Coronavirus: Police appeal for former officers and specials to return as volunteers

Leicestershire Police said it had already been contacted by a number of ex-employees offering to help, as well as partner organisations and community groups wanting to give their assistance.

The outbreak is affecting people across the force area and police want people to work together to keep communities safe across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

Anyone interested in volunteering in the Melton borough community can get in touch by emailing [email protected] including their name, where they live, a phone number, email address and any skills, experience or qualifications which they’ve used to help support others.

Those who have previously worked for Leicestershire Police are also asked to provide their collar number and details of when they left the force.

The appeal comes as a remarkable 750,000 have volunteered their services across the UK to support the NHS as it battles with the coronavirus pandemic.

Volunteers are sought to support up to 1.5 million people who have been asked to shield themselves from coronavirus because of underlying health conditions.

People can become an NHS Volunteer Responder by visiting goodsamapp.org/NHS and adding their details to the NHS section.

The scheme is not intended to replace local groups helping their vulnerable neighbours but is an additional service provided by the NHS.

Andy Williams, joint chief executive of the Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, said: “Coronavirus is the biggest challenge we have ever faced, which is why the call has gone out, nationally and locally, to the public: your NHS needs you.

“In these extraordinary times, it’s essential that we all pull together to protect the most vulnerable, reduce pressures on our NHS and care system and save lives.

“Across the country people are playing their part in the fight against the virus by staying at home to protect themselves, others and the NHS.

“I would urge anyone who can to sign up to volunteer, whether that’s as an NHS Volunteer Responder or through local schemes.”

Locally, Leicestershire County Council has joined voices with Voluntary Action Leicestershire (VAL) to build up a bank of volunteers to join with Voluntary and Community Sector partners in supporting people across the county.

To help people stay in their homes volunteers are needed to support people with things like dog walking for vulnerable people unable to get out themselves, providing a friendly phone call service to help people isolated or at risk of loneliness, or to pick up shopping for those that can’t do it easily themselves.

County council leader Nick Rushton said: “Volunteers play a huge part in our communities and the support of volunteers is particularly critical now.

“It is really encouraging that so many people are coming forward to help others at this time of crisis.”

County Hall has also announced a £1million hardship fund to enable local voluntary and community groups supporting vulnerable people to keep on providing essential support to people who are self-isolating and reducing social contact.

If you are a local organisation looking to find volunteers or want to volunteer yourself for the local VAL scheme you can do so by completing a simple form on the VAL website: www.volunteerleicestershire.org.uk/covid-19 by emailing [email protected] or by calling 0116 257 5050.

An appeal has also been sounded by Network Rail in Melton and other parts of the East Midlands for former professional signallers to come forward to ensure the railways keep running during the crisis.

This will allow key workers such as doctors and nurses to continue travelling to work and means vital food and medical supplies can be transported across the country via freight services.

Whilst the railway is currently performing well, it is important to prepare for the next few weeks, and former signallers can provide crucial cover if some members of the workforce need to self-isolate.

Chris Gee, head of operations (Eastern region) for Network Rail, said: “We are working hard to keep vital services in place so these key workers can get to their jobs and keep food and medical supplies across the country moving.

“We are appealing for signallers who’ve retired, moved on to other careers at Network Rail or left the railway to come back and help us keep signal boxes and control centres open.

“Signallers are crucial to keep the railway open and we need more former workers to help us provide back-up if some of our staff can’t come to work. Full re-training will be given.”

Email [email protected] if you are a former professional signaller interested in helping.