Community First Responder – Dorset
The closing date is 12 July 2026
Exciting volunteering opportunities have arisen within South Western Ambulance NHS Foundation Trust for Community First Responders to join Community First Responder schemes across Dorset.
We welcome applicants from across Dorset, but specifically interested in expanding groups in the general areas of Beaminster, Bridport, Lyme Regis as well as North Dorset.
We also have a Community Responder Vehicle, currently based in the Bournemouth area, for anyone preferring to volunteer for pre‑agreed periods, covering calls across all Dorset.
Please be aware that if there is not currently a Community First Responder scheme running within a 3‑mile radius of your home postcode you may not be short‑listed. Should you wish to respond from your workplace as well as, or instead of, your home address, please detail this in the additional information section.
A Community First Responder (CFR) scheme is made up of a group of trained volunteers who, within the community in which they live or work, attend emergency calls on behalf of South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust to provide basic life support until the arrival of an emergency ambulance.
More information is available in the video below and on our website.
Main duties of the job
As a volunteer and a member of a Community First Responder Scheme you would provide this community‑based service willingly and without pay. This role is highly rewarding and offers opportunities to meet new people and learn valuable lifesaving skills through the training provided by South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust.
Applicants will have a good all‑round education; a full driving licence held for at least one year, with no more than 6 current penalty points and have access to a vehicle with current tax, MOT and insurance for your use. Following shortlisting, applicants will be invited to attend a formal interview whereby they will be expected to have some knowledge of the role and South Western Ambulance NHS Foundation Trust. Candidates will be required to attain the Level 3 Award for First Responders on Scene during training in order to complete the recruitment process.
When applying for this position, please be aware that you must be able to attend the following interview dates and all six days of the training course:
There will then be one course.
Interviews will take place the week commencing 27th July.
The six‑day training course is scheduled to be held at St Leonards Ambulance Training College.
You must attend all 6 – if you are unable to make all of the training days please do not apply for this intake.
Person Specification
Education and qualifications
- Full driving licence held for at least one year, with no more than 6 current penalty points.
- Have a vehicle with current tax, MOT and insurance for your use.
- Current advanced driving qualification.
Previous experience (Paid/ Unpaid relevant to role)
- Previous experience (Paid/ Unpaid relevant to role)
- Previous experience (Paid/ Unpaid relevant to role)
Skills, knowledge, ability
- Commitment to volunteering for a minimum of 12 hours a week.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
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