More volunteers are needed in the Causeway Counil area, according to the Covid-19 Community Support Group.
The support group has made a call for people able to do shopping runs, prescription runs, post runs, friendly phone calls and tailored support in areas in and around Portrush, Portstewart, Ballycastle, Coleraine and Limavady.
You can register here.
The coronavirus pandemic has shown community spirit is alive and well in Northern Ireland.
Whether it is picking up the telephone to an elderly person living on their own or volunteering to help keep essential services open.
Every day more stories emerge of community groups, church groups, businesses and individuals helping out those in need.
Thousands have already signed up.
If you feel you are in a position to offer your services or the services of your business but are unsure of the best way to go about it then here are some organisations matching volunteers to voluntary work and who are keeping the safety of volunteers at the forefront of their efforts.
Organisations through which you can volunteer safely include:
Volunteer Now
Volunteer Now has had about 3,000 registrations since it launched a new online portal #HelpEachOther to support those who wish to volunteer for COVID-19 related tasks. It also encourages organisations to register their specific virus related, safe opportunities which will then be promoted to people who would like to help.
At the moment examples of opportunities include:
- Picking up and delivering shopping.
- Delivering meals.
- Telephone befriending.
- Check-in by phone for people who may need it.
- Essential public and voluntary services volunteers for supporting essential care to help a vulnerable person or person(s), with organisations such as food banks, homeless services, and blood donation sessions.
Denise Hayward, Chief Executive, Volunteer Now said:
“Since launching the campaign we have seen a massive uplift with around 3,000 people throughout Northern Ireland registering to volunteer.
A big thank you to all the people who have registered and also to those out there, in their communities up and down the country, already volunteering either through organisations or local groups or just informally being good neighbours and good friends.
You can register at www.volunteernow.co.uk
Business in the Community NI
This organisation has built a hub for businesses, communities, schools, parents and individuals with useful information and links.
It also offers an insight into what local businesses across the spectrum are doing to support the fight against the spread of coronavirus plus the treatment of patients.
The hub contains information on companies which are recruiting and if you want to get involved in helping out in the community there are links to the relevant organisations.
So far since launching, Business in the Community’s National Business Response Network initiative has matched 88 business resources with community needs.
Visit: https://www.bitcni.org.uk/taking-action-supporting-need/
CommunityNI
NICVA has repurposed CommunityNI, an existing hub for the voluntary and community sector, to allow organisations to list their support efforts in a centralised and structured database that can be used by anyone looking for support, and to help in the coordination of interventions across Northern Ireland.
Community NI asks that organisations only add services once they have considered the risk to staff, volunteers and beneficiaries.
Interested organisations should complete this form.
The Crisis Cover Initiative
A number of homeless and disability organisations have come together to urge the public to become ‘ordinary heroes’ to prevent services to vulnerable people from having to shut their doors during the coronavirus pandemic.
Under the umbrella of the Crisis Cover Initiative, organisations including Depaul, Novas, Dublin Simon, Walk, Sophia Housing, and others are asking members of the public with relevant qualifications and experience to add their name to a list of people who may be called on to step up where staff levels in services become depleted by personnel having to take time off.
David Carroll, CEO of Depaul said: "We need people to step up and become ordinary heroes. We know it’s asking a lot, but it’s no more than we are asking of doctors, nurses, Gardai and others who have to go to work every day at this difficult time”
By completing their survey you are signing up to be called up and offered relief work.
It is across-border initiative and in Northern Ireland is funded by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.
For more information clicke here.
PPE supplies or services
It's not just unpaid work that is being looked for. The government and CBI are calling out for help from businesses to produce PPE supplies and for more frontline workers.
The Northern Ireland Civil Service is creating a central database of offers from organisations, businesses and publicly-funded and voluntary bodies (including educational institutions) who wish to offer PPE supplies or services to help respond to COVID-19.
Can you supply PPR Equipment, PPE services, Manufacturing, Accomodation? Then fill out this form.
HSC Workforce Appeal
The most publicised appeal for help has been from Health Minister Robin Swann.
Within 24 hours of launching over 4,000 people responded to a recruitment drive to boost healthcare numbers.
“Our message to people across all the staff groups is simple and urgent – Northern Ireland needs you.” Mr Swann said.
The HSC Workforce Appeal is in addition to other initiatives to enhance the workforce, including the deployment of final-year nursing, midwifery, medical and social work students ahead of schedule.
Plans are also being extended to invite second-year nursing, midwifery, physio, radiography and occupational therapy students to also help support care delivery.
The workforce appeal is also keen to attract non-clinical workers to fill a range of paid vacancies, including porters, catering staff, cleaning and domestic services staff, laundry staff, ICT professionals, finance and payroll, call handlers, drivers, electricians, plumbers, joiners, warehousing and maintenance staff.
For more information, visit www.hscworkforceappeal.co.uk
NB If you are an organisation appealing for volunteers and would like to be listed here please contact: digital.editorial@irishnews.com
