The NHS relaunched its volunteering scheme today, assigning volunteers to help make calls to socially isolated patients.

NHS England said it already has 1,000 volunteers who have agreed to make calls to vulnerable, isolated or lonely people in the “Check In and Chat” programme. GPs, pharmacists and other health workers can use the service to request that someone keeps in touch with lonely patients. The service uses an app, GoodSAM, to link volunteers to tasks in the community. The 1,000 volunteers in the latest project have come from the 400,000 people who signed up during the pandemic to help

NHS Medical Director Professor Sir Stephen Powis said: “Volunteers played a vital role in helping us deliver the biggest and most successful vaccination programme in health history and in our 75th year, they continue to help us to save lives. NHS health teams can refer patients to this fantastic service which offers a listening ear and, where appropriate, explore positive changes they could make to their lives, for example to connect with others, become more physically active or to learn new skills or volunteer themselves.”

England chief nurse Ruth May said: “It is very easy for GPs, nurses, pharmacists, and other healthcare workers to refer patients to the Check in and Chat service through a simple online platform – and we know what a difference a neighbourly phone call can make if you’re feeling isolated or in need of some support.”

Volunteer Doris Iroegbu, 37, from Stevenage, said: “I was so pleased when I heard I would be able to sign back up to Check in and Chat. Having the flexibility to fit my volunteering around work and family life has been great. I’ve enjoyed chatting with lots of people about their personal lives, families and even war stories. It’s made me feel humble and blessed and has been emotional at times as some of the people I speak to are completely alone with no-one else to talk to. They’re so grateful to chat and I get some lovely feedback. One older lady with poor mobility asked how old I am and told me that she’d been the life of the party at my age!”