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 Dorset.
We welcome applicants from across Dorset, but specifically interested in expanding groups in the general areas of Beaminster, Bridport, Lyme Regis as well as North Dorset
We also have a Community Responder Vehicle, currently based in the Bournemouth area, for anyone preferring to volunteer for pre-agreed periods, covering calls across all Dorset.
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, please detail this in the additional information section.
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.
More information is available in the video below and on our website:
https://vimeo.com/850656312/b68f4798d1?share=copy
https://www.swast.nhs.uk/welcome/community-first-responders/community-first-responders
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 South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust.
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.
When applying for this position, please be aware that you must be able to attend the following interview dates and all six days of training course:
There will then be ONE COURSE
Interviews will take place the week commencing 27th July.
The six-day training course is scheduled to be held at St Leonards Ambulance Training College
- Weekend 1 – 13th, 14th & 15th November 2026
- Weekend 2 – 20th, 21st & 22nd November 2026.
You must attend all 4 - If you are unable to make all of the training days please do not apply for this intake.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For further information about this role please see attached the job description and person specification attached.
If you are currently a ECA for SWASFT or are in the ECA Holding Pool please do not apply via this advert, please contact Tom Staple directly.
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, please detail this in the additional information section of your application.
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Community First Responder - Dorset with South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust in Exeter, South West, England. It is listed as a Ambulance and emergency care role. The advertised salary is Unpaid. The contract type is Voluntary. The application deadline is 12 Jul 2026.
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