Community-based volunteering in response to COVID-19 (COV-VOL) [COVID-19]
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Community-based volunteering in response to COVID-19 (COV-VOL)
IRAS ID
284941
Contact name
Patricia Wilson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Kent
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
SRCEA 266, University of Kent, Ethical approval
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 3 months, 31 days
Research summary
Volunteers play an important role in the community, supporting older, vulnerable people and supplementing statutory health and social care services. In response to pressures on services, staff shortages and the numbers of vulnerable people required to self-isolate due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been an unprecedented response both in terms of requests for volunteers and also those signing up to offer support. Despite evidence of the positive impact of volunteering, previous research carried out the project team, has identified significant concerns around community volunteering, including liability, health and safety, organisation and support, and risks to organisational reputation. Additionally, the velocity of rising need requires a rapid response, safe recruitment practices and co-ordinated utilisation of large numbers of people offering to volunteer. The research questions ask: 1) How can a community-based volunteer workforce be rapidly and safely implemented? 2) What is the impact of a community-based volunteer workforce on providing support for self-isolating and vulnerable older members of the community during the Covid-19 pandemic? The study will employ qualitative methods across 4 work packages (WPs). WP1 will be a rapid literature review of community-based volunteering for vulnerable older people. WP2 will be a scoping of documents (policies, procedures, guidelines) used by health and social care and voluntary organisations who use volunteers. WP3 will involve qualitative interviews with health and social care practitioners involved in the care of vulnerable older people living at home, volunteer organisers within statutory and non-statutory organisations, volunteers and older people being supported by volunteers (recipients). WP4 will be the dissemination of findings. The study will take place in locations within Kent, Surrey and Sussex.
REC name
N/A
REC reference
N/A