We are always looking for volunteers in these main areas:
All motorcycle riders are welcome to join us. As with everything, there are hoops to jump through. If you are willing to use your own bike then it obviously has to be roadworthy and capable of carrying whatever the hospitals want us to take. Hard case panniers and/or top box are a must. We do not allow soft panniers or bags unfortunately. The hospitals are aware that there are limits as to what we can carry on a motorcycle. You must also have at least 12 months fully licensed motorcycle riding experience and you will also have to undergo an assessment ride with one of our selected trainers.
We will openly encourage and help riders to become Advanced Riders. If you already hold an Advanced rider certificate and it was completed in the last 3 years or renewed within that period, you then become eligible to ride a liveried dedicated blood bike following proof of dedication to the charity. In this case further assessment is carried out at that stage.
NWBB L&L transports blood, samples, small medical equipment, patient notes, various paperwork between your local hospitals from 7:00 pm to 2:00 am Monday to Thursday, 7:00 pm Friday to 2:00 am Monday and Bank holidays. However over the weekend it is split into a day shift and night shift, 12 hours each. The minimum commitment is just TWO shifts a month or 24 shifts a YEAR that’s all!
Controllers are responsible for managing each shift, taking calls and despatching riders to ensure requests are fulfilled. Controlling is an intensely rewarding role, working with riders and NHS hospitals across Lancashire and South Cumbria. A degree of mental dexterity for problem solving and an outgoing nature would be helpful. A sense of humour is always a bonus! Operating from home, controllers are the first point of contact, answering calls from hospitals, assessing rider availability, dispatching riders and ensuring their safe return home. The role requires basic computer skills and some familiarity with spreadsheets. Access to a stable Wi-Fi and a personal computer or laptop is required. Two phones (for incoming and outgoing calls/texts) are preferable. Shifts vary between 6 and 8 hours, during evenings and weekends. We ask that volunteers commit to a minimum of two shifts a month. Training is given and a ‘buddy’ system provides support until trainees are confident enough to work alone. We seek dedicated, responsible and committed individuals who thrive on a challenge and have the time to volunteer to support the NHS. If you think that this could be you, please complete the enquiry form and we will happily get back to you to explain the role in detail and answer any questions that you may have about what we do. Thank you.
The role of Fundraiser is invaluable. We are a registered Charity and our source of income to run the service we provide comes from donations or fundraising events. These events range from shows, like The Grand opening of Ghost Bikes in Preston, Black Tie Dinner Dances for corporate sponsors, and even the Preston Guild celebration. We also collect outside supermarkets where we get to meet loads of interesting people. Your ideas would always be welcome as there is no limit (appart from decency and good taste) to the initiatives that can be deployed to present our activities to the public and encourage them to provide the funds that are vital for our operations..
Any support you can offer either on a one-off event or by joining the team, will help us to be able to continue to offer our important and very needy service to the NHS.
Although primarily a motorcycle service, North West Blood Bikes Lancs & Lakes recruit volunteer car owner/drivers to help out with Regular Runs, in our West Lancashire area only. Here they will transport urgent items between the hospitals. (Ormskirk to Southport at 22:00 and Southport to Whiston at 22:30.) Volunteers are only obliged to do two shifts each month. for most of the time these regular runs are carried out by motorcycle volunteers, but there is a need for drivers with cars. This then frees the motorcycles to handle the short-notice and unexpected calls. If you feel you can help out, please complete our driver form from the link below. You must have a full car driving licence with no more than 6 penalty points and the car must be fully insured for carrying items for NWBB Lancs & Lakes and the NHS. Your car must conform to all legalities and be roadworthy.
If you feel you can help by becoming involved in any of these roles please use the appropriate contact button above and we will get back to you shortly. We get a lot of enquiries. If we seem a bit slow at responding please don’t assume we are not interested. Do click again!
