On Thursday 5 November we welcomed Ben Long, Business Development Lead from Royal Voluntary Service to provide further information to the sector about the NHS Volunteer Responders service.

The national volunteer scheme was set up by the NHS in England in March to help win the battle against COVID-19, and is supported by Royal Voluntary Service and GoodSAM, with work continuing until at least March 2021.

NHS Volunteer Responders work with people who are vulnerable to the virus and help them to stay well by staying at home. They also directly support the NHS by delivering equipment and supplies, providing patient transport, and directing patients at NHS sites. New ways to support the NHS are due to be announced shortly.

The scheme is operated through a smartphone app which means volunteers can set convenient times to go ‘on duty’. This makes it easy to fit around work, family or other volunteering commitments.

Referring into the service

Voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector organisations in York can refer individuals to receive support from the service but they have to register first. To register your organisation please contact Ben Long via: ben.long@royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk

Once you have referred into the service, you can track the your referral to ensure that it has been actioned.

Recruiting NHS Volunteer Responders in York

The service is currently looking to recruit volunteers for York and North Yorkshire. To sign up, please go to: https://nhsvolunteerresponders.org.uk/i-want-to-volunteer

If you have previously joined the scheme but have not recently been ‘on duty’, you can simply sign in again through the GoodSAM app or call 0808 196 3646 for advice.

Read full media release from NHS Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group.

You can view the session recording (15 mins) via YouTube below: