Wales has a strong tradition of people helping one another out. From picking up the phone to speaking to someone self-isolating to helping our public services. There are lots of things that you can do to help.
If you’d like to volunteer your time and skills, we want you to be safe.
Here are 5 simple things you can do:
- Be safe and healthy – Before you even think about volunteering, you should only volunteer if you are well and have no symptoms like a cough or high temperature and nobody in your household does. You shouldn’t volunteer if you are over 70, are pregnant or have a pre-existing health condition, which makes you vulnerable to COVID-19. No one should be put under pressure to participate. Read the guidance on staying at home if you are showing symptoms of COVID-19 or living with someone who is.
- Help from your own home – You can also help people from your own home – on the phone or via social media. Just saying hello and regularly checking in over the phone is really important. You can check in on your neighbours and support one another but make sure you’re safe online.
- Sign up as a volunteer – You can join a local volunteer organisation through your county voluntary council or sign up on Volunteering Wales where you can search for opportunities such as a volunteer shopper, a delivery volunteer or befriending over the phone. Once you’ve registered your interest to become a volunteer you’ll be sent opportunities that match what you want to do. Organisations who need volunteer support can also post opportunities on Volunteering Wales.
- Get involved in community action – You can set up or be part of a new community group that is responding to COVID-19. If you are doing this make sure you put systems and processes in place to safeguard people and volunteers from abuse and harm. Third Sector Support Wales provides tips to get you started.
- Read guidance on volunteering safely – Read the guidance on community response to COVID-19 – enabling safe and effective practice where you will find guidance to help you to help others safely.
There are now thousands of local groups across the country. Find your local support group.
