Coronavirus: Army of NHS volunteers to start today - here’s how they will help

750,000 people sign up to help 2.5 million people at risk in England during pandemic

Hundreds of thousands of volunteers will report for duty today as they help the NHS care for the 2.5 million people at risk because of the coronavirus crisis.

Following the biggest call for volunteers in England since the Second World War, more than 750,000 people – three times the original target – signed up to join the “volunteer army” and help their communities.

When will they start?

The Royal Voluntary Service, the charity leading the effort, will have completed checks for the three quarters of a million applications by the end of Tuesday.

Thousands of approved volunteers will be offered tasks from Tuesday via the GoodSAM app and will begin helping people straight away.

More are expected to get requests over the coming weeks as referrals ramp up.

How does it work?

Health professionals, pharmacists and local authorities can upload requests for help on the NHS Volunteer Responders referrer’s portal, and volunteers pick the job they want to do that day and close the task once complete.

Volunteers show themselves as available when their app is switched to “on duty”.

What will volunteers be doing to help?

• Delivering medicines from pharmacies 
• Driving patients to appointments 
• Driving patients home from hospital and ensuring they are safely settled
• Transporting medical supplies and equipment for the NHS 
• Making regular phone calls to check on people isolating at home 

The Duchess of Cornwall, president of the Royal Voluntary Service, thanked those who have signed up to help.

Camilla, who has been reunited with the Prince of Wales after coming out of self-isolation herself, said: “Everyone working in the NHS is under unimaginable pressure day and night in this crisis.

“I feel sure that the presence of so many wonderful volunteers will encourage, as well as support, them.

“I salute each one of you – and thank you with all my heart.”

The duchess, 72, tested negative for coronavirus but isolated for 14 days after heir to the throne Charles was diagnosed Covid-19.

Health and social Care secretary Matt Hancock said: “I want to thank every single person who signed up to be an NHS volunteer responder.

“Their incredible generosity means we can now start helping those most in need across our communities and, in turn, support our heroic NHS staff and social care staff as they continue their outstanding work.

“Coronavirus is one of the greatest challenges our country has faced, and it is truly awe-inspiring to see our whole nation coming together to help each other at this difficult time.”

NHS chief executive Sir Simon Stevens added: “The number of people who came forward to help some of the most vulnerable in their communities is truly extraordinary.

“Today we begin to see the results of these tremendous acts of goodwill from the British public.

“Tackling this unprecedented coronavirus challenge means all of us to pulling together, so on behalf of the NHS, thank you to everyone who is playing their part.”

Additional reporting by Press Association