12th January 2010
Communities Secretary John Denham today praised the tremendous efforts of local people who are pulling together to help deal with the challenges of the severe weather.
Mr Denham said the response showed Britain's community spirit in action with many people volunteering their support where needed, from lending vehicles to help transport food to vulnerable people, to digging clear paths to re-open schools, or coming out of homes with shovels to get stranded emergency vehicles moving.
With the cold spell set to continue in many parts of the country, the Government is joining forces with local government and the Health and Safety Executive to bust the myth that people who volunteer to undertake a civic duty could be at risk of facing legal action under health and safety laws. For example, there is nothing in health and safety legislation to prevent a person taking sensible steps to clear a pathway to improve the situation, or volunteer to do shopping for a neighbour in need. Nor should anybody who volunteers to support their community feel they are in danger of being sued and be put off wanting to help others.
Mr Denham stressed the Government would be stepping up its support for those who wished to volunteer. While recognising that volunteering by its very nature is spontaneous and generous, the Government is working with councils to find the best ways to ensure people have all the information they need to get involved and will be issuing practical advice following a meeting with voluntary groups today.
John Denham said:
"Alongside the excellent work of the public services in responding to the severe weather, we have seen many tremendous examples of the way Britain's communities have pulled together, with people lending vehicles, digging clear paths to allow ambulances and police vehicles through and visiting neighbours in need.
"By its very nature, most volunteering is spontaneous, generous and does not need to be organised by central and local government. But it is important to do everything we can to support people helping out in their communities.
"We shouldn't let myths about litigation get in the way of people's civic minded actions. I hope that people will use their common sense in this matter and not be put off helping others."
Justin Davis Smith, Chief Executive of Volunteering England:
"People volunteering their time have proved a lifeline during the severe weather, both through organisations and by simply lending a hand to neighbours. Volunteers have cleared snow to allow schools to re-open; driven elderly people to hospital appointments and worked alongside the emergency services to keep things running. Recent events have shown how vital volunteers are.
"There are many myths around which might put people off giving their time - I hope that this statement from government will ensure people don't hold back from lending a hand.
"Volunteering your time can make a big difference to those who are struggling during the cold snap. I would encourage those interested in lending a hand to contact their local Volunteer Centre for advice on where they can help."
Sir Nick Young, Chief Executive of the British Red Cross added:
"As part of a huge response across the country Red Cross volunteers have been supporting ambulance services, transporting patients and crucial medical staff, helping stranded motorists, using village wardens to check on older people and getting hot water and food to people cut off without power.
"Once again they have shown - as they have time and again - that dedicated, trained volunteers can play a vital role in responding to emergencies.
"Volunteers offer much needed skills in fields such as first aid, practical and emotional support, and the coordination of emergency support; skills which make people and their communities more resilient against the effects of harsh weather."
Some of the examples of community action reported in recent days include:
- Volunteers in Bristol have used their 4X4 vehicles to support the NHS by transporting essential NHS workers to hospital emergency departments, community nurses/midwives to home visits and GPs for their out of hours service.
Around 60 parents, teachers, and pupils turned up with their shovels and brooms to clear the snow away from their school in Hemel Hempstead to ensure it was safe for pupils to return on Monday. Parents at a primary school in Trowbridge pitched up to help clear the paths to the school with just 40 minutes notice at the weekend - using an old desk and a placard as snowploughs. Brighton and Hove City Council received a "tremendous response" to their appeal for owners of 4x4 vehicles to help transport food and medicine to vulnerable people in Brighton while the icy conditions continue. Residents worked together to dig an ambulance out of the snow. Paramedics were called out to Woodlands Close, Breightmet, - but their ambulance became stranded in the ice and snow and they needed the help of the whole street. The Bucks Oxon Rescue Group - a team of about 50 - and Bucks Search and Rescue volunteers have helped "save lives" by transporting sick and elderly residents during the severe weather. When an ambulance could not reach an 84-year-old woman at her Blagdon home after she had suffered an angina attack, it was Ambulance volunteer Duncan Massey who came to the rescue. Members of the Northumberland National Park Mountain Rescue Team and the North of Tyne Search and Rescue Team are using their vehicles and crews to get to patients and to recover stranded ambulances as the area is blanketed by deep snow. Volunteers from the teams have been working up to 14 hours a day. Local people interested in finding out what they can do support their communities should contact their local volunteering centre. The location and contact details for the nearest office can be found on www.volunteering.org.uk/finder
