National Health Service in need of volunteers

Under pressure NHS need an 'army' of volunteers who can support the 1.5m people in England who are at most risk from the virus to stay well

NHS VOLUNTEER Responders has been set up to support the NHS during the COVID-19 outbreak.

To do this the National Health Service need an ‘army’ of volunteers who can support the 1.5m people in England who are at most risk from the virus to stay well.

Doctors, nurses and other professionals will be able to refer people in to NHS Volunteer Responders and be confident that they have been matched with a reliable, named volunteer. 

You can help by signing up for one or more of the tasks listed below. Once you have registered and checks are complete you will be provided a log-in to the GoodSAM Responder app. Switch the app to ‘on duty’, and you’ll see live and local volunteer tasks to pick from nearby. 

This programme enables volunteers to provide care or to help a vulnerable person, which is permitted under the new rules announced by the Government on March 23. Volunteers may be asked to show the active task they are responding to if asked.

SUPPORT

Volunteers must be 18 or over, and fit and well with no symptoms. Those in higher-risk groups (including those over 70, those who are pregnant or with underlying medical conditions) will be able to offer support by telephone. 

Your safety will be the NHS’ priority. The majority of tasks can be undertaken while social distancing and volunteers will receive guidance through our ‘getting started pack’. If you do become ill you can pause your volunteering. 

Patient transport drivers will require an enhanced DBS check and will receive guidance to do this role safely, also included within the ‘getting started pack’.

Ways that you can help…

Community Response volunteer: This role involves collecting shopping, medication or other essential supplies for someone who is self-isolating, and delivering these supplies to their home.

Patient Transport volunteer: This role supports the NHS by providing transport to patients who are medically fit for discharge, and ensuring that they are settled safely back in to their home.

NHS Transport volunteer: This role involves transporting equipment, supplies and/or medication between NHS services and sites, it may also involve assisting pharmacies with medication delivery.

Check-in and Chat volunteer: This role provides short-term telephone support to individuals who are at risk of loneliness as a consequence of self-isolation.

Visit: https://www.goodsamapp.org/NHS

Comments Form

5 Comments

  1. | Linda Tollerfield

    Happy to help where I can.I am a retired teacher with a Barring Certificate on the update system. I am in good health and have a car.Have tried many times to fill in online form .Will not accept me.

    Reply

  2. | Alison Thorne

    I have tried to sign up to be a phone support person – too old to help in other ways. Can’t manage the on line form it wanted a photo of my DBS but I don’t understand what jpeg etc means. Is there a number I can phone?

    Reply

  3. | NORMAN H DENNIS

    I am a football Association level one first-aid.
    Level two first-aid emergency response.
    All courses are up-to-date as well as license coach safeguarding children and criminal check up-to-date( for this current season).
    While in the military I operated as an ambulance driver (when needed )but that was in the 70s.. I am a male aged 65 and available immediately. I’m living in Bishop Auckland County Durham have own transport

    Reply

  4. | Geoffrey Maskell

    Registered over a week ago for various driving roles and still not heard anything?

    Reply

  5. | Roger LLOYD

    I am in good health – ex teacher – 79 years old
    willing to drive car taking medicines – people to or from hospital – 100% car driver

    Reply

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