How can I volunteer locally during Covid-19?
Although we are all advised to stay at home except for very limited exceptions, one of those limited exceptions is ‘to provide care or to help a vulnerable person’
Below is links to over 5000 groups and charities that are currently providing support to local communities across the UK.
Each link below contains a huge amount of local organisations and opportunities your staff to contact & look to get involved with.
You must also do so safely by following Government health, hygiene and safeguarding guidance.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Over 4000 Mutual Aid groups have been set up all across the UK to help co-ordinate local community support. Visit https://covidmutualaid.orgto find your local group.
A matching service between those offering assistance and those needing assistance. There are many endless possibilities here https://localhelpers.org/
FOODBANKS
A network of over 1000 Foodbanks requiring extra hands & help during the Covid-19 crisis.
Find your local Foodbank here: https://www.trusselltrust.org/get-involved/volunteer/
A network of over 600 independent Foodbanks.
Find your local foodbank here: https://www.foodaidnetwork.org.uk/our-members
COMMUNITY HEALTH
The NHS Voluntary Responders programme: https://www.goodsamapp.org/NHS
Become a Community Reserve Volunteer with the Red Cross: https://reserves.redcross.org.uk/
OTHER NETWORKS
Community & Voluntary Services (CVSs) are organisations that support local networks of charities as well as organising their own volunteering. To find a CVS in your local area, their membership organisation NAVCA has a search tool on its website: https://navca.org.uk/find-a-member-1
Your local Volunteer Centre will help you find the right volunteering opportunity for you: https://www.ncvo.org.uk/ncvo-volunteering/find-a-volunteer-centre
Hands on London (London specific) a charity supporting local Homeless Shelters, Soup Kitchens, Food Banks, Older People’s projects, Children’s Centres across London: https://www.handsonlondon.org.uk/about-us/