THE NHS needs more volunteer responders in Ealing, to help people over the winter during COVID-19.

The Royal Voluntary Service partnered with NHS England to launch the programme in April.

Volunteers support people self-isolating by delivering shopping or medication, providing transport to medical appointments and chatting on the phone to prevent loneliness.

Volunteers also help hospitals and GP practices with deliveries. In Ealing, 1,842 volunteers have done 6,217 tasks.

More people are needing support, but some of the original volunteers have returned to work. You can apply via the NHS Volunteer Responders website.