Supporting voluntary effort
We appreciate many residents want to volunteer to help those affected by the Covid19 situation, in lots of different ways.
As well as registering your interest by filling in our form you can also help in a number of other ways.
Help the NHS - NHS Volunteer Responders
NHS Volunteer Responders has been set up to support the NHS during the COVID-19 outbreak. To do this we need an 'army' of volunteers who can support the 1.5m people in England who are at most risk from the virus to stay well.
The NHS are recruiting 250,000 volunteers in good health to help cover non-clinical tasks both in the NHS and the such as patient transport, delivering prescriptions and keeping in contact with people isolating at home.
Members of the public can sign up quickly and easily at goodsamapp.org/NHS to become NHS Volunteer Responders.
Setting up your own community group
If you have already set up a new network of community local volunteers, or are thinking about doing so, you can access information, advice and guidance on best practice by contacting CVS Bedfordshire through their website or by emailing info@cvsbeds.org.uk. The team there will direct you to appropriate resources, and will answer your questions about the best way to go about supporting your local community.
Getting involved in one of our existing Good Neighbour Schemes
These schemes provide residents with access to help and support, acting as a safety net and helping to lessen the impact if services and facilities are withdrawn. They can also help to reduce feelings of isolation and exclusion experienced by some who may need to be at home during the outbreak. . To contact your local Good Neighbour Scheme or to set up a new scheme please contact BedsRCC on 01234 838771 or by email to info@bedsrcc.org.uk stating your geographic location and the type of help you can offer.
Registering your interest with Community Action: Bedfordshire
Community Action:Bedfordshire has a database of local volunteering opportunities and is in touch with local charities, voluntary organisations and public sector agencies that need volunteers. Visit their website to find out more.
Getting more help with your existing voluntary organisation
If you are an existing volunteer-involving organisation and need information, advice or guidance on managing your volunteer programme contact Community Action: Bedfordshire through their website or by emailing volunteer@cabeds.org.uk.Tell them about your current volunteering opportunities and needs so that they can link you to offers of help from the public.
Joining our Emergency Response Volunteer Service
The Bedfordshire Community Emergency Response Team s are volunteers from local communities,trained and willing to respond to emergency incidents such as fires, flooding, disease outbreak, major transport disruption or a loss of utilities.For Further information or to apply online visit Bedfordshire Prepared.
Bedfordshire Coronavirus Emergency Fund
With the situation in the news developing daily, Bedfordshire and Luton Community Foundation have launched the Bedfordshire Coronavirus Emergency Fund. This has been launched to help support the voluntary sector and people in local communities.
How to help safely
Limiting the spread of the virus in of paramount importance. The Government has produced some guidance on how to help others safely.