THE Mail’s readers have spoken out about why they have decided to volunteer their time to help support the NHS and other support services in the community.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock last week said that a total of 560,000 members of the public have now answered the Government’s call for volunteers to aid the NHS.

Mr Hancock tweeted: “NEWS: Fantastic that 560,000 people have now responded to our call to volunteer to support our NHS to defeat #Coronavirus.”

The volunteers will e used to help deliver food and vital medicines to those in need, as well as driving patients to appointments, and phoning those who are isolated.

The scheme has been designed to help relieve pressure on the NHS, which is something many community groups across the country are already doing off their own back.

There has been a number of people from the Barrow and Furness region thta have volunteered to help their community, and this is why they decided to do it:

Tracy Myers said: “I’m a senior carer for a nursing home I work two days a week and I am at home the rest of the time with my family.

“So I wanted to offer my services while this epidemic is happening even if it is just a phone call to the venerable people to check they ok and if need anything just so they don’t think they alone.”

Marion Brockbanks said: “ I’m a carer, I work two nights a week and would like to help out wherever I can with the free time I have.”

Johan Donaldson said: “I really just wanted to help my community and the NHS in any way I can.

“If I can be useful and make a difference in a small way, then it has got to be good.”

Adel Groundwater said: “I have total respect with everyone who has managed to keep working and helping everyone whilst risking their own health.

“I only see my role as small, but every little helps.

“If anyone is able to help out where they can then they should.

“I always help others where I can and would like to think they would do the same.

“This is bringing us together whilst we are apart.”

The volunteer scheme works through an application on a mobile phone mainly.

GoodSAM app is being used to help recruit around a quarter of a million volunteers for the NHS during the coronavirus outbreak.

The digital tool is usually used to alert those with medical training to nearby emergencies so that potentially life-saving interventions can be given before the arrival of emergency services.

However, the app is now being used to help recruit volunteers for the NHS by helping people offer their services to people in need.