HUNDREDS OF thousands of NHS Volunteer Responders have started to report for duty today and help the NHS in its fight against the coronavirus.

Over 750,000 people signed up to the NHS’ call for volunteers in just four days when the scheme launched on March 24.

The response, three times the original target, was so phenomenal, recruitment for the initiative has been paused.

Royal Voluntary Service, the charity delivering the volunteer effort, will have completed checks for the three quarters of a million applications by the end of Tuesday. 

Because of the huge response, the group of vulnerable people they will support in England has now been expanded and they will come to the aid of 2.5 million at risk people.

Catherine Johnstone, chief executive at Royal Voluntary Service, said: “We have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of kindness across England and the many thousands of people wanting to play their part.

“We are already matching volunteers with vulnerable people in their local area to perform the tasks they have signed up to do. During the coming weeks and months they will be called upon to help those who are vulnerable and at risk who are self-isolating for their own protection. Not only will this help to relieve pressure on the NHS – but it will also save lives.” 

The volunteers’ tasks will include delivering medicines from pharmacies, driving patients to appointments, bringing them home from hospital, making regular phone calls to check on people isolating at home, and transporting medical supplies and equipment for the NHS.

Thousands of the approved volunteers will be offered tasks from today via the GoodSAM app so that they can start helping people safely. Even more volunteers are expected to get requests over the coming weeks as referrals ramp up. 

Health professionals, pharmacists and local authorities can upload requests for help on the NHS Volunteer Responders referrer’s portal and volunteers pick the job they want to do that day and close the task once complete.   

Volunteers show themselves as available when their app is switched to “on duty”.

President of national volunteering charity, Royal Voluntary Service, the Duchess of Cornwall has shared a message of thanks to the NHS Volunteer Responders.

The Duchess of Cornwall has also undertaken a “check in and chat” call with Doris Winfield, 85, from Rickmansworth, who has spent the last two weeks self-isolating.

NHS chief executive Sir Simon Stevens said: “The number of people who came forward to help some of the most vulnerable in their communities is truly extraordinary. 

“Today we begin to see the results of these tremendous acts of goodwill from the British public, with volunteers offering support to those who need it most.” 

Mark Wilson, co-founder and medical director of GoodSAM said the company was “immensely proud” to have adapted its platform to be the first autonomous tasking system on this scale in the world.

For more information visit www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk or to make a referral visit NHS England website.