave my wheelchair behind and walk out of the house on my own for the first time in two years.

“That was such a breakthrough for me, a real life changing moment.”

If you think the Empowered Living Team could help you or someone you know, call 020 8525 6000.