Community First Responders (CFR)

Every day, our volunteer Community First Responders from across the South West attend emergencies within their local communities.

Sometimes the difference is providing reassurance prior to the arrival of an ambulance; sometimes it is saving someone’s life.

Learn more

Your background

You do not need any previous medical training to become a Community First Responder and our volunteers come from all walks of life.

Our volunteers include everyone from students to stay at home parents, retirees and many different professions.

We will provide you with the required medical training and equipment to prepare you for the role of Community First Responder.

SWASFT employee giving a presentation.
SWASFT volunteer treating patient.

Join SWASFT's Fulfilling Volunteer Team

In 2019, we were one of the first UK ambulance service to be awarded the Investing In Volunteers quality standard for good practice in volunteer management.

The standard shows volunteers, and potential volunteers, how much they are valued by an organisation and gives them confidence in its ability to provide an outstanding volunteer experience.

If you’re looking to make the most of your life skills in a challenging but extremely rewarding environment, this could be the ideal opportunity for you!

Community First Responders are volunteers, trained by South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT), to attend 999 medical emergencies in their local community.

You will need

Driving licence.

A full driving licence (held for a minimum of 12 months)

Car.

Access to a private vehicle

Union Jack.

The right to work in the UK

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Good interpersonal and communication skills

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The ability to accurately observe and record information

Awareness.

The ability to take the lead and remain calm in pressured situations

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A level of fitness sufficient to deliver CPR

About Us

SWASFT provides a wide range of emergency and urgent care services across the Southwest of England.

We cover the largest ambulance region in England, operating over 10,000 square miles with a population that increases from 5.7million up to 23million people throughout the year.

Volunteers form an essential part of #TeamSWASFT.

SWASFT crest.
Volunteer treating person on the floor.

The role

As a Community First Responder you will attend emergencies in your local area ranging from:

  • Providing reassurance to a patient prior to the arrival of an ambulance
  • Treating conditions such as cardiac arrest, chest pain, breathing difficulties, diabetic emergencies, strokes, seizures and allergic reactions
  • Training people to use defibrillators
  • Even saving someone’s life

Being a Community First Responder is very flexible, it allows you to control your own time and manage your level of commitment.

How do I become a Community First Responder?

Volunteers helping old man in chair.
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2.  Application Form

Next, you complete an online application form via NHS Jobs www.jobs.nhs.uk

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1.  Explore the role

Contact your local Community Responder Officer here. https://www.swast.nhs.uk/volunteer-contacts

Express an interest via the following link: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/SWASTVolunteering

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3.  Interview stage

If you are shortlisted, you will then be  invited for an interview where we can find out more about you and you about us.

Training.
4.  Training

If successful, you will be invited to an initial four-day training course. This leads to a nationally recognised Level 3 FutureQuals qualification.

Recruitment intakes 2024/25

County Target Areas Advert Launch Date Application Closing Date Interview Dates Interview Location Proposed Training Dates Proposed Training Location
South/West Devon Dartmouth, Totnes, Newton Ferres, Kinsbridge, Bovey Tracey, Salcombe, Tavistock, Buckfastleigh, Yelverton, South Brent, Wembury, Plympton, Teignmouth, Brixham & Devonport 24/06/2024 21/07/2024 w/c 05/08/24 St John Ambulance HQ – Paignton 14th & 15th Sept, 21st & 22nd Sept and 28th & 29th Sept 2024 St John Ambulance HQ - Paignton
Bris & Som Frome, Minehead, Shepton Mallet, Yeovil, Glastonbury, Wincanton, Chard, Wiliton, Wiveliscombe, Bicknoller, Portishead, Clevedon, Weston Super Mare, Nailsea, Pensford/Clutton 08/07/2024 04/08/2024 w/c 19/08/24 Bridgwater 21st & 22nd Sept, 5th & 6th Oct and 19th & 20th Oct 2024 Bridgwater
Wiltshire Devizes and the Lavingtons, Warminster/Westbury, Marlborough, Calne, Salisbury, Radstock, Pewsey, Malmesbury, Melksham, Highworth & Shrivenham, Trowbridge & BOA 29/07/2024 25/08/2024 w/c 09/09/24 Methuen Park 12th & 13th Oct and 26th & 27th Oct 2024 Methuen Park
Dorset TBC 05/08/2024 01/09/2024 w/c 16/09/24 TBC 19th & 20th Oct and 2nd & 3rd Nov 2024 TBC
Gloucestershire Cirencester, Winchcombe, Berkeley, Stroud, Mitcheldean, Drybrook & Cinderford 12/08/2024 08/09/2024 w/c 23/09/24 Staverton 26th & 27th Oct and 9th & 10th Nov 2024 Skill Zone
North/East Devon Axminster, Bampton, Black Torrington, Brampford Speke, Bratton Fleming, Braunton, Crediton, Croyde, Cullompton, Culmstock, Great Torrington, Hartland, High Bickington, Honiton, Ilfracombe, Lundy Island, Lynton & Lynmouth, North Molton, Okehampton, Ottery St Mary, Seaton, Shebbear, Sidmouth, South Molton, Tedburn St Mary, Uffcombe, West Hill, Winkleigh, Witheridge, Yelland 26/08/2024 22/09/2024 w/c 07/10/24 Various Ambulance Stations Across NE Devon 9th & 10th Nov, 16th & 17th Nov and 23rd & 24th Nov 2024 Tiverton PETROC
Cornwall TBC 07/10/2024 07/11/2024 w/c 02/11/24 Roche 11th & 12th Jan and 24th, 25th & 26th Jan 2025 Indian Queens
South/West Devon Dartmouth, Totnes, Newton Ferres, Kinsbridge, Bovey Tracey, Salcombe, Tavistock, Buckfastleigh, Yelverton, South Brent, Wembury, Plympton, Teignmouth, Brixham & Devonport 04/12/2024 31/12/2024 15/01/25-17/01/25 St John Ambulance HQ - Paignton 1st & 2nd Mar, 15th & 16th Mar and 22nd & 23rd Mar 2025 St John Ambulance HQ - Paignton
Wiltshire Devizes and the Lavingtons, Warminster/Westbury, Marlborough, Calne, Salisbury, Radstock, Pewsey, Malmesbury, Melksham, Highworth & Shrivenham, Trowbridge & BOA 23/12/2024 19/01/2025 w/c 03/02/25 Methuen Park 8th & 9th Mar and 22nd & 23rd Mar 2025 Methuen Park

Join us to make a difference

Be part of something extraordinary

Join our exceptional team and make a difference. Explore rewarding career opportunities and embark on a fulfilling journey with us today.