Health Equipment Loan Program (HELP)

The Health Equipment Loan Program (HELP) was awarded $10,000 to solicit gently used equipment donations such as bedside commodes, wheelchairs, walkers, canes, crutches, tub benches. The donated equipment is then sanitized, refurbished and made available to any Durham County resident in need. The program is implemented through Project Access of Durham County.

During the July 1, 2015-June 30, 2016 grant cycle, the program was able to achieve the following:

• Trained 25 volunteers and 20 remained active throughout the first 6 months.
• Launched and began operations from the Scrap Exchange site as scheduled on January 5, 2016
• Expected 200 donations but received a total of 467.
• 205 new loans were made and 14 loans were renewed- including items permanently transitioned to caregivers and organizations,
• 91% of volunteers surveys expressed satisfaction with their roles and 90% of customers stated that they would recommend the program to others.

From HELP Program Staff:

"At the start of this project, it was expected that the service would primarily aid seniors and those with financial difficulties or without insurance. It has been a truly enlightening experience to see the extent of need among Durham County residents, whether due to unexpected, temporary need or hardship or insufficient insurance coverage.

The variety of available equipment and each item’s various forms have helped residents of all ages and income circumstances, from a child needing crutches or a senior needing a walker, to a college student needing a wheelchair for just one day, so that his grandmother could attend his graduation."