Your NHS needs you!
That is the message that has gone out as Support Cumbria appeals for volunteers to come forward and help at temporary recovery wards being set up across the county.
In Cumbria, the NHS is setting up recovery centres in Carlisle, Penrith, Whitehaven, Barrow and Kendal, for patients recovering from coronavirus. Each is in need of volunteers to help on a rota system that will run every day.
In addition, the NHS is also looking for volunteers across hospital sites in north Cumbria.
Volunteers are needed for roles including caring for patients, helping with refreshments and mealtimes, general cleaning and ancillary duties as well as family liaison support.
A Support Cumbria database has been developed in response to Covid-19 and, to be able to deal with a high number of volunteers, they have been working to support the NHS to take initial volunteer interests for patient and non-patient facing roles.
There are a number of different roles: some patients in the recovery centres may need help with basic care such as assistance with meals or to walk to the toilets. Other roles could include providing valuable contact with families enquiring about their loved ones or general duties delivering equipment or medication.
Peter Rooney, chief operating officer at NHS North Cumbria CCG, said: “On behalf of all NHS staff in north Cumbria I would like to thank everyone in Cumbria for continuing social distancing. This is the best way everyone can support the local NHS. 
“We are working on the best way to use the recovery centres in Carlisle, Whitehaven and Penrith. The centres will only be used if needed as a contingency if absolutely needed and will be for patients who are well enough to leave the hospital, but need some extra support before returning to their home.
“I can reassure the public that the NHS is working with partners to ensure the equipment, facilities and staff needed for the centres will be in place before any patients move from hospital.
“We welcome the initiative from Support Cumbria to encourage volunteers to come forward.”
He added: “We are still confirming how many volunteers we will need and how they will be deployed, so we are initially looking for people who may be able to support our registered healthcare professionals, for instance by serving food and drinks, supporting patients to walk to the bathroom and helping support communication between patients and families. 
“Anyone who may be interested in helping should express an interest through the Support Cumbria website.”
Anyone who chooses to register their interest in volunteering via Support Cumbria will have their details shared with the NHS as well as with the British Red Cross which is helping to co-ordinate volunteers.
The NHS will do their own volunteer recruitment procedures and will then liaise with the British Red Cross through their Emergency Response Team.
Cumbria County Council will also be looking for care volunteers, so if your offer is not utilised by the NHS, you might be contacted by the council.
All volunteers will be asked to undertake e-learning on basic topics such as confidentiality, health and safety and understanding the virus.
Patients in the centres will be recovering from Covid-19 and volunteers will therefore be asked to wear aprons, gloves and paper masks.
This protective equipment together with following general hygiene guidance will help prevent volunteers from picking up the virus.
A message from Support Cumbria said: “Your local NHS more so than ever needs more volunteers with the outbreak of Coronavirus. Your time, skills and commitment is really needed in any of the roles you may be able to help with.
“Together and through your volunteer offer you can make a difference.”
Visit supportcumbria.org.uk to register.
What roles are available to help the NHS?
THE NHS locally requires volunteers for roles including caring for patients, helping with refreshments and mealtimes, general cleaning and ancillary duties as well as family liaison support.
As the Support Cumbria database has been developing in response to Covid-19 to deal with high number of volunteers, staff have been working to support the NHS to take initial volunteer interests for their NHS patient-facing and non patient-facing roles. 
The four roles required are: 
 Basic Patient Care - NHS patient-facing
 Ancillary Ward Base - NHS patient-facing
 Hospitability Ward Base - NHS non-patient facing
 Family Liaison - NHS non-patient facing 
For anyone wanting to volunteer for one of these roles visit the Support Cumbria website and go to the volunteer section.
This can be found at https://supportcumbria.org.uk/.
Support Cumbria is unable to respond to specific questions for these volunteer roles as they are simply administering the volunteer data on behalf of the NHS.
Once your details are passed to the NHS they will do their own volunteer recruitment procedures and be able to answer any specific questions. 
If you choose to register your interest in volunteering via Support Cumbria your details will be passed onto the NHS and the British Red Cross who are helping to coordinate volunteers.
Cumbria County Council will also be looking for care volunteers.