Volunteering

The latest from the National Health Service and HM Government

All of the latest guidance and advice for individuals and businesses—from testing to benefits and from social distancing to shielding—can be found here.

Details of coronavirus volunteer support groups are listed below.

If you would like your local voluntary service to be advertised here, please email a text advertisement similar to those below.

NHS Volunteer Responders

NHS Volunteer Responders has been set up to support the NHS and the care sector during the COVID-19 outbreak. To do this they have recruited an 'army' of 750,000 volunteers who can support the 1.5m people in England who are at most risk from the virus to stay well. Our doctors, nurses, those working in local authorities and other professionals, will be able to refer people in to NHS Volunteer Responders and be confident that they have been matched with a reliable, named volunteer. 

Volunteers have signed up for one or more of the tasks listed here. After their registration and checks were completed, they were provided a log-in to the GoodSAM Responder app. They switch the app to 'on duty', and see live and local volunteer tasks to pick from nearby. 

This programme enables volunteers to provide care or to help a vulnerable person, which is permitted under the new rules announced by the Government on 23rd March 2020. Volunteers may be asked to show the active task they are responding to if asked.

SW Cheshire "Good Neighbours" Volunteers

If you are in south-west Cheshire and are either self-isolating or would like to help those that are, please visit the SW Cheshire "Good Neighbours" Volunteers Facebook page.

The aim is:

  • to help local volunteers connect with those who are co-ordinating support at a parish level in local communities
  • to help parish councils see how they can support the rural vicar network/local surgeries/pharmacies
  • to support those who are self isolating and may be vulnerable and unable to leave the house.

They are also looking for volunteers who are willing to help:

  • deliver food
  • offer phone calls for company
  • volunteer for pet care or walking
  • collect prescriptions
  • do library runs
  • provide telephone technical support, etc.

If you need to contact the group, please e-mail them with your name, address and contact details in the e-mail, and any special skills if you are volunteering. If you need help please put NEED HELP in the subject line of the e-mail.

Winsford "Good Neighbours" Volunteers

If you are in Winsford and are either self-isolating or would like to help those that are, please visit the Winsford "Good Neighbours" Volunteers Facebook page.

You can also email the group here and visit their website here, or call 07907 186300‬ if you are over 70 and self-isolating.

The aim is:

  • to help local volunteers connect with those who are co-ordinating support in local communities
  • to help those who are self isolating and may be vulnerable and unable to leave the house.

If you run a community group, church group, or similar that has elderly or vulnerable members then please message the group via the Facebook page so that they can work together to identify people who are likely to be in the most need.

Likewise if any residents have neighbours they’re concerned about, then please message with the details via the Facebook page.

They are also looking for volunteers—especially those with valid DBS certificates—who are willing to help:

  • deliver essentials
  • offer phone calls for company
  • volunteer for pet care or walking, etc.

Tarporley Volunteers

Tarporley Parish Council are providing a co-ordination service to connect people who need help with volunteers offering help.

For further details, please see here.

To register as a volunteer or as someone needing help, please visit this page.

Bunbury Community COVID-19 Support

Bunbury Parish Council and St Boniface Church have, with the support of local residents and groups, set up the Bunbury Community scheme, which is due to go live on Monday, 23 March 2020. 

The scheme will support Bunbury residents self-isolating during the Covid-19 pandemic who need help with:

  • deliveries of food, goods and medications, or
  • require support due to being alone and out of contact with family and friends.

For further details of how the scheme will operate or to register as a volunteer or as someone needing help, please visit this page.

Spurstow, Peckforton, Haughton and Beeston Community 'Be a Good Neighbour'

The Parish Councils of Beeston, Haughton, Peckforton and Spurstow are working together to support all of their residents in self isolation during the Covid-19 epidemic.

They will help with deliveries of food, goods and medications from Bunbury or Tarporley surgeries, as well as providing regular contact for people who may feel isolated during this period.

