The Government has increased its target for its volunteer NHS army and is now aiming to recruit 750,000 people to help out and slow down the spread of coronavirus.

The call to action came from Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary, who initially issued a request for 250,000 people to donate their time to help the 1.5 million vulnerable people who have to self-isolate for 12 weeks. More than 500,000 people signed up in just 24 hours.

Anyone who is over the age of 18, fit, healthy and non-symptomatic can offer their time to the scheme and help to deliver shopping to vulnerable people, transport patients to and from hospital, drive medicines and equipment to NHS facilities and check up on isolated individuals by telephone.

What is the NHS Volunteer campaign?

The NHS Volunteer campaign is a new initiative which looks to help the 1.5 million Britons with underlying medical conditions who have been asked to stay at home for the next 12 weeks.

It is also designed as a support structure to reduce pressure on the NHS and its staff.

What will an NHS volunteer do?

NHS volunteers will be carrying out "simple but vital" roles.

Community response volunteer: This role involves collecting shopping, medication or other essential supplies for someone who is self-isolating, and delivering these supplies to their home.

Patient transport volunteer: This role supports the NHS by providing transport to patients who are medically fit for discharge, and ensuring that they are settled safely back in to their home.

NHS transport volunteer: This role involves transporting equipment, supplies and/or medication between NHS services and sites, it may also involve assisting pharmacies with medication delivery.

Check-in and chat volunteer: This role provides short-term telephone support to individuals who are at risk of loneliness as a consequence of self-isolation.

Once you have registered and checks are complete, you will be provided a log-in to the GoodSAM Responder app. Switch the app to 'on duty', and you'll see live and local volunteer tasks to pick from nearby.