Exciting volunteering opportunities have arisen within South Western Ambulance NHS Foundation Trust for Community First Responders to join Community First Responder schemes across North and East Devon.
We welcome applicants from across North and East Devon but specifically interested in expanding groups in the areas of
Axminster, Chumleigh, Combe Martin, Crediton, Hartland, Hatherleigh, Holsworthy, Lynton, Seaton, Wool coombe. We may consider applications from the following areas: Beaworthy, Braunton, Cheriton Fitzpaine, Cullompton, Culmstock, , High Bickington, , Honiton, Ilfracombe, Lynmouth, North Molton, Okehampton, Ottery St Mary, Shebbar, Sidmouth, South Molton, Tedburn St Mary, Torrington, Uffculme, Winkliegh, Witheridge, Yelland
A Community First Responder (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 South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust to provide patient care, including basic life support, until the arrival of an emergency ambulance clinician.
This voluntary role is highly rewarding and offers opportunities to meet new people and learn valuable lifesaving skills through the training provided by South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust.
As a volunteer and a member of a Community First Responder Scheme you would provide this community-based service willingly and without pay.
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.
Recruitment Will Take Place In Two Phases
Please note that when applying for this position, please be aware that you must be able to attend the following interview dates, and all of the days of training listed:
PHASE ONE – 17/12/25 – 14/02/25
Interviews week commencing 05/01/2025 (To include Interviews, HR checks)
There will then be
ONE COURSE
The six-day training course is scheduled to be held at Petroc Campus Barnstaple
- Weekend 1 = 21st and 22nd February 2026
- Weekend 2 = 28th February and 1st March 2026
- Weekend 3 = 7th and 8th of March 2026
You must attend all six dates
- If you are unable to make all of the training days please do not apply for this intake.
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
For further details / informal visits contact: Name: Nick Chown Job title: HR Services Officer Email address: nick.chown@swast.nhs.uk
