The Herefordshire volunteers behind the vaccine rollout
rossonline
Posted On January 27, 2021
Since the first Covid-19 vaccine was administered in Ross-on-Wye just before Christmas on 19th December, the roll out has been a huge success with around 1,260 patients from south and west Herefordshire being given the first dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech jab in the first weekend alone.
The logistics involved in rolling this out at short notice have been enormous, and only made possible by the dedicated team of volunteers rallied together in a very short space of time by the Ross Lions and Rotary Clubs and the Ross-on-Wye Community Development Trust.
To date, the volunteer teams have completed two Pfizer rollouts at The Larruperz Centre in Ross-on-Wye, the third is due on 29th-31st January, and one Oxford vaccine rollout at three locations – Pendeen, Alton Street and Much Birch GP surgeries.
Due to the high number of people being vaccinated and the need to complete them in quick succession, the vaccine volunteer shifts are packed into three days over the weekends with a total of 28 four-hour shifts, starting at 8am and sometimes continuing until 8pm depending on requirements. With the recent winter weather proving challenging, it has meant that volunteers have had to work through the cold, rain and icy conditions, ensuring they follow social distancing guidelines as well as safely helping the most vulnerable in the community who arrive for their vaccinations.
Richard Williams, the Volunteer Support Services Co-ordinator, (pictured above) is responsible for pulling together the complex rotas which have been taking place over a series of weekends from 19th December. Richard commented: “I have a pool of over 75 active volunteers and ensure that all of them take part in one or more shifts. My scheduling allows for around 25 hours per vaccine rollout and there are three volunteer support teams, each having two volunteers per shift, plus an Onsite Co-ordinator who covers all teams for rest periods and comfort breaks.”
The three key volunteer teams include a Carpark Attendant Team who work outside to supervise the parking area and encourage those who arrive early to wait in their cars due to a no waiting policy within the Larruperz Centre. Once patients are called up, the Door Marshal Team meet patients as they enter – or their carer or family member – and direct them to the reception area where they are called forward for their vaccination by an NHS staff member. Finally, after the vaccination takes place, the Observation Marshal Team receive patients from an NHS staff member, talk with the patients whilst they wait for the statutory 15 minute recovery time, before helping them to leave the centre. In addition to the onsite vaccine team, the Ross Rotary, Lions and Ross Community Development Team also assist the local three local pharmacies (Benjamins, Cohens & Boots) when called upon to deliver medication.
Volunteer #1: Dene Godfrey
What roles do you perform? Door Marshall and Observation Marshall
Describe your day as a volunteer: As a Door Marshall, I check the temperature of every person entering the building and apply antibacterial liquid to the visitors’ hands. Observation Marshalls take the person to the rest area after the vaccination, give them a leaflet to read and note the time they can leave (15 minutes after the vaccination) on that leaflet. Immediately after they have left, their chair is wiped down thoroughly with an antibacterial wipe.
What is your usual job or employment? Retired
Why did you volunteer? I have the time to spare and it’s an enjoyable experience interacting with the people who are being vaccinated.
Tell us something about you: I am a former President of the UK Society of Cosmetic Scientists and my main hobbies are walking, playing guitar and keyboard and jigsaws (and annoying people on Facebook!)
Finally, do you have any other plans during this lockdown? No plans during lockdown, but plenty for when it’s finally lifted and we can get back to normal, whenever that may be.
Volunteer #2: Scott Teasdale
What is your role?Carpark Attendant
Describe your day as a volunteer:We arrive onsite 30 minutes before the shift starts to ensure all the preparations are done including our own Covid test, signing in and getting our hi-viz vests on. Then I greet people, explain the infection control measures in the centre and escort them around the building to the entrance – so we can use a one-way system to maintain the 2m rule throughout their time there. With the time slots given to everyone there is a steady flow of people arriving all day. The aim is to minimise the time people have to wait outside – especially in the cold and wet weather – and yet ensure the clinicians always have some ready for the all-important jab.
What is your usual job or employment?3 years ago I retired from a busy role looking after the facilities management in several London hospitals and escaped to the country – perfect timing!
Why did you volunteer? I joined the Rotary in Ross to keep busy and give something back to the community. So far I’ve helped with the Beer & Cider Festival and Model Railway Exhibition to raise funds for good local causes and have been volunteering to deliver prescriptions to vulnerable or isolating residents in Ross.
Tell us something about you:I am a keen motorcyclist and swimmer (although that’s on hold as I’m not keen on wild swimming)! I’m also an avid DIY-er, spending many hours in my workshop learning carpentry skills – YouTube has been really helpful and I’ve created everything from bespoke wardrobes to small furniture items.
Finally, do you have any other plans during this lockdown? Lockdown has restricted most things but I’m hoping to use the time to finish decorating the house – just a bedroom and bathrooms to go!
Volunteer #3: Rachael Hall
What roles do you perform? Meet & Greet and Observation Marshal
Describe your usual shift: I have done three shifts so far, as a Meet & Greet volunteer, an Observation Marshal, and one as a ‘floater’, helping out where needed. When I first arrive, I have my temperature checked and complete a rapid Covid test which isn’t the most pleasant thing to do! I haven’t managed to do one without gagging yet…! If people need assistance, I help them up the ramp / steps and ensure they are in the building safely. It can be wet and cold but it’s important to keep smiling and be welcoming to everyone coming. Some are nervous about the vaccine, or even being out and about after shielding or isolating for some time. As an Observation Marshal, I look after the patients once they have had their vaccine and ask them to sit down so we can observe them for 15 minutes to ensure they haven’t had a reaction (nobody has yet). We can have quite a few people in the area at one time, all sat socially distanced, so we walk round looking at their times and reminding people to go and checking everyone is OK. I also get to talk to them and have heard some fascinating stories.
