To support the NHS during COVID19, and to help parents within the health service get to their shifts, we have modified our app to allow local volunteers to babysit for free, for NHS workers. Here are some FAQs on how to volunteer on Bubble.

Why is Bubble doing this?

The current pressures on our NHS are enormous and it is vital that NHS staff are able to get into work and help patients. With many regular childcare facilities closing indefinitely, the childcare crisis within the NHS is acute right now. If NHS staff cannot find childcare, they cannot get to their shifts. Many sitters across the UK were keen to support them and volunteer their time. These include medical and healthcare students across the country. In consultation with them, we decided to modify Bubble, to facilitate volunteers who wanted to provide free childcare to parents in the NHS.

How do I opt-in to volunteer?

On your homepage, and in your app’s main menu you will see a “Volunteering” tab. Go into this page and switch on your volunteering toggle.

Can any sitter volunteer?

Yes. The volunteering toggle is available to all approved sitters on the Bubble app.

What security checks do I need to pass before being able to volunteer?

All volunteers must still clear through the Bubble onboarding and verification process, which includes an identity check, online background check and reference checks. The process can be completed seamlessly from your mobile phone. For more information on our onboarding process for sitters, go here.

Which parents can post volunteer sit requests?

Currently, the volunteering service is open to all parents across the NHS. We are exploring whether we can expand the service to other Key workers in time.

Can I offer to do paid work for these parents?

Yes. Even after you have opted-in to volunteer, if there are occasions where you can only do a sit for your regular fee, then the app gives you the flexibility when applying to de-activate your volunteer setting. An NHS Parent will always see clearly in their app which sitters are offering to sit for them voluntarily, and which are offering at their usual rates. Ultimately, we hope that a Parent in the NHS will get as many volunteer offers as possible, but at the same time, providing them with choice of carers is a minimum requirement.

Can I still do other regular, paid for sits on the app?

Yes. Opting in to Volunteer does not mean that you will stop receiving paid-for opportunities. It simply means that you will also receive the voluntary requests from NHS parents, alongside regular requests.

Is my public liability insurance still valid?

Yes. All sits tracked on the Bubble app benefit from £1m public liability insurance and the voluntary sits are no different. For more information about how insurance works, go here.

Do I still earn reviews from my voluntary sits?

Yes. NHS Parents will still be asked to review you after the sit, and these reviews will still show and count on your profile.

Will my voluntary sits help my profile in any other way?

Not yet, but they will do soon! Volunteering during this time is an amazing act of kindness, and we absolutely will be showcasing these on your profile for all parents to see.

I can’t volunteer anymore, how do I opt out?

Simply switch off the volunteering toggle in your app. Please note, if you have a confirmed voluntary sit, then you will be expected to honour that. Please contact the parent immediately if this is not something you can do.

Is volunteering compatible with social distancing?

Yes. Supporting key workers within the NHS is a national priority, and leaving the home to volunteer for them is permitted.

Please see our latest guidelines on Social Distancing and COVID19.

It includes advice and a quick video on best practice in terms of hygiene and social distancing, whilst volunteering.

Thank you for your support.

If you have any further questions, please email support@joinbubble.com and our customer success team will be only too happy to help.