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 are currently accepting applications from the following areas where we are looking to expand existing groups groups:
Axminster, Chumleigh, Combe Martin, Crediton, Hartland, Hatherleigh, Holsworthy, Lynton, Seaton, Woolacombe, 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 Southwestern 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.
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:
Interviews week commencing 20/09/2026
There will then be ONE COURSE
The six-day training course is scheduled to be held at Trust HQ, in Sowton Exeter.
Weekend 1 = 3 rd and 4 th October 2026
Weekend 2 = 10 th and 11 th October 2026
Weekend 3 = 17th th October 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.
Please be aware, if there is not currently a Community First Responder scheme running within a close proximity to home postcode you may not be short listed.
More information including a video is available on our website: https://www.swast.nhs.uk/volunteer-recruitment
IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO MAKE ALL OF THE TRAINING DAYS PLEASE DO NOT APPLY FOR THIS INTAKE.
To view the Trust's Mission, Vision, Values and Goals click here.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
More information is available here: https://www.futurequals.com/qualifications/faq-level-3-award-for-first-responders-on-scene-ambulance-service-community-responder/
For further information about this role please see attached the job description and person specification attached.
Please do however re register your interest to be notified of future recruitment campaigns: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=1Jr8HAsL0ECdxOdKjT0WUjryOBEWEoFGoolRy68IBA1UNU5ZRU9YUDBDUEFWQkdaRkhNUUtDQkg2UCQlQCN0PWcu&route=shorturl
To make your application stand out it is vital you include what would make you a exceptional Community First Responder and how you meet the person specification for the role.
