The NHS Volunteer Responders Programme is set to be expanded to help the struggling social care system, the Government has announced.

Backed by £3m, the scheme will use the same GoodSAM app that NHS volunteers began using during the pandemic to bring providers and volunteers together.

The volunteers will provide support to people receiving care from local services in their community.

Minister for care Helen Whately said: ‘Volunteers can be a lifeline for people needing support. They can provide help to people needing a hand with food shopping, picking up prescriptions or even battling loneliness by lending a listening ear.

‘That's why we are building on the success of the NHS Volunteer Responders programme by expanding into social care. This launch will support the discharge of medically fit patients from hospital, freeing up the time so our workforce can focus on meeting more complex needs and most importantly support people to live independently at home for longer.'

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