[Hiring] Community First Responder @South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust

Role Description

Exciting Volunteering opportunities have arisen to join South Western Ambulance NHS Foundation Trust to become a Community First Responder in Gloucestershire.

We welcome applicants from Gloucestershire; however, we are particularly interested in people from the following areas:

• Bourton on the Water
• Cirencester
• Chipping Campden
• Fairford
• Lechlade-on-Thames
• Moreton in Marsh
• Newent
• Stow on the Wold
• Tetbury

A Community First Responder (CFR) is a trained volunteer who responds to patients in their community. They attend emergency calls on behalf of South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust to provide patient care, including basic life support and defibrillation skills, until the arrival of an emergency ambulance.

If you do not live in one of these areas but are still interested in becoming a CFR, we operate two Community First Responder cars based at Staverton Ambulance Station in Gloucester and Chipping Camden in the North Cotswolds. The cars are used to respond to patients in and around all areas of Gloucestershire, which is booked out by CFRs in advance.

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 South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust.

It is vital you include what would make you an 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 shortlisted.

Should you wish to respond from your workplace as well as or instead of your home address, please detail this in the additional information section.

When applying, please be aware that you must be able to attend the following interview dates and all five days of the training course:

• Interviews are scheduled to be held during the week commencing Monday 30th November 2026 at the below address:
• Staverton Station, Commercial Road, Ashville Business Park, Cheltenham Road East, Churchdown, GL2 9QL.
• The training course is scheduled to be held in SkillZone, Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service, Tuffley Lane, Gloucester, GL4 0AS on the below dates:
• Sunday 31st January 2027
• Saturday 6th February 2027
• Sunday 7th February 2027
• Saturday 13th February 2027
• Sunday 14th February 2027

Qualifications

• Good all-round education
• Full driving license held for at least one year, with no more than 6 current penalty points
• Access to a vehicle with current tax, MOT, and insurance

Requirements

• Must attend all training days
• Knowledge of the role and South Western Ambulance NHS Foundation Trust
• Attain the Level 3 Award for First Responders on Scene during training

Benefits

• Opportunity to meet new people
• Learn valuable lifesaving skills
• Equipped with the skills, resources, and development needed to thrive in the role