NHS coronavirus volunteer – how do I sign up?
THE NHS has been so overwhelmed with volunteers to help vulnerable people during the coronavirus crisis that it has paused recruitment, for now.
Since the call went out last week, more than 750,000 people have signed up to help NHS workers deliver medicine and supplies to 1.4million vulnerable patients isolating at home from Covid-19.
In the first 24 hours alone, 400,000 volunteers put their hands
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Those helping might be called on to do simple but vital tasks such as:
For example, you could offer help with shopping and other errands.
It adds that other people in the community who might also appreciate help are:
- Stretched medical staff and volunteers
- Staff and volunteers in key worker roles
- Supermarket workers
- Delivery drivers
NCVO suggests people can volunteer with organisations providing support.
Charities are currently working with government and local authorities to create ways for volunteers to get involved.
- If you don’t have a particular charity you want to support in your local area, contact your local Volunteer Centre, CVS or visit the Do-it website to find out where your help is most urgently needed
- You can sign up to the British Red Cross' community reserve volunteers scheme
- Your local foodbank may appreciate donations or help with deliveries for those who can't leave the house
- You can find more information on this on The Trussell Trust and Fareshare websites
Are coronavirus volunteers classed as key workers?
Health Secretary Matt Hancock told MPs in the House of Commons last week that volunteering was “a legitimate reason to travel”.
“I just want to make it absolutely clear that for people that are volunteering in the response to Covid-19, people who are caring even with unpaid and informal caring responsibilities, then it is OK to go and do that," he said.
“And you should do that, but you should stay more than two metres away from others wherever possible.
"But this has to be a practical instruction because of course we need to care for people.
“And I want to make clear that volunteering in the response to Covid-19 is a legitimate reason to travel.”