Heroic volunteer army applauded for help in delivering millions of vaccinations
Those who gave their time to help make the rollout of the Covid-19 vaccination programme across Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire such a monumental success have been praised as part of local Volunteers’ Week celebrations.
Generous people from all corners of the region have played an integral part of the local vaccination programme, with thousands having come forward to offer their time and energy ever since the first lifesaving vaccine was given in December 2020.
The collective efforts of all volunteers have now been recognised by local NHS officials as part of the region’s participation in the annual Volunteers’ Week.
A celebration event for volunteers at the vaccination centre at Bath Racecourse was held on Monday 6 June, where they were thanked with a special tea party.
Elsewhere, staff and volunteers from other vaccination centres have been gifted a with commemorative thank you pin badge, which highlights their key role in the lifesaving vaccination programme.
Gill May, Director of Nursing and Quality, said: “A year ago, all of our lives were still being dominated by the continual threat of Covid-19, and it was only with the help of our generous volunteers that we were able to persevere and come out the other side with the vast majority of the local population fully vaccinated.
“I’d like to say a special thank you to everyone who has donated their time to help the vaccine programme, especially all those who cancelled their Christmas and New Year plans at the last minute to help us deliver the booster vaccination at speed and turn the tide on the highly transmissible Omicron variant.
“Although Covid-19 is not making headlines in the way it once was, the virus is still present in our communities, which is why it’s still so important for people to get vaccinated if they haven’t already, and for people who are eligible to do so to top up their immunity with a booster jab.”
Husband and wife duo, Robin and Angela Horne, were among the volunteers whose efforts were praised as part of Thank You Day.
The couple have been helping out at the Salisbury City Hall vaccination centre each week since February 2021.
Retired engineer Robin said: “To have been involved in such a large rollout of the vaccine programme has given a great purpose to each week.
“Being retired, time is your own and so it has been great to be able to give back.
“Plus, the new friendships that have been formed mean we now have a Friday gang, all of whom volunteer together each week.”
In total, more than 2.2 million Covid-19 vaccinations have been given out across Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire, which means more than 89 per cent of the local population have received both primary doses and the all-important booster dose.
Additionally, almost three quarters (72 per cent) of those eligible for a second booster, such as those aged over 75 and people living in care homes, have so far come forward.
Vaccinations continue to be given at venues across the region, including the larger sites at Bath Racecourse, Swindon’s Steam Museum and Salisbury City Hall.
Visit www.nhs.uk to book a vaccination appointment, and click on the Covid-19 banner at www.bswccg.nhs.uk for further information on the local rollout.
More volunteer stories
Robin Horne
Robin is a retired engineer and volunteers once a week with his wife Angela.
Why did you get involved in the Vaccine Programme?
When the outbreak happened my wife and I, being retired, wanted to be able to help. We responded to a plea for help looking for volunteers, originally through our GP surgery. However, there was a bigger ask at the vaccine centre on the local news. We had a call and then the next day we did our first shift at City Hall. That was back in February 2021! We have volunteered nearly every Friday since.
What have you gained from the volunteering with the Vaccine Programme?
I have gained a real sense of wellbeing and personal satisfaction. To have been involved in such a large roll out of the vaccine programme has given a great purpose to each week. Being retired, time is your own and so it has been great to be able to give back, plus the new friendships that have been formed mean we have a ‘Friday gang’ who volunteer together each week, which is a great opportunity to catch up with one another!
Vason Moodley
Vason works as a civilian for the military.
He was involved in the vaccination programme since February 2021, working at Salisbury City Hall once a week for ten months.
He felt it was an opportunity to do his bit and as his work environment had changed, colleagues were allowed to give up a bit of time to take part in tasks like volunteering.
Vason was very impressed with the set up of the clinic at the start of the programme and really enjoyed managing the queue, to help things run swiftly and smoothly.
He was amazed by how many people had come forward to volunteer.
Susanne Haselgrove
Why did you get involved with the vaccination programme?
I was already volunteering with 3SG assisting with their data processing so helped process the hundreds of applications when they started recruiting the volunteers for the Large Vaccination Centre at Bath Racecourse: I felt that it was a way of helping in the response to the pandemic. In January 2021 they were still short of volunteer marshals so I joined the team and when we came to the 1st year anniversary in January 2022 was surprised to find I had done more shifts than anyone else (100+) and delighted to receive a lovely bunch of flowers!
What kind of things were you doing as part of the programme?
As marshals our role has two main parts. Firstly, we ensure that the flow of people attending goes smoothly; last summer the vaccination clinic was regularly dealing with 1500 people a day so managing flows and queues was vital. Secondly our role is to be the “human face” of the process as we usually have time to talk to people attending so we can explain what is happening and allay any anxieties.
What has been the best thing about being part of the programme?
Meeting the vast range of people attending the vaccination clinic and building relationships with the great staff and volunteer team so we can ensure that people attending can have the best experience possible. It has been a real pleasure to see how volunteers and clinical staff have worked so successfully together.
What have you gained from being part of the programme?
Feeling useful and making a contribution to the vital vaccination programme.
Jane Wallis
Why did you get involved with the vaccination programme?
I felt it was something I could contribute to now. Previously when volunteering for the RVS the tasks were not possible for me to carry out, as I was vulnerable at the start of the pandemic.
