NHS and Care Volunteer Responders

Programme update – We can confirm the NHS and Care Volunteer Responders will be discontinuing.

In the face of a difficult financial situation the decision has been taken to end the NHS and Care Volunteer Responder service.

The service has made a significant difference to the NHS and the lives of hundreds of thousands of patients and vulnerable people across the country.  We are extremely proud of the difference we've made over the past 5 years and we want to recognise and thank our volunteers for their incredible commitment and compassion.   

Royal Voluntary Service / GoodSAM lock up logo

For people who need support

The last date for volunteers to complete tasks and support you will be 31 May 2025. After this date, please contact your GP or local services if you require support.

Whether you have been referred by a healthcare professional or if you requested help yourself, we hope that the volunteer support you received has made a positive difference to you.

For volunteers

There will be no more tasks available through the programme from 31 May 2025. We are incredibly grateful to our volunteers and want to thank you all for your commitment to the programme over the last 5 years.

For healthcare professionals

Any shifts or tasks that are dated after the 31 May will be removed and will not be completed.

See our frequently asked questions for more information on how the closure of the programme will impact you.

Over the last 5 years the programme has made a significant difference to the NHS and the lives of hundreds of thousands of patients and vulnerable people across the country, completing over 2,7 million tasks and shifts, including more than 1.1 million Telephone Support Calls, 1 million Community Response tasks, and more than 392,000 Steward shifts.

NHS and Care Volunteer Responders is a volunteering programme supporting NHS England delivered by Royal Voluntary Service and GoodSAM.