Stevenson Calls for Healthy Scottish Volunteers

Stewart Stevenson MSP has urged healthy people in Scotland to volunteer to support vulnerable people in the North-east during the coronavirus pandemic.

People are being asked to go to the Ready Scotland website if they wish to provide practical or emotional help.

The drive is the focus of the Scottish government's new Scotland Cares campaign.

While the most important ask for the public remains to stay at home and follow the essential public health guidance, people who are healthy and not at risk can volunteer to provide practical or emotional help to those most in need.

Those wanting to volunteer to support their communities have three options which are signposted from the Ready Scotland website:

• returning NHS workers will be directed to existing voluntary arrangements in NHS Scotland
• people wishing to offer their support to our public services, including the NHS and local authorities, will be directed to a site coordinated by the British Red Cross
• those looking for opportunities with other charities or community groups in their area will be directed to Volunteer Scotland for information

Commenting, Stewart Stevenson MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast said:

“The last few weeks have been challenging for us all, yet the community spirit and desire of local people to help has in itself been unprecedented and once again shows our heart as a nation.

“Today the Scottish Government have launched a campaign calling on ordinary people who want to share their kindness with others to register as a Community Reserve Volunteer (CRV) and be part of Scotland-wide preparations to protect the NHS, support people in need and help save lives.

“While not everyone will be able to volunteer, through the readyscotland.org website, we can connect people to where their contribution is most needed locally.

“It is important to remember that the most helpful thing many of us can continue to do to help the NHS is to stay at home and follow all COVID-19 guidance.”