About this role
Job summary
"Exciting Volunteering opportunities have arisen to join South Western Ambulance NHS Foundation Trustto become a Community First Responder in Gloucestershire"
We welcome applicants from Gloucestershire; however we are particularly interested in people from the following areas:
Bourton on the Water, Cirencester, Chipping Campden, Fairford, Lechlade-on-Thames, Moreton in Marsh, Newent, Stow on the Wold, Tetbury.
A Community First Responder (CFR) is a trained volunteer who responds to patients in their community in which they live or work. They attend emergency calls on behalf of South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust to provide patient care, including basic life support and Defibrillation skills, until the arrival of an emergency ambulance.
If you do not live in one of these areas but you are still interested in becoming a CFR, we operate two Community First Responder cars which are based at Staverton Ambulance Station in Gloucester and Chipping Camden in the North Cotswolds. The cars are used to respond to patients in and around all areas of Gloucestershire which is booked out by CFR's in advance.
Main duties of the job
As a volunteer and a member of a Community First Responder Scheme you would provide this community based service willingly and without pay. This role is highly rewarding and offers opportunities to meet new people and learn valuable lifesaving skills through the training provided by South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust.
It is vital you include what would make you an exceptional Community First Responder and how you meet the person specification for the role.
Please be aware, if there is not currently a Community First Responder scheme running within a 3 mile radius of your home postcode you may not be short listed.
Should you wish to respond from your work place as well as or instead of your home address, please detail this in the additional information section.
When applying, please be aware that you mustbe able to attend the following interview dates and all five days of the training course.
Interviews are scheduled to be held during the week commencingMonday 30th November 2026at the below address.
Staverton Station, Commercial Road, Ashville Business Park, Cheltenham Road East, Churchdown, GL2 9QL.
The training course is scheduled to be held in SkillZone, Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service, Tuffley Lane, Gloucester, GL4 0AS on the below dates:
Sunday 31st January 2027 Saturday 6th February 2027 Sunday 7th February 2027 Saturday 13th February 2027 Sunday 14th February 2027
About us
Volunteering for us is an experience like no other. We provide emergency and urgent care, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, operating across the largest ambulance region in England of 10,000 square miles and responding to an average of 2,650 incidents every day.
We remain committed to ensuring that we provide the best possible care for all our patients, which is reflected in our new five-year strategy which has continually improving patient care at its very core.
At the heart of our beautiful and diverse region we employ over 6000 people and are supported by over 575 volunteers.
If you embody our values of one team, compassionate and innovative and are looking to make a real difference to peoples' lives, then we would love to hear from you.
In return we will equip you with the skills, resources and development you need to thrive in your role.
Job description Job responsibilities
If you are unable to make all of the above training days please do not apply for this intake.
Applicants will have a good all round education; a full driving license held for at least one year, with no more than 6 current penalty points and have access to a vehicle with current tax, MOT and insurance for your use. Following shortlisting, applicants will be invited to attend a formal interview whereby they will be expected to have some knowledge of the role and South Western Ambulance NHS Foundation Trust. This information can be found on the South Western Ambulance NHS Foundation Trust website.
Candidates will be required to attain the Level 3 Award for First Responders on Scene during training in order to complete the recruitment process
For further information about this role please see attached the job description and person specification attached.
Person Specification
Education and qualifications Essential
Full driving licence held for at least one year, with no more than 6 current penalty points. Have a vehicle with current tax, MOT and insurance for your use.
Desirable
Current advanced driving qualification. Up to date First Aid Qualification.
Previous experience (Paid/ Unpaid relevant to role) Essential
Previous experience (Paid/ Unpaid relevant to role)
Desirable
Previous experience (Paid/ Unpaid relevant to role)
Skills, knowledge, ability Essential
Commitment to volunteering for a minimum of 12 hours a week.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details Employer name South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
Address Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire
GL2 9QL
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.swast.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)