Thousands of volunteers have been supporting efforts to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic through the National Volunteer Co-ordination (NVC) hub established a year ago.
The NVC hub was established by the Scottish Government and NHS Scotland last February. Run by the British Red Cross, it has so far provided more than 7,000 individual volunteer shifts over that period, totalling more 54,000 volunteering hours.
This has complemented the major contribution of community volunteering organised by third sector interfaces (TSIs), NHS volunteers and others across the country, towards the national COVID response effort over the past two years.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf met with volunteers in Edinburgh today who have helped carry out a range of roles, including support with vaccination, community testing and shielding support, as well as shopping, prescription delivery and social contact.
Mr Yousaf said: “Volunteers have played an essential role in helping to deal with the impact of the pandemic on communities all over Scotland – in many ways they are the unsung heroes of our collective effort.
“The contribution they make, from providing necessary support for shielders and maintaining vital human contact at the start of the pandemic, to assisting the roll-out of the vaccination campaign and handing out COVID test kits, has been pivotal to our collective response. They typify the incredible spirit we have seen throughout the pandemic from communities across Scotland and the individuals and organisations working within them.
“The creation of the NVC hub has ensured that volunteering support is targeted to areas where it is most needed – and participation levels have been remarkable.
“It has complemented the vital role played by a wide range of local community groups and individuals. We owe all volunteers a huge debt of gratitude for their efforts.”
And NHS volunteers have provided 52,000 volunteering hours to Health Boards across the country the last quarter of last year, alone.
Alan Stevenson, CEO, Volunteer Scotland: “Volunteers have given enormous support to others throughout this pandemic and in doing so, mitigated some of its worst effects.
“They’ve provided the response our society needed at that time, from being the first to react – delivering food, prescriptions and social connection – to helping provide successful national testing and vaccination programmes. As Volunteers address the long-lasting impact of COVID-19, largely for the most vulnerable in society, they will need our support and recognition.”
Anyone interested in volunteering or seeking assistance can contact the National Volunteer Co-ordination Hub.
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