SOUTH Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) has celebrated the “everyday hero” volunteers during Volunteers Week (Monday, June 2 to Sunday, June 8).

The service says it is recognising the exceptional impact they make in communities across the South West.

Supporting the service are over 600 Community First Responders, who are trained volunteers that provide the first crucial steps for survival. This includes early recognition, CPR and early defibrillation.

Along with Community First Responders, other volunteers include 37 BASICS doctors, over 2,000 GoodSAM responders, Hospital Ambulance Liaison Officers, and Welfare Call Volunteers.

Jane Whichello, Head of Volunteering and Community Services, at the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, said: "Volunteers Week is an opportunity for all of us to publicly recognise the value of our volunteers and the difference they make to people's lives and their communities. Our fantastic network of volunteers make a difference every day to patients across the South West and we know that there are people walking around today who would not be here if it were not for these everyday heroes.

“Our volunteers play such an important role in the service we provide to patients, and I thank every one of them for their support. With our team of volunteers at our side, SWASFT can continue to deliver the very best care possible for patients when they need us.

“Volunteering is a great opportunity to meet new people and learn valuable life-saving skills through the training and ongoing support from the SWASFT dedicated volunteering support team.”

SWASFT typically deals with around 2,650 incidents a day and serves over 5.5 million people. It responds to 999 calls, delivers patient care, supports hospital handovers, and teaches lifesaving skills.

If you would like to learn more about volunteering for the service, you can visit its website and social media pages.