Please register now as a volunteer or call if you need something urgent.

They will follow UK Government advice, operating under their guidance.

They want people in self-isolation to be able to reassure distant friends and relatives to know that they are being cared for.

Their service

Please contact them before 10:00am each day. Don't forget you can leave a message the previous evening, and make your request such as:

  • Pick up medications (Monday to Friday)
  • Give us your shopping list (every day)
  • Post a letter, pay a bill, use post office services including pensions
  • For anything else, don't be afraid to ask!

They want to help local businesses and ensure their long term future within the community.

They will primarily be using the Bunbury Co-Op, the Post Office, RF Burrows (Butchers/Deli), Chestnut meats, Shone's dairy, and any other local businesses, and delivering meals from Tilly's, Lockgate Cafe and local pubs/take-aways. 

They will also look at adding services such as a DVD / Book / Puzzle library.

They will visit between 1.00pm and 4.00pm to deliver & collect payment.

How to contact us
For those without Internet please call 07879 023033, or leave a voice message, send a Text or use WhatsApp.

Find out more online here, or email them here.

The services will evolve as they gain experience in this new venture, so please bear with them as they work together support the community.

Kelsall & Tarvin Churches: Here To Help

This is a group of local volunteers, coordinated by the local churches who have come together during a time when some people are finding it hard to access the help they need.

You can find them online here and on Facebook here.

They would like to support the community that they live in and ensure that nobody is left isolated or without support. They don't ask for anything in return, they just believe in helping each other in a time of difficulty.

They are your local neighbours and not a professional body.

They can only offer help within reason, and in ways that they can also stay safe.

If you need medical advice, use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service at T11.nhs.uk/covid-19, or if you have no internet access, call NHS 111 from your phone. In a medical emergency, dial 999.

NEED SUPPORT?

If you would like to speak to them, or want to ask for help, please call on 01829 740354 (Mon, Wed, Fri) 9.30am - 11.30am.

Out of hours support on 01829 740354: please leave a message for a call back.

GIVE SUPPORT

If you would like to support the community and join in, they can add you to their volunteer spreadsheet.

Please text 07984 003665 to join the group.

HOW CAN THEY HELP?

  • ARRANGING DELIVERIES  
  • PICKING UP SHOPPING & MEDICATION
  • A FRIENDLY PHONE CALL 
  • POSTING MAIL 
  • URGENT SUPPLIES 
  • HELP TOPPING UP ELECTRIC OR GAS KEY
  • SPIRITUAL SUPPORT

Audlem & District Community Action

This is to share with everyone the action which Audlem & District Community Action (ADCA) is taking, with support from Audlem Parish Council and Cheshire East Council, to support people over 70 and those with significant health conditions who are now having to self-isolate in their own homes.

They are also now working with Audlem Medical Practice, Boots the Chemists, the local churches and the Public Hall Committee in establishing a well coordinated and professional response in the local community.

And they are liaising with Hankelow, Buerton and Hatherton and Walgherton Parish Councils.

ADCA has now closed all its day clubs and coffee clubs, and ADCA staff and volunteers have arranged support at home for the over 80 older people they currently support.

They are now looking to extend that support to any other people who are having to self-isolate in our rural community who may need support with the delivery of food and essentials, medical prescription deliveries and support by telephone.

If you are in this position, please ring the ADCA number 07984 785907. They are aiming to have this number staffed 7 days a week shortly, but for now, bear with them, please leave a message and they will get back to you as soon as possible.

They are operating from the Audlem Public Hall Annexe, but would rather people phone in or email us rather than calling in.

ADCA already have a number of additional volunteers who have offered to join their team.

But they are looking for more, so if you are able, please also ring 07984 785907 to offer your help.

ADCA is also continuing to support the 100 or so carers they are currently in touch with, but any carers who need help for themselves and their cared for should get in touch.

People can also email ADCA to pass on their information and requests for help.

ADCA will provide further updated information on a regular basis via Audlem Online.