Aibu to cry over the NHS volunteer army?

[HillAreas]

I’m more emotional about this whole situation than I had realised.

250,000 have volunteered already. Aren’t these people just bloody wonderful? For every wee arsehole that refuses to comply with lockdown thinking they are the exception, there are more good people out there doing their bit and looking to do even more.

Three cheers for the volunteers and thank you all so much! 👏🏻 👏🏻 👏🏻

For those sneering, we can’t all just lock down and hide in our bunkers, we really would be screwed if key workers took that attitude

Such a positive story and well done to everyone for volunteering.

We're in a risk group - had 2 offers from neighbours who are volunteers already, this is not fake.

Personally I can see this being like it was after the war - when if you were recruiting for a job you checked if they had had a "good" war before employing them.

I have a list of people and businesses based on their Facebook comments about staying in etc that I wont be employing/ will be using if I survive this epidemic. I dont imagine I'm the only one.

I've volunteered for transport.

My own MH is not great at the moment, so I don't think I'd be great at the Chat support (I'm not particularly chatty either!) but I'd be more than happy to transport patients or supplies.

A friend of mine is isolating with his very elderly, very ill Grandparents and the thought of there being so many people who are just as vulnerable, but without the care of their grandson, is enough motivation.

I was already looking at ways to volunteer before they announced the scheme - I'm healthy, have a car and have the time; why wouldn't I?

i have volunteered - have two kids and i am WFH full time, but my work allows 1 day volunteering a month and i can do stuff in the evening...

fortunately i have enhanced DBS that i just got last week from my kids school

Thank you I am shielding and hoping I hear something about food etc soon

If a volunteer goes shopping for you, how is the shopping paid for? Do you give them your card? What about self isolating families who need a weeks worth of shopping - £100 or so, and around 10 full bags - would a volunteer really do that?

I've volunteered (presumably it is for this - I think there were about 1,600 in my unitary authority as of last weekend).

As I understand it the bulk of my job for the moment will be to deliver leaflets to all the homes in my patch to make sure everybody is aware of the central helpline. Later on I expect we will be helping with food parcels for those deemed vulnerable/self isolating and making a few phone calls each day.

Most of our little street is already in a WhatsApp group and have been sorting things for those unable to get out for the past fortnight and sharing news about which shops and pubs are delivering food boxes. It just seemed a no-brainer to me.

Reading some of these threads makes it sound as if England has become a bit-player in The Hunger Games.

As always, the details havent quiet been communicated yet, but it think it will be a click and collect type arrangement. The volunteer will just collect and deliver, not do the actual shop

There is guidance given on how to arrange payment.

I have volunteered.

It's collecting and delivering stuff. Nice to be able to help a bit but let's not get carried away - it's hardly heroic.

The HCPs that are doing crazy long shifts at the front line are the ones deserving of praise. My friend has been seconded from another dept to A&E. They are deluged today by people who should be staying at home but are panicking.

It’s great. And I remember people doubting very much it would happen on here. Good old Chris Whitty he was right.

I have a list of people and businesses based on their Facebook comments about staying in etc that I wont be employing/ will be using if I survive this epidemic. I dont imagine I'm the only one

Absolutely.

I've volunteered, I'm working from home full time but hopefully they'll have something that I can do in the evenings/at weekends.

I'm in Wales, and our village has a Whatsapp group of volunteers. It is quiet so far with only a couple of requests so far. The coordinator says the main problem seems to be the OAPs are still going out for their milk and paper. They have interpreted it as their "essential shopping" , so first priority in our village is to get some teenagers out on paper rounds (wearing gloves and dropping stuff at the door. They are talking to the newsagent now.

I work from home fairly flexibly (always have, not new for me), not a vulnerable group and I drive, so when all this is over I'd feel bad if I didn't do my bit. If everyone did something (within the lockdown rules of course), however small, it would make a massive difference.

dottiedodah Neighbours looking out for each other is very different to a proposed need for an 'NHS army'.

Am in at-risk group plus don’t drive anyway but didn’t know about the phone chat thing.

Just one point though,how are they going to vet volunteers? Do we actually have the capacity to do this properly? Otherwise it’s surely a potential safeguarding disaster in the making...

I can't help physically but have donated a sum to my local food bank, they are struggling. Well done to everyone volunteering.

Bravo to them.
They make me proud to be British.
Not sausages, Rees-Mogg and Queen, but this volunteer army.

“Alternative* I already have an enhanced DBS so had to upload a copy of it.

My guess is that they will do several security checks.

There’s no front line stuff for those thinking volunteers are mad. It’s simply offering community support for people having to remain indoors. I have a friend who had a heart transplant 20 years ago. She is now in and shielding. It’s helping people like her get medication, shopping and human contact.

I am more than happy to do this.

The majority are wonderful, yes. I just saw on the news that one person who has volunteered has a wife with a low immune system having had breast cancer twice - what on earth is he thinking of? He shouldn't be accepted as a volunteer.

Yes, it's wonderful, lovely to know there are so many kind and helpful people after the weeks of seeing selfish idiots and twats all over the news.

In fact after reading this thread I went to fill in the form for volunteering, I could at least do the 'Check in and Chat' - but it's for those living in England only... come on Scotland, keep up!

I’ve volunteered specifically for the Chat and Check scheme, because I’m pregnant so as much as I’d like to do more I feel that’s the best I can offer. I’ve donated cash online to local food bank too, and already been doing some at a distance checking on older neighbours.

It’s all to make me feel better as I feel bloody useless at the moment, hardly selfless, though I’m sure other people have nobler motivations.

I’m waiting for the identity check to come through and hope they do need me as, as I say, I’d like the chance to feel vaguely useful.

I think the people who have volunteered are wonderful. Thank you to all of you that are doing this.

I'm at home trying to support a key worker and trying to guide 2 children (1 with SEN and ADHD) through school work.

I feel pretty useless tbh and I'm very grateful for all those who are willing and able to help.