What kind of things were you doing as part of the programme?
Greeting, giving directions to the next stage or the exit, cleaning information pages. Occasionally watching a patient in recovery.
What has been the best thing about being part of the programme?
Feeling useful.
What have you gained from being part of the programme?
An insight into the process of the vaccination programme. An admiration for the endless patience that the NHS staff have with people coming to be vaccinated.
Peter Giles
Why did you get involved with the vaccination programme?
Having retired many years ago, but still being reasonably fit, I felt the urge to find a way of contributing. This was it.
What kind of things were you doing as part of the programme?
It has varied enormously depending on the centre. In the smallest, as the only volunteer supporting a single pharmacist/vaccinator, it was doing all the non-clinical support – checking people in, organising queues and collecting paperwork. Also, just chatting to people who were visibly nervous and needed distraction or reassurance. At the other end of the scale being a member of a team handling just one of these tasks, usually in rotation.
What has been the best thing about being part of the programme?
Without a doubt the people. Meeting such a variety of the non-clinical, clinical and those arriving to be vaccinated, almost all with something interesting to say. So many people on leaving would say how grateful they were to the volunteers for their efforts. Also, the variety, travelling around and working at such a wide range of centres from the very busy with many vaccinators and a large organisation down to the smallest. I would definitely do it again!
What have you gained from being part of the programme?
A definite sense of being valued for our small contribution to the success of this massive programme. Also, a fascinating insight into the complexities of organising and running day-to-day such a complex undertaking safely and efficiently.
Gill Garlington MBE
Why did you get involved with the vaccination programme?
I wanted to do something positive that would help the country get through the pandemic. At the outset of the programme the West of England Rural Network we were looking for volunteers to support their rollout of the vaccine at the Somer Centre in Midsomer Norton. It was the right side of Bath for me and I was only too happy to travel a few kilometres to help. When the centre closed having delivered cohorts 1-9 I supported the Lansdown Vaccination Centre from July last year and I still regularly volunteer there now.
What kind of things were you doing as part of the programme?
Most of what I was doing was welcoming people to the centres and putting them at ease. I was also directing them out of the building and undertaking any cleansing activities such as wiping chairs. If we were not too busy I would escort people from the registration desk through to the vaccination building.
What has been the best thing about being part of the programme?
The best thing for me is seeing the relief on people’s faces when they have had their jab. Some are very nervous when they arrive but leave with a smile and a cheery goodbye.
What have you gained from being part of the programme?
I have gained a lot of patience and tolerance as I realise what I find quite easy and acceptable is not the same for everyone. I have learnt to interact differently depending on the needs of people.
Through the vaccination programme I have made a lot of new friends, some of whom I meet up with for coffee and the cinema. I have worked with an amazing clinical team from the RUH and feel very honoured to have been accepted by them and to support them in whatever way I can.
Lesley Wilson
Why did you get involved with the vaccination programme?
I had no work at the time (Feb 2021) and wanted something to do.
What kind of things were you doing as part of the programme?
I volunteered as a Steward in the car park at the vaccine centre at Steam Museum to start with, then also worked as an indoor steward hand sanitising at the door, managing queues, running vaccines from the pharmacy to the clinicians and also sometimes doing the admin work for a clinician who was vaccinating patients or booking people in.
What has been the best thing about being part of the programme?
The best thing has been meeting lots of people coming for their vaccine and also meeting and working with staff and volunteers at the clinics, particularly during the 2021 lockdown. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as a volunteer.
What have you gained from being part of the programme?
I have gained knowledge and exposure regarding vaccination processes and procedures and also how hard working and dedicated people are when working during challenging times when everyone pulls together.
Alyson Stevens
Why did you get involved with the vaccination programme?
Someone I knew was volunteering through Rotary and I was fortunate to be added to their list of volunteers and even more fortunate to be allowed to do an admin role on the check-in or vaccination desks.
What kind of things were you doing as part of the programme?
I was on the check-in desk or admin on the vaccination desk.
What has been the best thing about being part of the programme?
Meeting new people – both those working at the clinic and the people being vaccinated.
What have you gained from being part of the programme?
A feeling that the part I have played in my roles has contributed to the success of the programme.
I would like to thank you for providing me with the opportunity to help with such an important project.
Brian Moore
Why did you get involved with the vaccination programme?
I was so impressed when I received my first vaccine at the Steam Museum clinic. The professionalism of all those involved made an impression on me which prompted my application for a volunteer role. I also considered it to be my civic duty.
What kind of things were you doing as part of the programme?
I became a volunteer and did my duty for over 13 months which was more or less continuous. I averaged between three and four shifts a week during which I fulfilled many different roles. In the main my task was to meet and greet the patients or in other words I was the first point of contact when they entered the clinic. I am 75 years of age and in good health and will continue my volunteer role for as long as the vaccine programme is in being and for as long as my services are required.
What has been the best thing about being part of the programme?
The best part thing about me being a volunteer was the satisfaction of knowing I was fulfilling an important task at the clinic and helping the country to fulfil its vaccine targets as laid down by the government and medical advisors.
What have you gained from being part of the programme?
I have gained from the programme a fulfilment, satisfaction in the knowledge I have helped my country and community plus made many new friends young and old.