Community First Responder - North & East Devon

Haringey GP Federation; Barnstaple; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization is seeking volunteers for the Community First Responder role in North and East Devon. This rewarding position involves attending emergency calls, providing basic life support, and requires a full driving license, vehicle access, and commitment to training. Ideal candidates should be ready to contribute at least 12 hours per week and be prepared for specific interview and training dates.

Benefits

Training provided

Opportunity to learn lifesaving skills

Meet new people

Qualifications

• Full driving licence held for at least one year.
• Access to a vehicle with current tax, MOT, and insurance.
• Commit to volunteering for a minimum of 12 hours a week.

Responsibilities

• Provide community-based service without pay.
• Attend emergency calls on behalf of South Western Ambulance Service.
• Complete training and interviews as outlined in the application.

Skills

Commitment to volunteering

Good all‑round education

Driving skills

Education

Full driving licence

Vehicle with tax, MOT, and insurance

Job description

Community First Responder - North & East Devon

The closing date is 14 January 2026

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 welcome applicants from across North and East Devon but specifically interested in expanding groups in the areas of Axminster, Chumleigh, Combe Martin, Crediton, Hartland, Hatherleigh, Holsworthy, Lynton, Seaton, Woolacombe. We may consider applications from the following areas: 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 South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust.

Main duties of the job

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 licence 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:

Recruitment will take place in two phases:

PHASE ONE - 17/12/25 - 14/02/25

Interviews week commencing 05/01/2025 (To include Interviews, HR checks)

There will then be ONE COURSE

The six‑day training course is scheduled to be held at Petroc Campus Barnstaple.

• Weekend 1 = 21st and 22nd February 2026
• Weekend 2 = 28th February and 1st March 2026
• Weekend 3 = 7th and 8th of March 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.

About us

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.

To view the Trust's Mission, Vision, Values and Goals here

Job 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.

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. FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES. The next Course will be September 2026

Person Specification

Education and qualifications

• Full driving licence held for at least one year, with no more than 6 current penalty points.
• Have a vehicle with current tax, MOT and insurance for your use.
• Current advanced driving qualification.

Previous experience (Paid/ Unpaid relevant to role)

• Previous experience (Paid/ Unpaid relevant to role)
• Previous experience (Paid/ Unpaid relevant to role)

Skills, knowledge, ability

• Commitment to volunteering for a minimum of 12 hours a week.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust