People across Falkirk district can volunteer - but best advice is to stay at home

While the NHS still says the most important way for the public to help is to stay at home, people who are healthy and not at risk can volunteer to provide practical or emotional help to those most in need.

Many community groups have already sprung into action to make sure that food and other essentials reach the most vulnerable – but this initiative aims to bring together individuals who want to help, community groups, charities, local authorities and the NHS.

Andrew Murray, NHS Forth Valley’s medical director, said: “We have been really touched by the level of support we have received from local people, businesses and community groups across Forth Valley over the last few weeks.

“Hundreds of people have volunteered to help and I’d like to encourage anyone who is interested in supporting the NHS, local councils or charities to sign up to the new Scotland Cares campaign on the Ready Scotland website.”

This will mean they have will have a national database of people who are able to volunteer quickly.

Those wanting to volunteer to support their communities have three options – help the NHS, help social care services or volunteer with a charity or community group.

The British Red Cross will co-ordinate NHS and care volunteers while Volunteer Scotland will direct people looking to help a charity or community group.

Launching the campaign, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “We know there are a huge number of people who are already volunteering and many more with a desire to help their communities, public services and voluntary organisations and, for, that we are incredibly grateful.

“This site means that those who are able to can contribute in a way which makes a real difference. It helps people to help each other as we all get through this together.”

However, Dr Graham Foster, director of public health for Forth Valley NHS, said people should not worry if they can’t volunteer to help.

He said: “People are asking what they can do to help and that’s great – but the very best way you can help just now is staying at home. The biggest thing you can do to support the NHS staff is just stay at home and follow the advice – that will reduce the pressure on GP surgeries and on the acute hospital.

“We all want to thank the NHS staff for their work but if we don’t stay at home and we allow the virus to spread then their hard work will all have been for nothing.”

Those who cannot leave their homes can still sign up to provide telephone support.

The website www.ReadyScotland.org is being constantly updated and provides advice on volunteering safely and the organisations to register an interest with such as Volunteer Scotland and the Red Cross.