Where is the volunteer army?

[Egghead68]

We heard a lot of talk about the 750,000 volunteers but then this went quiet.

I am in shielding and need to find someone who can pick up my medication from the chemist. I’ve tried a local volunteer group and they said there are only 4 of them and they are swamped. My chemist says he has not been told anything about NHS volunteers.

Anyone have any ideas please or know how we can access these volunteers?

I filled in the government form online and had someone call today. He is going to arrange for someone to collect shopping for me. Have you filled in the form?

Try your local Facebook page.
Many people will offer, even if not "official" volunteers.

I think the official volunteers are still being co-ordinated.

Or, try your local council as I believe they are the people doing the co-ordinating.
Good luck.

I volunteered on my local Nextdoor group. It’s worth signing up if you haven’t already. Also perhaps your local church? Good luck.

Yes - I responded that I needed help but this seems to be only food boxes (which I don’t need). When the council phoned me to see if I wanted (yet another) food box I said no but I needed help with medication and they said they didn’t know anything about that.

My response above was to @PumpkinP.

I only found one local group who ate swamped. Links to pages for other local support groups don’t seem to be working.

Ok the man who called me said they get food or medication. Must depend on the area then.

I'm on the border of three counties and each one has a dedicated call centre that is run by that local authority, which then refers on to your nearest hub. Have you checked whether your local authority had this set up?

I volunteered for the NHS thingy last week and have yet to hear anything back. Perhaps they've been overwhelmed by offers of help and it's taking a while to coordinate?

Try your local churches. Lots of them have set up volunteer teams

Try nextdoor.co.uk

My area has more volunteers than people looking for help.

Another one to try OP:
www.covidmutualaid.org

Enter your postcode and find out what's available to you locally.

But, Facebook is your best bet.

Nextdoor is a good place to start.

Thank you for the responses.

My council hub only do food.

Covidmutualaid says I have a local group but the link does not work.

I don’t think there is a nextdoor for this area.

I am reluctant to use churches but am getting desperate enough that I might...

I’d really rather use the 750,000 strong-volunteer group set up for this very purpose! Maybe we will hear more about them soon ...

The NHS volunteers are now receiving notifications of their registration, looks like they will become operational shortly.

I'm one and they are still working their way through applications. The people who are already signed up should start to get notifications through from Tuesday. You could consider signing up the online prscription renewal services. Lloyds, Boots and Co-op plus loads more I'm sure offer this and your meds will be delivered by post.

One of my local taxi firms are now offering a free prescription pick up service.

Can you give us a rough idea of where you are?

The amazing volunteers who signed up need to be registered so its not instant. Be patient if you really only want to use them. If youre getting short of meds look up local groups. If you are happy to tell us where you live maybe we can help.

I signed up and got set up yesterday. Not been asked to do anything yet (community fetch & carry) but they say more volunteers than requests for help at present.

OP ask on here how to request assistance
www.facebook.com/goodsamapp/

Local friends or neighbours?

It's getting close to the end of the day but if you have DC you can ring their school.
Volunteer Staff at my school are running essential errands for staff and students families who are in your position if your DC schools aren't running a similar scheme they will have appropriate community links and be able to sign post you.

Thanks everyone. It’s great news that the volunteers are getting their notifications. Hopefully this should be up and running shortly then.

Stay safe everyone.

It's worth making sure you are talking to the right level of the council (if you aren't in a unitary authority). My County Council is responsible for the shielded group, is recruiting its own volunteers and is also collaborating with the NHS scheme. My City Council is simply facilitating the work of neighbourhood volunteer groups. I know it sounds bureaucratic, and it's frustrating that you have to think this through rather than just being signposted in the right direction, but the councils are really struggling to coordinate their efforts/responsibilities right now so do check.

Thank you. Thanks helpful. I am in London and only know of my borough council but I will check whether there is another one.