Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston has welcomed the launch of a new drive to boost volunteer numbers in Scotland.
The Scottish Government’s readyscotland.org website will now signpost those keen to help support the efforts of the NHS, other public services and local charities to those organisation coordinating volunteers.
The UK Government’s volunteering drive, launched a week ago, has already seen targets exceeded by 200%, with over 750,000 people signing up to help.
Mr Halcro Johnson said: “We have already seen, in communities and neighbourhoods across the Highlands and Islands, a huge volunteer response to the pandemic.
“People have come together to help out their friends and neighbours, but also to support more vulnerable residents and those who, for whatever reasons, are self-isolating or who find it hard to get supplies or medicines.
“However, it is absolutely right that there is a more coordinated national approach, and the scheme launched in England early last week has already seen targets for the number of people signing up exceeded threefold. There has been so much interest that they have now stopped taking on more volunteers.
“I am pleased that the Scottish Government is now finally following suit and I am sure that there will be an equally enthusiastic take up here in Scotland; one which builds on the already fantastic community response.
“By coming together, we can meet the challenge posed by the coronavirus, help take some of the pressure off our NHS and support those in our communities who most need it.”
