Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Be part of something big – rare chance to join volunteer lifesavers

The London Ambulance Service has launched a recruitment campaign for volunteers and is particularly seeking new recruits from ethnic minority backgrounds.

Be part of something big – rare chance to join volunteer lifesavers

Londoners are being invited to apply for one of the most exciting volunteer roles possible, as London Ambulance Service (LAS) aims to triple its number of emergency responders – specially trained volunteers who help save lives across the capital.

The Service has launched a recruitment campaign for volunteers and is particularly seeking new recruits from ethnic minority backgrounds. The emergency responder programme is now 10 years old with over 100 volunteers serving thousands of hours each year.


Successful applicants will be trained in life-saving skills as well as driving an emergency vehicle with blue lights and siren on, before responding to 999 calls alongside paid ambulance crews.

Samantha Palfreyman Jones, head of First Responders, said, “The past two years have been unprecedented in how we live our lives and what matters to each of us. The pandemic has prompted lots of people to think about their careers, how they want to spend their spare time, and many people have been left feeling that they want to ‘give something back’ to the NHS.

“There has been an amazing show of support for LAS and the NHS and this is perfect opportunity for people to think about joining our ranks as an emergency responder.

“By joining you can make a huge difference to your community by saving lives and responding to patients in their time of greatest need.

“We are open about wanting to recruit more people from ethnic minority groups as we want our emergency responders to better reflect the diversity of our brilliant city.”

Emergency responders work in pairs in a fast response car and get sent to the most seriously ill or injured patients, including those in cardiac arrest.

They are often the first crew to arrive on scene and can begin life-saving treatment before an ambulance arrives.

During the pandemic, some emergency responders were given extra training to respond to patients on an ambulance working alongside a paramedic. Last year, they volunteered 30,400 hours, and almost a further 5,000 hours on an ambulance.

Our emergency responders come from all walks of life and include teachers, pilots, civil servants, retirees and students.

Kowser Ali – known as Ali – has a full time job in security and has been volunteering in his spare time with LAS since the emergency responder scheme was set up in 2012.

The 33-year-old said, “I might not get paid to do this but the rewards are worth so much more. To know that you can save a life, or change a life or make a difference is the most satisfying thing you can do.

“I love being able to help people and serve my community. We have a lot of Asian patients where I work in Newham and when they see me it can make things a little easier. I can speak to them in Bengali, Hindi or Urdu and that can be reassuring.”

LAS is more diverse than it has ever been – with around 20 per cent of staff from ethnic minority backgrounds. However, the Service is aiming to better reflect the community it serves by recruiting more volunteers as well as paid members of staff from diverse backgrounds.

Applicants for the emergency role must have a first aid certificate and commit to volunteering at least 16 hours a month.

Antony Tiernan, Director of Communications, oversees the Service’s volunteers.

He said, “Volunteers play an important role across the NHS gifting millions of hours each year supporting hospitals, ambulance services and others to go ‘above and beyond’.

“They undertake an amazing array of roles, from being hospital radio DJs to those who befriend patients on wards. We’re particular proud of the emergency responder scheme, which has been running for over a decade.”

The Service is also offering a paid entry level role for people with no medical background. Recruits will be trained to work on ambulances alongside senior medics.

You can apply for an emergency responder role here: be part of something bigger than yourself.

Or you can find details of all our vacancies on our jobs page: current vacancies.

More For You

Modi & Trump

Donald Trump and Narendra Modi shake hands as they attend a joint press conference at the White House on February 13, 2025.

Reuters

Trump greets Modi on 75th birthday, trade talks continue in Delhi

Highlights:

  • Both leaders reaffirm commitment to India-US partnership
  • Trade talks resume in New Delhi amid tariff tensions
  • India defends purchase of discounted Russian oil

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump on Tuesday called Indian prime minister Narendra Modi and greeted him ahead of his 75th birthday. The phone call sparked hopes of a reset in India-US ties, which had been under strain after Washington doubled tariffs on Indian goods to 50 per cent.

Keep ReadingShow less
uk weather

Forecasters say 30–40mm of rain is likely to fall widely

iStock

Met Office issues yellow weather warnings as heavy rain threatens flooding in 15 UK areas

Highlights:

  • Two yellow weather warnings issued for parts of Wales and the Midlands
  • Up to 70mm of rain expected, bringing risk of flooding, power cuts and travel delays
  • Flood alerts in place for rivers in Cumbria, Devon, Cornwall and Carmarthenshire
  • Residents advised to prepare emergency kits and stay updated with forecasts

Heavy rainfall set to cause disruption

The Met Office has issued two yellow weather warnings covering parts of Wales and the Midlands today, with forecasters warning of potential flooding, travel disruption and power cuts. Between 6am and 11am, persistent downpours are expected to sweep eastwards, bringing nearly a month’s worth of rain in just a few hours.

Areas under warning

South and southwest Wales are expected to be worst affected, with Ceredigion, Conwy, Gwynedd and Powys in the Midlands also on alert. In Wales, warnings apply to Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Merthyr Tydfil, Neath Port Talbot, Powys, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea and the Vale of Glamorgan.

Keep ReadingShow less
​Donald Trump and Melania Trump

Donald Trump and Melania Trump exit Air Force One after arriving at London Stansted Airport for a state visit on September 16, 2025 in Stansted, Essex.

Getty Images

UK rolls out royal welcome as Trump begins second state visit

Highlights:

  • Trump begins his second state visit to the UK with a royal welcome at Windsor Castle
  • Prince William, Catherine, King Charles and Queen Camilla take part in ceremony
  • State banquet and trade talks with prime minister Keir Starmer scheduled
  • Protests and security operation mark visit amid political challenges

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump began his unprecedented second state visit to Britain on Wednesday with a lavish welcome from King Charles and the royal family at Windsor Castle.

Keep ReadingShow less
11th UK Gatka Championship

All winners received medals and trophies

UK Parliament

11th UK Gatka Championship ends with Welsh debut and £1,000 support for Gatka Akharas

Highlights:

  • The 11th UK National Gatka Championship was hosted near Cardiff, marking the first time in Wales.
  • Winners included Roop Kaur (girls), Navjot Singh (boys), and Gurdeep Singh (men’s).
  • Gatka Federation UK awarded £1,000 to each participating Akhara to support martial arts promotion.
  • Chief guests included MP Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi and Harjeet Singh Grewal, President of the World Gatka Federation.

Gatka Championship marks Welsh debut

The 11th UK National Gatka Championship concluded on a high note near Cardiff, Wales, showcasing the traditional Sikh martial art with flair. Seven leading Gatka Akharas participated, thrilling spectators with their lightning-fast strikes, precision moves and elegant techniques.

Inauguration by global leaders

The tournament was inaugurated by Harjeet Singh Grewal, President of the World Gatka Federation (WGF) and the National Gatka Association of India (NGAI). He was joined by Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi MP, President of Gatka Federation UK, alongside other dignitaries including Jagbir Singh Jagga Chakar, President of Wales Kabaddi Club, and community leaders from the Haveli Hotel Pontyclun.

Keep ReadingShow less
Vantara

The site, located in Gujarat, houses hundreds of elephants, as well as 50 bears, 160 tigers, 200 lions, 250 leopards, and 900 crocodiles. (Photo: Instagram/Vantara)

India court probe clears Ambani family’s animal centre

AN INDIAN Supreme Court-ordered investigation has cleared a large private animal facility run by the son of Asia’s richest man, rejecting allegations of wildlife violations.

Vantara, described as the “world’s biggest wild animal rescue centre,” is operated by Anant Ambani, son of Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani.

Keep ReadingShow less