As a member of the University community, here’s how you can volunteer to help and support others during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. #TeamWorc #Volunteering
#here2help-hands-up

Volunteers are making an invaluable contribution to health, education and charities across Worcestershire and the UK. Here are just some of the ways you can give your free time to help others. 

Local volunteer opportunities

  • Here2Help Worcestershire is a campaign co-ordinated by Worcestershire County Council. You can find out more on the council webpages.
  • NHS Volunteer Responders are a new group that's been set up to carry out simple, non-medical tasks to support vulnerable people in England. Find out more and register as a volunteer responder.   
  • Worcester Foodbank have committed to keep working to feed the hungry during the coronavirus outbreak. They've written about 3 ways you can support the foodbank.
  • Worcestershire Acute Hospitals are looking for support and volunteers to help with the running of local hospitals
  • Blood donation centres are still open and extra safety measures are in place. Giving blood and platelets is essential to the NHS and vulnerable patients. See how to become a blood donor
  • Covid Mutual Aid UK are supporting local community groups organising mutual aid throughout the coronavirus outbreak. Find a group in your area via their live group listing.
  • Reach Volunteering match people with specialist professional skills, such IT expertise, to charities who need their help. Register your skills and see all Reach Volunteering opportunities.

We also encourage you to keep supporting the causes you care about. All charities are going to be stretched at this time, with lots of fundraising events cancelled and many volunteers forced to stay at home. Now more than ever your donations will help.

Look out for your neighbours

One of the simplest things you can do right now is look out for your neighbours and offer help with shopping and other errands. It's not just about neighbours who are self-isolating or vulnerable. 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.

Keep yourself safe when helping

  1. Let family and friends know what you’re doing.
  2. Support family, friends and neighbours by phone or video call.
  3. Stay at least two metres - about three steps - away from people you’re helping.
  4. Offer to run errands for people but stay outside of people’s homes.
  5. Keep washing your hands often for 20 seconds.
  6. Don’t take on too much - it's often better not to offer at all than to let someone down.
  7. If you’re trying to help someone with very serious issues – don’t be afraid to flag with appropriate statutory services.

Let us know what you're doing

We'd love to hear about all the ways in which students and staff are helping out at this time. Share your stories on social media using the hashtags #TeamWorc #Volunteering or email communications@worc.ac.uk.

Log your hours

As a student you can log your hours through the Students' Union.  This lets us keep track of all the fantastic work your are doing and your volunteering record will be put on your degree transcript when you graduate.