Consider volunteering opportunities in the NHS
Cramlington and Killingworth MP Emma Foody spoke in Parliament yesterday about the work of volunteers in the NHS and urged people to consider the opportunities available.
Ms Foody, who remains a volunteer NHS Community First Responder for the North East Ambulance Service, spoke about the vital role volunteers place and encouraged others to consider taking up opportunities.
Speaking during a Commons statement, Emma Foody MP reflected on her own experience as a community first responder and asked the Minister to safeguard opportunities for continued volunteering within the NHS.
“I echo the comments made today about the huge contribution that volunteers make up and down the country, helping and supporting NHS staff, day in, day out,” Foody told the House.
“I declare a bit of an interest, as someone who similarly started their volunteer journey with the responders programme and continues now as a community first responder with my local ambulance service.
“Can the Minister reassure me that those who wish to continue to play their part and to carry on volunteering in other ways with the NHS can do so? Will she join me in taking the opportunity to encourage those who are interested in volunteering to check for opportunities with their local trusts?”
In response, Karin Smyth, Minister of State for Secondary Care, responded:
“I am pleased to hear that that is how my hon. Friend started her journey, and I am so impressed that she is continuing to do that. I was out with the ambulance service last week talking to staff, who highly praised those community first responders. The work that she and others are doing is valuable, and I know she will continue to use that knowledge to feed into the work we want to do in the future.”
Speaking after the exchange, the Cramlington and Killingworth MP said:
“Volunteers make every single day, I know how crucial it is that we continue to value and invest in our volunteers within the NHS who support staff in providing care, comfort, and capacity where it’s most needed.
“I strongly encourage anyone interested to explore how they can get involved with their local NHS trust. Whether it’s joining a response team or simply lending a friendly ear — there’s a role for everyone”