Question reference: S5W-30168
- Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 23 June 2020
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Current status: Answered by Aileen Campbell on 27 July 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-28463 by Aileen Campbell on 15 May 2020, whether it will provide an update regarding how many people are signed up to the Ready Scotland volunteer scheme, and how many are in a volunteering role.
Answer
The ‘Scotland Cares’ campaign was a great success and is testament to the compassion and community spirit of the people of Scotland. As at the week ending Friday 17 July, there were 83,738 sign-ups to the campaign, which was paused on 1 May.
The Scotland Cares sign-ups are in addition to the thousands of people who had already stepped forward, across the country, quickly and spontaneously, to help with the response to COVID 19, as soon as initial needs emerged and, of course, the many thousands of individuals already volunteering in their own communities for other reasons.
So far 4,882 student nurses have been placed with Boards and in community settings, and 276 NHS returners are now in employment. In addition the Scottish Social Services Council has, so far, matched 168 people to positions within the social care sector. Please note that all health and social care positions are paid.
Since 13 April, 1,376 British Red Cross volunteers have been deployed across Scotland. Figures for Volunteer Scotland deployments are not readily available, however. Individuals who signed up, but have not yet been required, for available tasks, may well be critical in efforts to support and rebuild communities over the weeks and months to come.