Peak District Volunteer Opportunities

Jan. 17, 2011 - PRLog -- Unfortunately, many volunteer groups in the area, including live-saving organizations, are facing a growing shortage of helpers.  

Bakewell First Responders is a group who support ambulance crews by providing first aid while patients wait for the paramedics to arrive.  The group was set up about ten years ago but now has dwindled to only two members, Dave Teare and Sarah Ashcroft.  They cover a five mile radius from the town itself.  Mr Teare has been in the Bakewell group since it started and is also one of the PCSOs for the town.  He feels many people have a lack of time and so don’t want to commit.  However, he also said, “People can work as often as they want to and choose the times they have available.  There is no criteria that we do set hours.”  First Responders are trained to deal with emergency issues such as cardiac arrest, diabetic emergency, unconscious patients, breathing difficulties, and seizures.  First Responders fill in the gap from the time the emergency call is received to the time the ambulance arrives.  Mr Teare says, “I always think that one day it could be me and for the sake of five or ten minutes someone can turn up with the right training that could prompt my recovery.  I believe there is a chip in everyone that likes helping others.  It is such a joy to be able to assist, you can’t describe it.”  New recruits are given training by St John Ambulance.

Matlock is also looking for recruits for its First Responders, being ten years strong as well.  There are currently six members on the team, three of whom come from the same family—Terry, Carol, and daughter Nikki Gregory.  This family have been providing 24-hour cover seven days a week for five years, as well as holding down their own jobs, along with group coordinator Steve Holt.  However, service development manager for Matlock’s British Red Cross, Helen Vine, says more helpers are needed.  She added, “We could also do with more volunteers.  Members have the satisfaction that they are saving people’s lives and giving something back to the local community.”

The Volunteer Centre Derbyshire Dales, which has a base at the Agricultural Business Centre in Bakewell has many volunteering opportunities as well, including fundraising, befriending, and organizing events, according to Sam Tock.  People can even volunteer from their home, doing such things as transcribing and working on climate change research.  Mr Tock said, “The reasons people want to volunteer are as individual as the people themselves.  It can be to enhance their skills, gain new skills, build confidence, get out and meet new people or just being able to do something worthwhile with their time.”

To volunteer, contact Sam at sam@vcdd.org.uk or call 011629 810907.  For the Bakewell First Responders, call St John Ambulance base in Chesterfield on 01246 200272 or stop in to  the Bakewell Police Station to speak to Dave Teare.  For Matlock First Responders call Red Cross House in Matlock Green on 01629 582171.

Check http://www.peakdistrictonline.co.uk for more information

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