Liz M is a volunteer at Downham and St. John’s.
I decided to help with the vaccination effort for several reasons. First of all, I’d just left work and was looking for an opportunity to volunteer in a capacity that would help people. Secondly, I was obviously aware of what an enormous undertaking it was to vaccinate the entire nation, and how much the health service would be depending on volunteers to get the vaccine to as many people as possible, so I wanted to play a part.
I also loved the fact that I would be doing something to help in my local community, to make being vaccinated a celebration of sorts, and to make the experience a smooth and calm one especially for those who are nervous, unsure or vulnerable. And as vaccination is the only safe way out of this terrible pandemic, volunteering at a centre seemed an important thing to do.
Every time I volunteer I work with mostly new people, yet we all slot into our various roles seamlessly to create a great team that makes the shift run amazingly smoothly and allows us to vaccinate literally hundreds of people at a time.
What’s surprised me most? The size of the operation. On my first shift I was just overawed at the hundreds of people coming through the doors to be vaccinated – literally hundreds more than I’d seen in a year of lockdown – and how this was being replicated at thousands of centres around the UK. It felt incredible to be part of such an enormous effort that also has tremendous longevity until everyone receives two jabs.
What I you think I’ll always remember? The gratitude of the public towards us volunteers. I was taken aback the first time a woman said to me: “Thank you for all that you’re doing.” It didn’t feel that I was doing that much by watching over the observation room. But I guess it’s all those small acts that make the huge difference, and to have that recognised by a member of the public was unexpected, inspiring, and very humbling.