Volunteer - what you can do to help

There are a range of ways you can get involved.

Sign up to be a Covid Community Champion

Sign up to be a covid community champion and help to keep people up to date with the latest information and guidance.

Volunteer in your community

Look out for your family, friends and neighbours

The simplest thing you can do right now is look out for your 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

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.

Alternatively you can contact us by phone - between 9.00am until 5.00pm weekdays.

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 as a volunteer with the NHS.
• Register with County Durham Volunteering.

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 a safe distance 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