About the keyworker list

[Orangeblossom78]

Here www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-getting-tested#essential-workers

So, volunteers are covered too. Don't many of us volunteer in some way, meaning that most of us are then covered in this list? (for COVID testing)

Or does it have to be in some kind of official capacity?

Volunteer how? I volunteer for 3 separate organisations in various capacities. But I also volunteer to do things for my inlaws and friends. I wouldn't consider myself a volunteer in the same capacity for the latter as I do the former.

People volunteering for the NHS I believe?

Mini sounds like you'd definitely qualify then. Doesn't make it very clear does it. I mean, I would not have thought to start with volunteers would be considered as key workers but they are under the guidance.

I guess they would need to know as working with the vulnerable / delivering too them, so it does make sense.

It doesn't say it has to be for the NHS on the list, just 'volunteer'

The 2 instances of volunteers I can see are volunteers associated with NHS services or substance abuse. My interpretation is that this list is for people with front line roles in supporting the management of COVID 19 patients, health services, food supply etc.

Not Cub leaders and charity shop workers.

Am I misreading this somehow? The guidance you linked to mentions volunteers thrice:

•all NHS and social care staff, including: •doctors, nurses, midwives, paramedics, social workers, care workers, and other frontline health and social care staff including volunteers
•frontline local authority staff and volunteers, including •those working with vulnerable children and adults, victims of domestic abuse, and the homeless and rough sleepers (and hotel staff supporting these groups)
•voluntary sector organisations providing substance misuse treatment

So its pretty bloody clear that volunteers are included where they are providing essential services during the lockdown and not anyone who has ever volunteered in any capacity.

Oh, sorry it is:

-frontline local authority staff and volunteers, including
those working with vulnerable children and adults, victims of domestic abuse, and the homeless and rough sleepers (and hotel staff supporting these groups)

voluntary sector organisations providing substance misuse treatment

Well, might be useful to know I guess,

It says:

all NHS and social care staff, including:
• doctors, nurses, midwives, paramedics, social workers, care workers, and other frontline health and social care staff including volunteers

So NHS volunteers, not just any unfortunately.

Ok so that clarifies it, thanks.

Ah cross post!

It doesn't say it has to be for the NHS on the list, just 'volunteer'

But it’s in a subsection under a wider bullet point about people who work for the NHS.

X post, sorry

I'm a key-worker anyway (school).

I suspect this would include those who are volunteering to deliver food and medicines to the vulnerable though, as these arrangements have been made through local authorities and pharmacies. For example, our local running club is literally running people's meds to them. Good way of being helpful whilst also exercising.

Do most people volunteering!?

I mean volunteer*

Are you saying that you think if you volunteer at the stables down the road you are a key worker?

@Washyourhandsyoufilthyanimal, in my experience there are people who volunteer, abd they volunteer for several things; the mum washing up the mugs at the baby group is the School Governor of the future; and there are people who don’t, at all. I don’t know anyone who volunteers for 1 or 2 things. None or 3+.