Vetted volunteers from across the North East are among 650 people nationwide to sign up to the Get Help initiative, which offers both assistance and reassurance to those in need during the coronavirus lockdown.
It was launched earlier this month (April) by Get Licensed which invited people verified by the Security Industry Authority (SIA) to sign up to the scheme and support those who are self-isolating or need help due to the current crisis, making a real difference in their local communities.
Those holding SIA licences include security guards and door staff, who have also undergone a nationally recognised training programme carried out by fully qualified experts, which includes undergoing stringent criminal and identity checks.
Help is requested via the Get Help website and the firm sends out a text to registered volunteers in the local area. The volunteer can then reply personally if they are available to help.
Support available ranges from keeping someone company who is lonely to picking up medicines or essential shopping.
Anthony Milner of Get Licensed, the UK’s number one course finder for licence linked courses, said: “We’re absolutely delighted that, in just a few weeks, more than 650 SIA verified volunteers have signed up for the Get Help scheme.
“If the coronavirus crisis has shown us anything, it’s the importance of community and ‘everyday heroes.’ By encouraging people with SIA licences to get involved, it increases the number of people available to help others and gives peace of mind that these volunteers are a safe pair of hands.
“We still have capacity to take on more volunteers and would welcome any SIA licence holders in the North East to join us in helping those who are unable to help themselves or are struggling to cope in this current crisis.”
Anyone with symptoms associated with coronavirus, such as a high temperature and new continuous cough, is asked not to volunteer. Get Help has also produced a safety guide for volunteers.
For further information or to sign up visit: https://get-licensed.co.uk/gethelp/