500,000+ people sign up to be NHS volunteers in the UK

[Gimme More 35,802]

More than 500,000 volunteers have signed up to support the NHS (National Health Service) in helping vulnerable people who have been told not to leave their homes during the coronavirus crisis.

Nearly five people per second enlisted in the government’s new volunteering scheme in the hours after the health secretary, Matt Hancock, launched a call on Tuesday for 250,000 people in England to help bolster the NHS response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Overnight the number of volunteers who had pledged support topped 170,000, and as the day went on the target was smashed. “That is already, in one day, as many people as the population of Coventry,” said Boris Johnson in the daily Downing Street press conference. The figure now stands at 504,303.

The overwhelming response has prompted the NHS to extend its target to recruit 750,000 volunteers in total. Those volunteers who have already signed up will start next week.

As the coronavirus death toll in the UK rose to 422 people as of 10.10am on Wednesday, the government called on fit and healthy adults to deliver vital supplies such as food and medicines to up to 1.5 million vulnerable people, drive them home after being discharged from hospital and make regular phone calls to those in self-isolation.

Nearly 12,000 recently retired NHS staff came forward to rejoin the frontline following a separate call for help. The government has announced plans to set up a makeshift hospital with capacity for 4,000 beds at the ExCeL centre in east London.

People can join the scheme in four different roles, including as a community response volunteer, which involves “collecting shopping, medication or other essential supplies for someone who is self-isolating, and delivering these supplies to their home”.

Patient transport volunteers will support the NHS by driving discharged patients to their homes, and NHS transport volunteers will move equipment, supplies or medication between sites. Other volunteers will provide support calls to elderly people who are in isolation and at risk of loneliness.

Volunteers, who must be over 18, fit and healthy and able to pass an enhanced DBS check, will be directed to tasks via a responder app that they can switch to say they are “on duty” when available.

[Economy 52,844]

It's great to see that many people still have that spirit of giving and selflessness to help

 

[Gimme More 35,802]

Just now, Economy said:

It's great to see that many people still have that spirit of giving and selflessness to help

 

it's insane that many people volunteered in 24 hours, i'm still seeing people post on social media that they are applying/have applied!

amazing people 

[Leblanc 2,494]

This is the kind of news I love to see, I looked up trying to volunteer today but you can't be in the at-risk group to help. 

I wish people realised a lock-down is just one part of it. Some want to criticize our country and don't see all the other absolutely intense and great work going on by tonnes of decent people who are just trying to help out in this horrible situation we are in.

Stay safe guys

[Gimme More 35,802]

1 minute ago, LeBlanc said:

This is the kind of news I love to see, I looked up trying to volunteer today but you can't be in the at-risk group to help. 

I wish people realised a lock-down is just one part of it. Some want to criticize that and don't see all the other absolutely intense and great work going on. 

Stay safe guys

Stay safe too my fellow Brit 

[Chromaticunt 5,529]

I love seeing good news like this, it restores my faith in humanity.

I'd love to do it but I'm still working full-time and don't have a car so I'm not sure what I could do. I wish I could help somehow, I'm thinking of just posting cards through letterboxes offering to help quarantined or elderly people with shopping...