Not yet recruitingOBSERVATIONAL

How Can Volunteers in the NHS Be Best Supported?

This study is all about understanding how volunteers, particularly Community First Responders (CFRs), help the NHS in England. We want to find out what makes their work most effective and how we can support them better. We'll be looking at how CFRs help ambulance services, what they themselves think, and how other NHS staff and patients feel about their support. The main goal is to see how we can make the most of the CFR role. We'll also explore how ideas from CFRs can help other volunteer roles in the NHS. This research will help policymakers decide where to focus efforts to support volunteers and improve how they work within the NHS.

At a glance

Status

Not yet recruiting

Sponsor

King's College London

Enrolment target

Start

01 Jan 2025

Estimated completion

01 Jul 2025

Emergencies

What is this study about?

Imagine feeling unwell and needing help quickly. In many areas, alongside paramedics, volunteers called Community First Responders (CFRs) are often among the first to arrive. These dedicated individuals give their time to help people in emergencies. This study is all about understanding how these key volunteers support the NHS and how we can make their vital work even better.

We want to learn more about the difference CFRs make. Do patients feel reassured and well-cared for? Do NHS staff find that CFRs make a positive difference to their workload? By asking these questions and looking at information from different ambulance services, we hope to build a clearer picture of their impact. We'll be talking to CFRs themselves, NHS staff, and patients to get a full view of their experiences.

The findings from this research are very important. They will help decision-makers, like the Department for Health and Social Care, figure out the best ways to support volunteers across the NHS. This could mean making changes to policies, providing better training, or finding new ways for volunteers to help. Ultimately, the goal is to improve care for everyone who uses NHS services.

Key takeaways

This study aims to improve how volunteers help the NHS.
It focuses on Community First Responders (CFRs) who assist ambulance services.
Researchers want to hear from CFRs, NHS staff, and patients.
The goal is to understand what works best and how to support volunteers.
Findings will help shape future volunteer policies in the NHS.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for people who are, or have been, involved with Community First Responders (CFRs). This includes the CFRs themselves, NHS staff who work alongside them, and patients who have received help from a CFR.

If you haven't been involved with CFRs in one of these ways, then this particular study would not be the right fit for you. We need to make sure we're getting information directly from those who have experience with this specific volunteer role.

Participants need to be aged 18 or over, up to 100 years old, and we welcome people of all genders to take part.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Have you ever been a Community First Responder (CFR)?
Have you worked with Community First Responders as NHS staff?
Have you received care or support from a Community First Responder?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

Taking part in this study would involve sharing your experiences and views on Community First Responders (CFRs) and their role in the NHS. You might be asked to take part in an interview, where you'll have the chance to talk about your experiences with CFRs. These interviews are designed to be a conversation, allowing you to share your thoughts in detail.

The researchers will also be looking at existing information from ambulance services, such as records about when CFRs attend incidents, to understand their activity. You wouldn't need to do anything for this part, as it uses information already collected by the NHS. For those involved in interviews, the time commitment would be for the interview itself, which would be arranged at a convenient time for you.

Potential risks and benefits

There are no significant physical risks involved in taking part in this study. The main benefit is that your experiences and opinions will directly help to shape how volunteers are supported in the NHS in the future, ultimately improving patient care. You might also find it helpful to share your experiences. While we aim to make you feel comfortable during interviews, discussing past events might be upsetting for some; you can choose not to answer any question you prefer not to. Remember, taking part is completely voluntary. You are free to withdraw at any time without giving a reason, and this would not affect your healthcare or your relationship with the NHS in any way.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

King's College London
Verified postcode
London, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is a Community First Responder (CFR)?

A CFR is a volunteer trained to respond to emergency calls in their community before an ambulance arrives. They can provide first aid and support until paramedics take over.

Why is this research important?

This research will help the NHS understand how volunteers like CFRs best help patients and staff, so they can improve support for volunteers and potentially introduce more volunteer roles in the future.

Will my personal details be kept private?

Yes, the study is designed to protect your privacy. Any information you share will be kept confidential and used only for research purposes, without identifying you personally.

Do I have to take part if asked?

No, taking part is completely voluntary. You are free to choose whether or not to be involved, and your decision will not affect your care or any services you receive from the NHS.

How long will the study last?

The study itself will run for a period of time to gather all the necessary information. If you are involved in an interview, it will be a one-off session arranged at your convenience.

How to find out more

Annette Boaz, PhD

annette.boaz@kcl.ac.uk 44 2078465454 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.