Vicky Walker spoke with volunteer Roy at Downham Vaccination Hub in October 2021.
TRANSCRIPT:
Vicky: Hi, this is Vicky Walker, for Lewisham Vaccination Stories. It’s an overcast October afternoon and we have a lull in vaccinations. And I am here, talking to my fellow volunteer, Roy. Hi, Roy.
Roy: Hi, Vicky.
Vicky: Hello. So, I believe you and I started around the same time. How did you come to volunteer for the NHS?
Roy: Well, one of my running partners, her sister is a GP. And I got a text message from my running partner, saying, “Would you like to do this vaccination stuff?” And that was a long time ago, back in January. And it sounded a great thing, so I went for it.
Vicky: Years and years ago, January, it feels like it.
Roy: A long time, yes.
Vicky: So, you and I were probably here at the same time. You went to St. John’s, right?
Roy: Well–
Vicky: What places have you been to?
Roy: I’ve been to St. John’s, I’ve been to Downham, and I’ve been to the Waldron. But I’ve done more at Downham than anywhere else.
Vicky: And is that just because it’s easier to get here, or…?
Roy: Yes, probably. Well, it’s a bit of a chance really, but I have fallen into a pattern of coming to Downham.
Photo illustration featuring Roy (left) by Polly Coppa Boreham
Vicky: And how was the pandemic and lockdown going for you, before all this came along?
Roy: It’s all been fine; you feel a bit guilty about it. My wife and I, we have stayed healthy and fit throughout, with not any problems getting groceries or anything like that. We’ve got a nice garden. So, we have just been having a good time.
Vicky: It has been very different for everybody, I think, if you’ve had the time to spare. But then obviously you had time to volunteer, so what made you decide? You just thought, “I’ve got time, I’ll do this”?
Roy: I’ve got time. I was asked by this friend of mine, and it just seemed absolutely the right sort of thing to do.
Vicky: And looking back to the Roy from January, would you have any advice for that younger version of you? What would you say about how it has all gone this year?
Roy: Well, I’ve been very pleased to do it. It has been very satisfying. It makes me feel better in myself.
I think when I first started, there was a bit of nervousness. And I thought, am I going to be exposing myself, so to speak, to people who might be ill? Is it going to be difficult to do? But not at all, it has all been very straightforward and easy, and fun.
Vicky: You have enjoyed it. I have enjoyed it, it has been wonderful.
Roy: Mmmhmm.
Vicky: In lots of ways. Although, like you say, right at the beginning, we were all thinking, “Gosh, this is the most people I have been in a room with for ages,” and some of them were clearly a lot older and vulnerable. But was it easy for you to get your vaccination yourself?
Roy: Dead easy, yes. The first session I came to, I had my first jab. And the others have all slotted in at the appropriate time. It was good.
Vicky: And you’ve had your booster now as well?
Roy: I’ve had my booster as well, yes.
Vicky: So, we are obviously coming to– Well, not the end, there will be lots more vaccinations to do. We have started the boosters and we’re seeing a lot of older people. Do you have any advice for people that still haven’t had the vaccine?
Roy: Well, my view… The reason I have had the vaccines is not so much to protect me, it’s to protect other people from me. It’s a very — It also means that, if I were ever to get COVID, it wouldn’t be so severe. But it’s good for other people around you and it’s good for you.
Obviously, there will be a few people who have got very specific reasons why they might not want a vaccination. But for most people, it is a good, social, conscientious, helpful thing to do.
Vicky: Absolutely. Definitely. Well, thank you very much, Roy, I appreciate it. And I’ll see you at the volunteer sessions.
Roy: Yes, look forward to it.
Vicky: Cheers. Thank you. Bye-bye.