THEY say that the one thing you can always rely on is change.

When someone’s health changes, the repercussions can be far-reaching; even the most capable person suddenly finds themselves in the humbling position of being the one asking for help, rather than offering it – perhaps for the first time in their adult life.

One such person, John Vaughan, is a well-known member of the Teignmouth community through his involvement with many local charities.

At the age of 85, he is still going strong as the vice-chairman for Devon Senior Voice, and was the chairman for the British Lung Foundation’s Breathe Easy group in Teignmouth for eight years, which he became involved with after his wife was diagnosed with COPD.

He is also involved with Teignmouth Regeneration Project and Teignmouth Residents’ Association.

Throughout his life, John has been a keen horse rider, so when he went to the doctor in October 2016 with pain in his lower back, he didn’t think much of it – assuming it was related to his riding. But the next thing he knew, he’d been told he had cancer and needed to have a kidney removed.

After such an active life, this was a huge shock, and sent John into depression.

It was only when he came home from hospital that John really understood how poorly he was – but his main priority was making sure his much-loved dog, Wesley, was looked after.

Volunteering in Health’s wellbeing coordinator, Jill Breyley, went to visit and support him.

Though John has many friends and a supportive family, he found Jill’s support invaluable. She helped him to sort through his paperwork, arranged for rails to be put up in the garden to make it easier for him to get out, and organised a cleaner to help out at home and walk the dog – a task John’s neighbour has now gladly taken on.

John said: ‘I’m usually a cheerful, buoyant person, and used to being a leader, but after this happened I was suddenly flat on my back. I didn’t know how to handle it. I was prepared for the physical effects, but not the psychological effects.

‘There were so many people coming in and out and I didn’t know who they were or why they were there.

‘Jill helped me to make sense of it all. She was a terrific help.’

John’s wife, Norma, added: ‘We were devastated when we found out about the cancer. It was such a shock when he had always been so fit and healthy. He was so lucky to get over it, but it was so worrying. He was so different – he wouldn’t eat and lost a lot of weight.’

Jill said John was her first client when I started in the role.

‘It is incredible to see the difference in him now compared to just four months ago, and fantastic to see how well the new wellbeing coordinator role is working for people’

Anybody lonely or isolated and could benefit from support, can contact Volunteering in Health on 01626 773924.