Good News Worth Sharing: More Than 500,000 People Have Volunteered To Help The NHS Fight Coronavirus

More than half a million people in the UK have signed on to the NHS volunteer scheme following a government call out to help fight the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19). Helpers are vitally needed to help deliver food, medicine and more as the NHS struggles to cope with the overwhelming pressure of coronavirus patients amid staff shortages.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the scheme this week hoping for around 250,000 volunteers, however the sum has quickly surpassed that with Johnson adding all 504,303 volunteers will play a ‘absolutely crucial’ role. Now, health secretary Matt Hancock has put out a new call to action, hoping for another 250,000 volunteers, bringing the expected total to 750,000.

‘Coronavirus is the biggest challenge we have ever faced, which is why we’re rallying the troops and telling the public: your NHS needs you,’ Dr Nikki Kanani, GP and NHS Director of Primary Care, said in a statement. ‘This is one of those once-in-a-lifetime moments where a single action from one person can be the difference between life and death for another, and simple acts of kindness are going to make all the difference in keeping some of the most vulnerable people well and out of hospital.’

As well as being asked to deliver food and medicine, helpers are also asked to drive patients to appointments and phone those that are isolated. They must be over the age of 18, fit and healthy and non-symptomatic to offer their time in the scheme. Higher-risk groups can offer support by telephone and the majority of tasks can be undertaken while social distancing.

The volunteer roles available come under the following categories and responsibilities, according to the NHS website:

‘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.’

To volunteer, you can register on the GoodSAM Responder app where you will be subject to certain checks depending on your volunteer role and, when switched to ‘on duty’, you will see live and local volunteer tasks to pick from in your area. Click here to find out more.

In response to an overwhelming news cycle, Grazia will collate good news stories from all corners of the internet to give our readers (and ourselves!) a break from the constant barrage of worrying news.

We can’t hide from what’s happening, in fact we’ll still be covering the news on site and social and staying informed about the latest developments, but our Good News Worth Sharing series will be a safe haven and a place to spread some positivity.

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