To ask you to volunteer.

[Stinkycatbreath]

Im a key worker working in childrens services for the local authority. Soon I will have much less work to do after all my paperwork is finished and will be re-deployed to work either in adult care supporting hospital discharges or doing some specialised paediatric work with my NHS counterparts. I am lucky to be allowed out of the house to work each day and very privileged that I am stil being paid my full wage.
However my own council alone has a massive shortfall of people to do essential work from answering telephones to providing care for people. I was speaking to a man who is now on furlough and will be claiming his 80%. which is fair enough. He told me that he feels that he should be earning money and would like to help so I pointed him in the direction of our volunteers website.
AIBU to ask any of you who can and have any spare hours to contribute if your business has closed to go to your local authority pages and volunteer your services to contribute to the greater good?

I've just looked at my local council's website and on the volunteer page it just says no opportunities at the moment. Do you think it's likely they need volunteers and just haven't advertised it? I do have a 5 year old to look after, but have zero work at the moment so would be more than happy to do what I can.

Ah I did a bit of googling and managed to find something. I will put my name down. Thanks op.

Well if you have children you have to kind of put them first. Thank you Harriet

Our local council have just done telephone interviews to get extra people to work in care homes for people with learning difficulties, they weren't offering any ppe so my adult ds turned it down.

Our council have just sent our emails to all their casual staff, ie the ones who help at elections, asking for availability.

I'm signed up on www.goodsamapp.org/ for phone support. I'm in a vulnerable group so I can't physically go and do things for people, but I can use my phone to check on folks that need it.

Apparently posting a link is wonky now. Google GoodSAM and it'll point you in the right direction for volunteering.

Thanks for posting that @penisbeakers

I have been wondering if there is anything I can do purely from home (also vulnerable group).

(Link is working for me )

I think they have to be realistic with what everyone can do. As I say it is voluntary but I know lots of people going stir crazy in the house! My council have got befriending schemes and buddy schemes so that a volunteer calls four or five people a day the check how they are. All things that can be done from home. Hopefully when this is over we can continue to spread the love. Thanks everyone .

@penisbeakers or anyone else who volunteers to help people in this Covid19Crisis —-
Hi there I wondered if you can help me ?

I have volunteered , been accepted and got the GoodSam app , but like you I wanted to telephone people as I fall into a vulnerable group.

I’m probably being extremely dim but I am not sure what I have to do .
I simulated an alert thinking that it showed a demo of what I need to do , but quickly “rejected”
it as this horrendous siren went off and my poor kitties were absolutely terrified it was so loud and words on the screen said “Sue needs help urgently “ So thought I’d made an error as I’m volunteering my help on phone to others and I’m sue!

Can you explain as am really unsure how this works . I’d be very grateful -probably need an idiot proof explanation...!

😉 thanks and regards