Volunteer in your community

Groups

If you're part of a group that's providing help and support in your community, please let us know so that we can advertise it to those who need it. Register on our online form and we will add the services you're offering to Locate - our online support directory.

Alernatively you can contact us by phone - between 9.00am until 5.00pm weekdays and 10.00am until to 3.00pm on weekends.

Individuals

If you're not part of a group, but would like to volunteer, you can:

• Visit Locate - our online support directory, and contact the organisations directly to offer your time.
• Register with our community volunteer scheme and we'll try to match your skills with local residents that you can support.
• Register as a volunteer with the NHS.

Other ways to help

Look out for your family, friend and neighbours

The simplest thing you can do right now is look out for their neighbours and offer help with shopping and other errands. It's not just about neighbours who are self-isolating or potentially vulnerable, other people in the community who might also appreciate help such as:

• medical staff and other volunteers
• staff in key worker roles
• supermarket workers
• delivery drivers
• front line council staff

We are likely to be in this unusual situation for a number of months, however your help will be even more crucial in the first few weeks, whilst continuing to check in with your family, friends and neighbours.

Important information for all volunteers

Please remember that although it is vital that people volunteer their time and skills, they also need to stay safe and should follow a few simple guidelines:

• let family and friends know what you're doing
• keep in touch via phone, video call or social media
• stay at least two metres (about three steps) away from people you're helping
• offer to run errands for people but stay outside of their homes
• keep washing your hands often
• don't take on too much - it may be better not to offer at all than to let someone down
• if you're trying to help someone with very serious issues please draw it to the attention of the appropriate services or support
• where possible, work with a recognised volunteer organisation who can provide you support