Volunteer scheme reaches milestone

MORE than half a million tasks have been completed by the NHS army of volunteers recruited to help local communities during the coronavirus pandemic.

The NHS Volunteer Responders scheme, available to councils, charities and NHS staff, had almost 600,000 sign up to help vulnerable people when it launched three months ago.

Volunteers delivered food and medicines, chatted to those isolating alone through “check-in and chat” phone calls, and also helped people to get to and from hospital appointments.

Catherine Johnstone of the RoyalVoluntary Service said: “To reach this milestone is testament to the goodwill of our nation who have come together to tackle this virus.”

The five areas benefiting most from the scheme were Wolverhampton, Kensington and Chelsea, Hastings, Middlesbrough and East Lindsey.