What is your usual job or employment? I am currently on furlough from working at Head Office for a children’s residential holiday company.
What made you want to volunteer? I have been on furlough since late March 2020 and have had various volunteering roles since then, including charity shops, Royal Voluntary Service for the NHS and Ross Good Neighbours where I was with the shopping delivery team doing the admin, entering prices and issuing receipts. Not only have I felt like I’ve been helping people in need and the community but it has also kept me busy whilst not working. I have met some great people that I wouldn’t normally meet, and I have enjoyed it. It is something I would definitely like to continue doing when things return to some sort of normality.
Tell us something about you: I like travelling abroad and across the UK (when we were allowed!), reading and cooking. I can’t wait until we are able to meet up with family & friends and spend time with my gorgeous godsons again.
Finally, do you have any other plans during this lockdown? I have just moved house so will be busy stripping wallpaper, decorating and attempt gardening. And waiting to return to work and being back in a routine!
Volunteer #4: Andy Bateman 
What is your role on the team? Concierge, car park supremo and generally hi-visibility and hi-audibility (shouting loudly while wearing a bright yellow jacket) person!
Describe your usual day as a volunteer: I was privileged enough to be involved every day of the first weekend and performed everything from directing cars to taking temperatures. I was even allowed to change some batteries on the thermometer! On the second rollout weekend I was moved from Carpark Attendant inside to a chaperone role. I’d like to add that many of these vulnerable people had not left their homes in months, and to visibly see their reactions when they saw the friendly faces of the volunteers and clinicians – was an absolute pleasure. I was genuinely buzzing at end of my first shift.
What is your usual job or employment? Secondary School Teacher
What made you want to volunteer? I come from a family of public servants (Dad and Grandad were police officers, Mum was a nurse and her parents were social workers and ran children’s homes) – so I seem to be genetically programmed with a sense of duty and an inability to say ‘no’ when someone asks for help! The first weekend was wet cold and weekend two was dry and even colder – but it was a real honour to be involved in something of such importance.
Tell us something about you:Outside of work and family, I guess weight loss (and gain) has been the main story of my life. In the last quarter of a century, I’ve probably lost (and regained and lost again!) a total of around 25 stone on different diets. I joined Slimming World around 5 years ago and this has been the only thing that his given me a sense of longterm control. I’m still not quite back to my target weight – but I am a hundred times healthier than I’ve been in my whole adult life!
Finally, do you have any other plans during this lockdown? To stop yoyo dieting 🙂
Volunteer #5: Stuart Revell 
What volunteer roles have you been doing? Carpark Attendant and Meet & Greet
Describe your usual day as a volunteer: I usually arrive 30 minutes before the shift to get organised, ensure a Covid test is done where necessary and to receive a handover from a previous shift if I’m on the rota for an afternoon. Then it’s four hours of organising parking, collecting people from their cars ready for their vaccination, reassuring the worried, helping those with mobility difficulties, trying to keep any queueing time as short as possible, and meeting/chatting to lots of wonderful people whilst they are waiting.
What is your normal job or employment? I took early retirement from my job as a Primary School Deputy Head just over a year ago. After volunteering as a prescription delivery driver in the first lockdown I’m now employed by a local pharmacy to deliver medicines to some of our older residents, as well as those who may be shielding or self-isolating in Ross on Wye and surrounding villages.
What made you want to volunteer? I wanted to get out and do something practical in the fight against Covid and this felt like a really positive thing to be involved in.
Tell us something about you: One of the reasons for retiring early was to do some travelling and see a bit more of the world. The global pandemic has put a stop to that for the moment but I hope to be able to resume my adventures at some point in the future! At home in Ross I enjoy country walks with my dog Twiggy, reading trashy crime fiction, red wine and good food.
Finally, do you have any other plans during this lockdown?Like many people during lockdown I’ve just been having a thorough declutter, getting some decorating done and doing some research on travel destinations for when this is, hopefully, all over.
Volunteer #6: Susan Hay 
What is your volunteer role? I did one indoor shift, directing patients to an available vaccinator and one outdoor shift, welcoming patients and directing them to the clinic entrance.
Describe your usual day as a volunteer: I have done two 4 hour shifts, both Saturday afternoons from 12pm to 4pm. On both days I have been kept really busy and the 4 hours have passed in no time!
What is your normal job or employment? I work for PGL Travel, based in Ross, arranging trips to France for school and youth groups.
What made you want to volunteer? I like new experiences and meeting new people – volunteering has been a way of continuing this during lockdown. I have felt a huge satisfaction in seeing people come to the vaccination clinics and knowing that they will be protected from Covid.
Tell us something about you: I am originally from Edinburgh but have lived in Ross for nearly 20 years. In normal circumstances I enjoy travel and play the clarinet in a local wind ensemble. During the pandemic I have managed to get out running and for the occasional long walk.
Finally, do you have any other plans during this lockdown? I have two daughters aged 9 and 7 and home schooling is keeping me busy at the moment!
