About this role
Job summary
Exciting volunteering opportunities have arisen within South Western Ambulance NHS Foundation Trust for Community First Responders to join Community First Responder schemes across Bristol & Somerset.
We are particularly interested in the following areas.
Primary recruitment areas:
Minehead (Joining Community Response Vehicle based at Minehead ambulance station) Nailsea (Joining Community Response Vehicle based at Nailsea ambulance station) Secondary priority areas:
Williton Dulverton Porlock Wells A CFR scheme is made up of a group of trained volunteers who within the community in which they live or work attend emergency calls on behalf of SWAST to provide patient care, including basic life support, until the arrival of an emergency ambulance
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. Candidates will be required to attain the Level 3 Award for First Responders on Scene during training in order to complete the recruitment process.
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 SWAST.
It is vital you include what would make you a 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, detail this in the additional information section.
Please be aware that you must be able to attend the following in person interview dates and all six days of training course:
Interviews are scheduled in person at Bridgewater ambulance station on the 9th and 11th December 2026.
The six day (two long weekends) training course is scheduled to be held at a location TBC on the below dates:
Weekend 1: Friday 19th February 2027, Saturday 20th February 2027, Sunday 21st February 2027
Weekend 2: Friday 5th March 2027, Saturday 6th March 2027, Sunday 7th March 2027
IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO MAKE ALL OF THE TRAINING DAYS DO NOT APPLY FOR THIS INTAKE. FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES MAY ARISE IN YOUR AREA IN THE NEAR FUTURE
About us
At South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) we have a culture where everyone is valued for being themselves. Our aim is to work together to promote the most inclusive environment possible, which attracts people from the widest range of backgrounds and experiences to enrich the work that we do together, for the benefit of all of our employees, our patients and the communities we serve. We offer flexible working opportunities, inclusive policies and a range of feedback mechanisms to support individuals and to enable a positive, welcoming environment where our people and their careers can thrive in.
We employ over 5,000 employees mainly clinical, operational and emergency response staff as well as supporting roles. We also employ Doctors and volunteers which include community first responders and fire co-responders.
We take all the steps needed to provide the most compassionate patient care possible whilst also providing an enjoyable and safe place to work. We actively promote a positive set of behaviours as being key to our performance both individually and collectively. Our recruitment, selection and screening processes are designed to uphold these standards and we invite all our candidates to actively share with us through these processes how they will bring these behaviours to life.
To view the Trust's Mission, Vision, Values and Goals clickhere
Job description Job responsibilities
This advert does not cover:
Bath & North East Somerset - Apply via Wiltshire CFR advert South Gloucestershire / North Bristol - Apply via the Gloucestershire advert For further information about this role please see attached the job description and person specification attached.
This voluntary 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.More information is available in the video above and on our website:Our Volunteers | SWAST Website
Any questions get in touch using the details below Sam England Mobile 07977 352095 Email [email protected]
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 Bristol & Somerset
Bristol & Somerset
BS5 0DA
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.swast.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)