Volunteers supporting vaccination

Last week saw the go-ahead for vaccination against Covid-19 to begin. An ambitious programme has begun to deliver a vaccination service, which is likely to continue well into 2021.

Health Boards are making arrangements for volunteers to support the mass vaccination programme, in conjunction with County Voluntary Councils and third sector partners.

In Powys, for example, Gail and Gavin are two volunteers, organised by PAVO, who were helping on day one.

Gail explained ‘We all want to get through this as quickly as possible so that we can return to normal. The more people that can help make that happen, the better. I’ve been helping greet people as they arrive and complete their paperwork to make the system as smooth as possible, and entertaining people as they wait. Everyone is really positive, they are all over the moon that we are at this point.’

Gavin has been helping ensure people arrive and park in the right place to make sure they can get to the vaccination centre quickly and those still working at the hospital can carry on. ‘Everyone has been really friendly, it’s been a real pleasure to be able to help’.

THE VOLUNTEER RESPONSE IN WALES

Thanks to the massive response from volunteers earlier during the pandemic, there are volunteers who are already trained and ready to assist. Since the beginning of the year 22,000 individuals have registered on the www.volunteering-wales.net website, some of whom have not yet had the chance to start volunteering.

Local recruitment campaigns are currently being organised according to need, targeting particular volunteer roles in specific geographical areas.

The situation is a changing one and it will be kept under review. Where active recruitment is needed, opportunities will be posted on the website www.volunteering-wales.net.

Meanwhile, general enquiries about volunteering support can be directed to the appropriate email address below.

Volunteers who are qualified to provide first aid or to vaccinate and who want to get involved should contact St John Cymru via their website – www.sjacymru.org.uk/volunteer.

At the start of this more positive chapter in the story of the Covid-19 pandemic and having just celebrated International Volunteers Day with its theme ‘together we can through volunteering’, we can be proud of the ways in which, increasingly, volunteers, voluntary sector organisations and the NHS are finding ways to work together for the health and well-being of our communities.

WHO TO CONTACT ABOUT LOCAL NHS VOLUNTEERING