TCV’s volunteering activities have resumed again, dependent on local circumstances and COVID-19 guidance. Find your local office here to see what sessions are currently running.
We know that TCV volunteers may want to help their communities. Here’s how you can volunteer to help and support others during the coronavirus pandemic.
Volunteering and coronavirus – how can you help?
Here’s how you can volunteer to help and support others during the coronavirus (covid-19) pandemic.
Look out for your neighbours
The simplest thing everyone can do right now is look out for their neighbours and offer help with shopping and other errands.
Other people in the community who might also appreciate help are:
- stretched medical staff and volunteers
- staff and volunteers in key worker roles
- supermarket workers
- delivery drivers.
Stay safe when supporting others
- Keep washing your hands often for 20 seconds.
- Stay at least two metres – about three steps – away from people you’re helping.
- If you’re trying to help someone with very serious issues – don’t be afraid to flag with appropriate statutory services.
- Support family, friends and neighbours by phone or video call.
- Offer to run errands for people but stay outside of people’s homes.
- Let family and friends know what you’re doing.
- Don’t take on too much – it’s often better not to offer at all than to let someone down.
Volunteer with organisations providing support
Charities are working with the government and local authorities to create ways for people to get involved.
Here are a few suggestions:
- If you don’t have a particular charity you want to support in your local area, contact your local Volunteer Centre, search online for your area’s CVS, or visit the Do-it website. They can help you find out where your help is most urgently needed.
- You can sign up to NHS Volunteer Responders who are supporting the NHS during the covid-19 outbreak. This is to support the 1.5m people in England at most risk from the virus to stay well. Once you’ve registered and checks are complete – you’ll be provided a log-in to the GoodSAM Responder app. Switch the app to ‘on duty’ and you’ll see live and local volunteer tasks to pick from near you.
Support for volunteers
We also know that some TCV volunteers might need help or support themselves. There are many organisations that can provide advice or support at this time. The list below gives the phone numbers and websites of the organisations that may be able to provide you with the help you need.
Domestic violence issues and concerns
If you or anyone you know requires advice and assistance about Domestic Abuse you can contact the organisations below
- women can call The Freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline, run by Refuge on 0808 2000 247 for free at any time, day or night. The staff will offer confidential, non-judgemental information and support
- men can call Men’s Life Advice on 0808 8010 327 (Monday and Wednesday, 9am to 8pm, and Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 9am to 5pm) for non-judgemental information and support
Advice about benefits, housing & employment
If you require information and advice about benefits, housing or employment contact the citizens advice bureau. They also have specific advice concerning these issues and Coronavirus
- Citizens Advice
- Coronavirus – being furloughed if you can’t work
- Coronavirus – check what benefits you can get
Helplines
These are just some of the helplines you can contact, for more helplines check the NHS website.
Support if you need someone to talk to
The Samaritans
Call for free on 116 123 / https://www.samaritans.org/
Anxiety UK
Charity providing support if you have been diagnosed with an anxiety condition.
Phone: 03444 775 774 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 10pm; Saturday to Sunday, 10am to 8pm) / www.anxietyuk.org.uk
Support for children
Childline
Call free on 0800 1111 /Childline coronavirus update
YoungMinds
Parents’ helpline 0808 802 5544 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4pm) www.youngminds.org.uk
Advice and Support for parents and carers
The NSPCC
Coronavirus (COVID-19) advice and support for parents and carers
CALM
CALM is the Campaign Against Living Miserably, for men aged 15 to 35.
Phone: 0800 58 58 58 (daily, 5pm to midnight) / www.thecalmzone.net
Advice and support around wellbeing
MIND
Coronavirus and your wellbeing
Mental Health
Support for older people
Age UK
Call free, confidential advice line on 0800 678 1602 www.ageuk.org.uk/
General information and advice about coronavirus
Latest government advice can be found at https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus