Job overview

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:

• Wincanton, Penselwood, Cucklington, Holton, Yarlington, Frome, Beckington, Dulverton, Watchet, Minehead, Wells, Shepton Mallet, Glastonbury, Langport, Pill, Portishead, Uphill, Weston Super Mare, Clevedon, Wedmore, Banwell, Thornbury, Olverston, Easter Compton, Chew Valley, Chew Magna, Chew Stoke, Blagdon, Wrington, Charterhouse, Rudgeway, Nether Stowey, Cheddar, Williton, Portlock

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 in the Bridgwater area the week on Thursday 3rd and Friday 4th July 2025. 

The four day (two weekends) training course is scheduled to be held in Bridgwater on the below dates:

Weekend 1:  9th & 10th August

Weened 2: 16th & 17th August 

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

This advert does not cover:

• Bath & North East Somerset  - Apply via Wiltshire CFR advert
• South Gloucestershire / North Bristol - Apply via the Gloucestershire advert

Working for our organisation

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 click here