What support is given to me as a responder?
We care deeply about ensuring each and everyone of our responders receives the right support throughout their time with LIVES. This is not just about providing the right skills and confidence – we know that dealing with an emergency situation can be stressful and there will always be someone there to talk through the incidents and the emotions they evoke.
First Responders are also organised into local groups where they work on a rota system and come together regularly for training. We know this helps provide additional peer support.
Is previous experience needed to be a responder?
No, we provide all the necessary training and support.
If you are a qualified healthcare professional we will talk to you about the most appropriate level at which to respond. Similarly for these individuals we provide necessary training and support.
How many people volunteer for LIVES?
We have over 700 Community First Responders and over 70 Medic Responders across Lincolnshire. All of them are volunteers.
Do you have to have First Aid/Medical experience to become a responder?
No. We provide you with all the training you need.
What’s the difference between a Community First Responder and a Medic Responder?
LIVES Community First Responders make up the majority of our volunteers. These are members of the public, who give up their time for free to respond for LIVES. They are trained and equipped to deal with a range of serious 999 medical emergencies.
LIVES also has Medic Responders who are trained doctors, nurses and paramedics who also give up their time for free to respond for LIVES. LIVES provides them with their kit and equipment and can also provide advanced training so they can further their skills. These medics also attend serious 999 medical emergencies. They can bring advanced medical skills to the scene of an accident or emergency to help a patient in need of critical care.
How does LIVES raise money?
LIVES is a charity and we rely on public donations to raised the £1.4million per year we need to keep our responders on the road.
You’re volunteers, so why do you need funding?
LIVES has 700 volunteer responses and medics, and we need to raise over £1million every year to keep them on the road. Our volunteers require regular training and lifesaving equipment in order for them to help over 20,000 people in Lincoln every year. This training and equipment is costly but is vital for our responders.
Where does my donation go?
All donations go directly to LIVES to fund the core aims of the charity. It costs £1,000 to keep our 700 volunteer responders on the road. It costs a further £2,000 to recruit, train and equip and new responder so we can be there for even more people in Lincolnshire.
LIVES also has 70 volunteer medics to deliver critical care to medical emergencies across Lincolnshire. These trained doctors, nurses and paramedics often deal with the most extreme and life-threatening injuries. It costs £5,000 to keep each of our LIVES medics on the road per year.
All donations go directly to funding the training and equipment for the responders, so they can continue to save lives across Lincolnshire.
The NHS ambulance service does this, so why do we need you?
LIVES works in partnership with East Midlands Ambulance Service to support them with medical emergencies. Due to the rurality of Lincolnshire, it can mean that certain locations or incidents are harder to get to, and often with medical emergencies, time is critical so having a LIVES responder close by can make a big difference. LIVES aims to ensure there is a first responder available for these types of medical emergencies and more.
How long does it take for a LIVES responder to arrive at a scene?
LIVES responders aim to be at the scene of a 999 emergency within 6 minutes of receiving the call. Our responders are based in their local communities meaning that they can often get on scene fast. LIVES responders are first on scene for 80% of the calls we attend.
Our medic responders may take longer to arrive as they might have to travel much longer distances, sometimes up to 30 miles, to bring additional skills to very ill or injured patients.
How can I donate to LIVES?
You can make a donation to LIVES on our website: www.lives.org.uk/donate
How can I leave feedback on the service provided by a responder?
A responder will leave a card with details on how to feedback on the service provided. Alternatively, you can fill in a form at www.lives.org.uk/feedback
If you have any further quesions for LIVES just get in touch through our Contact Page >