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.
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
A full driving licence (held for a minimum of 12 months)
Access to a private vehicle
The right to work in the UK
Good interpersonal and communication skills
The ability to accurately observe and record information
The ability to take the lead and remain calm in pressured situations
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.
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?
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
If you are shortlisted, you will then be invited for an interview where we can find out more about you and you about us.
If successful, you will be invited to an initial four-day training course. This leads to a nationally recognised Level 3 FutureQuals qualification.
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.
