HYWEL Dda health chiefs are working with local authority partners and the third sector to ensure the exceptional community spirit during the coronavirus pandemic helps the most vulnerable and supports local NHS and social care services.

Volunteers and support from local businesses and organisations will play a crucial role in the fight against COVID-19 across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire.

How you can volunteer for and support your local NHS:

If you want to help your local NHS during the COVID-19 pandemic, contact Hywel Dda University Health Board by calling 0300 303 8322 or email COVIDenquiries.hdd@wales.nhs.uk (open 7am – 9pm, seven days a week).

The NHS is asking for volunteers to carry out simple but important tasks such as transporting equipment, food and medication and supporting services and staff in hospitals.

To keep staff and the patients safe, it is essential to manage all items offered appropriately and safely. If you think you have resources, goods or services that the NHS could use please also get in touch.

All offers of support must be directed to the health board on 0300 303 8322 or email COVIDenquiries.hdd@wales.nhs.uk

Do not visit our hospitals to drop off gifts or donations. Remember - the single most important action we can all take in fighting coronavirus is to stay at home in order to protect the NHS and save lives.

Volunteer to help your local social care services, the third sector and local communities:

If you can help to support social care services and those who are vulnerable and isolated in your community through activities such as collecting medication and shopping or providing telephone support to those who have lost their usual forms of emotional and social contact use the following details to register to help in your area:

  • Carmarthenshire: register at Volunteering Wales https://carmarthenshire.volunteering-wales.net/vk/volunteers/index.htm
  • Contact Carmarthenshire Association of Voluntary Services (CAVS) on 01267 245555 or email admin@cavs.org.uk
  • Ceredigion: register at Volunteering Wales https://volunteering-wales.net/vk/volunteers/index-covid.html or contact Ceredigion Association of Voluntary Organisations (CAVO) on 01570 423232 or e-mail gen@cavo.org.uk
  • Pembrokeshire: get in touch with the Community Coordination Hub by phoning 01437 776301 or emailing communitycovid19@pembrokeshire.gov.uk. You can also register as a volunteer on the Volunteering Wales website at https://volunteering-wales.net

It is important that you only volunteer to carry out tasks that involve leaving your home if you fulfil ALL of the conditions below:

  • You are well and have no symptoms – a continuous cough and/or a high temperature - and neither does anybody in your household
  • You are under 70
  • You are not pregnant
  • You do not have any long-term health conditions that make you vulnerable to coronavirus

If you are a business or an individual in need of any advice, help or support you can contact your local helplines:

  • Carmarthenshire – please call 0300 0300 333 2222 or visit https://www.carmarthenshire.gov.wales/home/council-services/social-care-health/support-at-home/#.Xo2qg0F7nIU
  • Ceredigion - please contact Ceredigion County Council CLIC on 01545 570881 or e-mail clic@ceredigion.gov.uk
  • Pembrokeshire - you can contact the Community Coordination Hub by phoning 01437 776301 or emailing communitycovid19@pembrokeshire.gov.uk

Maria Battle, chair of Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: “The NHS has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support at a time when our frontline staff are working around the clock to prepare and care for patients during this challenging time.

“On behalf of NHS staff across Hywel Dda area I’d like to pass on our thanks but also remind people that the single most important action we can all take in fighting coronavirus is to stay at home in order to protect the NHS and save lives.”