“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 in which they live or work. 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 you are still interested in becoming a CFR, we operate two Community First Responder cars which are 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 CFR’s 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 short listed.
Should you wish to respond from your work place 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 30 th 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 31 st January 2027
Saturday 6 th February 2027
Sunday 7 th February 2027
Saturday 13 th February 2027
Sunday 14 th February 2027
Volunteering for us is an experience like no other. We provide emergency and urgent care, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, operating across the largest ambulance region in England of 10,000 square miles and responding to an average of 2,650 incidents every day.
We remain committed to ensuring that we provide the best possible care for all our patients, which is reflected in our new five-year strategy which has continually improving patient care at its very core.
At the heart of our beautiful and diverse region we employ over 6000 people and are supported by over 575 volunteers.
If you embody our values of one team, compassionate and innovative and are looking to make a real difference to peoples’ lives, then we would love to hear from you.
In return we will equip you with the skills, resources and development you need to thrive in your role.
If you are unable to make all of the above training days please do not apply for this intake.
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. This information can be found on the South Western Ambulance NHS Foundation Trust website.
Candidates will be required to attain the Level 3 Award for First Responders on Scene during training in order to complete the recruitment process
For further information about this role please see attached the job description and person specification attached.
