Search for volunteers during busy time for Essex vaccine sites
More stewards are needed at several centres across the county
More volunteers are urgently needed to help at vaccine sites in Essex.
NHS Volunteer Responders are looking for people who can steward at sites including in Colchester, Tendring and Braintree.
Requests for Steward Volunteers have soared in recent weeks and there are now over 2,000 shifts that need filling in sites across the country every day.
The East of England has seen a growing need for steward volunteers and the NHS is calling for help to get local people vaccinated over the summer, particularly in those areas of most vaccination need.
Steward Volunteers support with the efficient and safe movement of patients through vaccination sites, ensuring that social distancing measures are in place and identifying people who require additional support.
The following sites are just some of the sites looking for steward volunteers in the local area:
- Christchurch Clinics, Braintree
- Runnymede Hall, Castle Point
- The Lodge, Chelmsford
- Colchester FC, Colchester
- Murray Hall, Epping Forest
- Harlow Leisure Centre, Harlow
- Rayleigh Mill Centre, Rochford
- Cliffs Pavilion, Southend-on-Sea
- Clacton Hospital, Tendring
- AFC Thurrock Community Hospital, Thurrock
People interested are being asked to go to www.nhsvolunteerresponders.org.uk to sign up as a Steward Volunteer.
Shifts usually last up to six hours with your expenses covered. No experience or qualifications are required and a full briefing is provided on site.
The NHS Steward Volunteers Volunteer Responders programme was set up by the NHS and is delivered by Royal Voluntary Service and GoodSAM. Volunteers use a mobile phone app to choose what shifts they would like to do and when.
This is one of the busiest and most crucial periods of the national vaccination programme.
Over 50 million vaccines have already been delivered and work continues at pace to vaccinate all adults.
Catherine Johnstone CBE, Chief Executive of Royal Voluntary Service said:
"We find ourselves at a crucial moment in the vaccination rollout. There is a real urgency to this, and we are working at pace to get all adults vaccinated as fast as possible.
"There is a particular need for steward volunteers to help the vaccination programme reach communities most in need.
"If you are able to help by joining the team, please don't hesitate. Together we can get the jabs done."
Kelly Southam, a Steward Volunteer from Essex said:
"Seeing what my family and friends have gone through working for the NHS made me think I needed to do something to help.
"I am very used to stewarding at event sites, so I knew I had to sign up. The atmosphere is so positive and the process is so smooth. I love it!"