Access to Wheelchairs during Covid-19

British Red Cross service is currently recruiting volunteers for their Mobility Aids service.

Despite the current Covid-19 pandemic, the British Red Cross are still operating to hire wheelchairs to those in need. The use of a wheelchair can make a huge difference to someone recovering from an accident or has reduced mobility due to an illness.  It can allow someone to remain independent, speed up their recovery time as well as to improve mental health and wellbeing.

Geoff Cheshire, the mobility aids operations manager for the British Red Cross said: “No one should have to stay in hospital for lack of a wheelchair or other mobility aid.

“The lack of a mobility aid can prevent someone from doing even simple tasks around the house, let alone enjoying some meaningful exercise, indoors or out, popping to the supermarket or picking up a prescription”

“Those concerns can be the difference between someone having to stay in hospital or being able to return home, and we want clinicians and emergency responders embedded in communities to know we are here to support them.”

This service relies on volunteers who provide advice and support to people who need to hire a wheelchair for short term use and making sure they know how to operate them safely.  Due to the pandemic, their current deployable volunteers have decreased meaning some areas aren’t able to operate normal hours.

Their Bedford MK42 0NY branch has now opened and is currently recruiting for Customer Service Volunteers to help.   

You will find the volunteering opportunity on our Simply Connect online site where you can express an interest at any time and someone from British Red Cross in Bedford will get back to you. If you need support to register or use Simply Connect, then email us at volunteering@cvsbeds.org.uk, or call 01234 354366.

British Red Cross, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Essex:
Mobility Aids Customer Service Bedford

This is a very rewarding role providing much-needed support for people who are accessing our service. Based at one of our mobility aids spoke locations, the main element of the role is serving the public who require a wheelchair or other mobility aids equipment. This is the ideal role for someone who enjoys meeting people, can show compassion and empathy and who likes administrative duties with a customer service perspective.  We are interested in applicants who can commit to volunteering four hours a week on a weekday (daytime shifts Monday to Friday, 1000-1400) on a regular basis with a six month commitment. This is due to the fact we invest a lot into the training and onboarding of our volunteers. 

If you would like to find out more about volunteering for their Mobility Aids Service you can also:

visit www.redcross.org.uk/wheelchairvolunteer

email wheelchairvolunteer@redcross.org.uk or

call 03000 040309.