Coronavirus: Council thanks vaccination volunteers

Shropshire Council leader Peter Nutting is praising the efforts of vaccination volunteers across Shropshire.

Several local vaccination centres are now up and running, as well as GP-led and hospital vaccination hubs, and hundreds of volunteers from all walks of life have been working hard to support medical staff as they carry out the enormous task of vaccinating residents against COVID-19. Volunteers are needed to meet and greet, register people and support people’s general wellbeing.

Steven Harris, 67, is an engineer as his ‘day job’ – helping to design silicon chips that end up in our TVs. He also has an important volunteer role at the Shrewsbury Vaccination Centre – making sure people are feeling well after their jab.

Steven Harris is volunteering at Shrewsbury Vaccination Centre

Steven said:

“I normally volunteer at local schools by promoting engineering, but obviously that has had to be scaled back during the pandemic.

“I was keen to keep busy, so I decided to volunteer with the vaccination programme. I am there to greet people after their vaccination to make sure they are feeling well enough before they leave.

“The whole process has been really rewarding. It was interesting to see the first few people get their jabs and the whole atmosphere has been brilliant. People have been so grateful to receive their vaccination.”

Angie Walshaw, 57, lives a stone’s throw away from Church Stretton Medical Practice, which is one of several GP-led vaccination hubs across the county.

She is no stranger to volunteering, even running a local meals-on-wheels service for residents on Christmas Day.

Angie said:

“I have been volunteering throughout the pandemic, I volunteer with the Mayfair Centre next door and have been doing a meals-on-wheels service for residents who need it.

“I am here today as a marshal. The overriding aim to get as many people vaccinated as soon as possible, and I am just happy to play my part here in Church Stretton.

“When I turned up for my first shift, I was immediately impressed by the whole set up and there is a real sense of team spirit.”

Angie Walshaw is one of the volunteers helping out at Church Stretton Medical Practice

Shropshire Council’s Leader Peter Nutting said:

“I’m incredibly impressed by the efforts of our volunteers – our unsung heroes. On behalf of everyone at Shropshire Council, I would like thank you all for helping with the vaccination rollout programme.

“Your efforts are a true reflection of the spirit shown by Shropshire’s residents throughout the pandemic.

“I also want to extend my thanks to all those who are helping to keep our town’s most vulnerable residents safe during these challenging times

“Shropshire has a truly outstanding health and social care workforce who, through this vaccination programme, are providing hope to so many of our communities.

“I would urge anyone who has been invited to get a vaccine to come forward and attend. I can assure you it will be a safe, well-managed and stress-free process.”