Renfrewshire Council

With national and local partners, we would like to thank everyone who has signed up to volunteer and who are volunteering to support people at this time in neighbourhoods across Renfrewshire. 

Volunteers are playing a key role in helping support people through this pandemic and will continue to play a critical role as communities begin to reconnect, renew and recover in the months ahead. If you feel you can still help, the Engage Renfrewshire COVID 19 Volunteer Reserve Bank is still open.

On this page:

• Taking care of ourselves and others
• Volunteering
• Volunteering safely
• Local community groups
• Funds to help third sector organisations and community groups
• Where to find additional support

Taking care of ourselves and others

We know that many of you are ready and willing to support those who are experiencing hardship. There has been a tremendous outpouring of kindness from groups and individuals across Renfrewshire.

But it's important that you only help if you are well. 

To make sure you're up-to-date with the latest health advice, check here: NHS Inform website - Coronavirus (Covid-19).

Volunteering

Covid-19 Renfrewshire Volunteer Reserve

Volunteer roles emerging in Renfrewshire include:

• Food support
• Prescription delivery
• Care support
• Online / telephone support
• Administrative support

Apply to join the new Volunteer Reserve and you could be helping out in one of these roles when safe to do so.

Register your interest here: Engage Renfrewshire website.

British Red Cross

You can also help health and public services by volunteering to join the British Red Cross as a Community Reserve Volunteer.

You can sign up here: British Red Cross website.

NHS Careers

Many health and social care workers across Scotland are volunteering to return to work and help tackle this crisis.

You can join them by registering your interest here: NHS Careers Covid-19 Recruitment.

Volunteering safely

Before offering your support, please make sure it is safe for you to do so.  

Ready Scotland has some great safety guidance and planning tools: 

• Safety checklist 
• Creating a community emergency plan 

If you are involved in a local community group, we would encourage you look at our Information for Emerging Local Groups (see Related Documents or use the link below). This has the latest guidance from Engage Renfrewshire on how you can safely and responsibly carry out your support duties.

Covid-19 Information for Emerging Local Groups [91KB]

Please check the NHS Inform website for the latest guidance on infection control.

Local community groups

Renfrewshire-wide

Paisley

Renfrew

Johnstone and Elderslie

Erskine, Bishopton, Langbank & Inchinnan

Linwood, Houston, Brookfield, Bridge of Weir

Kilbarchan, Howwood & Lochwinnoch

Get in touch with us

Please use the Renfrewshire Community Planning digital channels to tell us, and each other, what you are doing to support your local community over the coming weeks and months.

Follow us on:

• Facebook
• Twitter
• E-mail

Where to find additional support

The following organisations and tools might be helpful:

• Engage Renfrewshire
• Ready Scotland
• Scottish Government Support for Third Sector
• Scottish Community Development Centre
• OSCR Scottish Charity Regulator: Covid-19 Guidance for Charities
• Foundation Scotland
• Community Councils Scotland
• Helpfulpeeps
• Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations
• National Lottery Community Fund
• COVID Mutual Aid
• Viral Kindness Postcard
• Befriending Networks: COVID-19 Support
• Recovery Across Mental Health (RAMH)
• Who Cares? Scotland: Coronavirus Support
• Inspiring Scotland: Free charity support service
• Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland: Fighting Coronavirus with Kindness
• Neighbourhood Watch Scotland
• RoSPA: Accident Free, Avoid A&E
• Food Standards Scotland: Food package provision during Covid-19
• Scotland Loves Local