Community First Responder - Bristol & Somerset

Job overview

Exciting volunteering opportunities have arisen within South Western Ambulance NHS Foundation Trust for Community First Responders to join Community First Responder schemes across Bristol & Somerset.

We are particularly interested in the following areas.

Primary recruitment areas:

• Minehead (Joining Community Response Vehicle based at Minehead ambulance station)
• Nailsea (Joining Community Response Vehicle based at Nailsea ambulance station)

Secondary priority areas:

• Williton
• Dulverton
• Porlock
• Wells

A 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 SWAST to provide patient care, including basic life support, until the arrival of an emergency ambulance

Applicants will have a good all round education; a full driving license 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.

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. This role is highly rewarding and offers opportunities to meet new people and learn valuable lifesaving skills through the training provided by SWAST.

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 3 mile radius of your home postcode you may not be short listed. Should you wish to respond from your work place as well as or instead of your home address, detail this in the additional information section.

Please be aware that you must be able to attend the following in person interview dates and all six days of training course:

Interviews are scheduled in person at Bridgewater ambulance station on the 9th and 11th December 2026.

The six day (two long weekends) training course is scheduled to be held at a location TBC on the below dates:

Weekend 1: Friday 19th February 2027, Saturday 20th February 2027, Sunday 21st February 2027

Weekend 2: Friday 5th March 2027, Saturday 6th March 2027, Sunday 7th March 2027

IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO MAKE ALL OF THE TRAINING DAYS DO NOT APPLY FOR THIS INTAKE. FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES MAY ARISE IN YOUR AREA IN THE NEAR FUTURE

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

This advert does not cover:

• Bath & North East Somerset - Apply via Wiltshire CFR advert
• South Gloucestershire / North Bristol - Apply via the Gloucestershire advert

For further information about this role please see attached the job description and person specification attached.

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. More information is available in the video above and on our website:Our Volunteers | SWAST Website

Any questions get in touch using the details below Sam England Mobile – 07977 352095 Email Sam.England@swast.nhs.uk

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.