VOLUNTEERS are urgently needed to support vulnerable people in the borough.
The call comes as the Volunteer Responders programme, delivered by Royal Voluntary Service and the GoodSAM app on behalf of the NHS and Department of Health and Social Care, expands to support even more people and communities across England.
Rugby needs 100 volunteers to step forward to support as the Volunteer Responders programme recruits for two newly relaunched volunteer activities, Community Response and Pick Up and Deliver.
Through Community Response, volunteers collect and deliver food shopping, prescriptions and essential items to vulnerable people.
Through Pick Up and Deliver, volunteers help transport medicines or small medical equipment items to people’s homes or community settings from NHS sites, helping to support hospital discharge and prevent admissions.
Volunteering is completely flexible and is managed through the GoodSAM smartphone app, allowing volunteers to make a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of people in their area, at times and locations that suit them.
Community Response and Pick Up and Deliver were initially launched during the pandemic to support shielding and isolated individuals. Countless volunteering heroes emerged, ready to serve, offering support to those most vulnerable.
Sam Ward, deputy CEO of Royal Voluntary Service, said: “Today, the need for volunteers remains as vital as ever. We are urgently, asking those who can, to provide support to their communities and volunteer.
“Just giving a couple of hours, at a time that suits you, can make a real difference to the health and wellbeing of local people across Rugby.”
Volunteers provide lifelines to vulnerable people in the community, ensuring access to fresh groceries, essential items, prescriptions and medical equipment for those facing health challenges, limited mobility, hospital waits, recent hospital discharge, and those struggling to shop unaided.
The roles aim to ease pressure on the health and social care system by providing additional support to help people in need. By helping with these activities, volunteers will support the health and care sector and complement the existing workforce. Volunteers do not replace the existing highly valued paid health and care staff or take on their roles and responsibilities.
Visit nhscarevolunteerresponders.org for more details on the activities and how to sign up.
