#MeetTheVaccinators: Volunteering gave Essex woman a reason to get up
Kelly Southam usually works in events, but joined the effort at a mass vaccination site
Last updated 24th Jun 2021
A woman who works in events in Essex says being a part of the vaccine effort gave her a reason to get up in the morning.
This morning for Meet The Vaccinators, we're talking to Kelly Southam, who is an events co-ordinator in normal times - so became an NHS Volunteer Responders steward at a mass vaccination site.
She told Greatest Hits Radio:
"As everybody is in January, I was a bit fed up, a bit sick of lockdown number 3.
"I'd been working from home since March, so I found myself in a bit of a rut really."
So she decided to volunteer and take part in the vaccine effort.
Kelly said that being in the events industry helped with organising people.
She added:
"I think because we are in that events industry, it is in our interest to get everybody vaccinated so we can try and get the country back to normal."
READ MORE: Search for volunteers during busy time for Essex vaccine sites
Kelly said meeting so many people was one aspect she loved:
"Everybody has got a story and I think everybody has got their own reason for volunteering or being a part of the effort.
"What it has made me realise is that most people are lovely!
"We might not always hear that in the news, etc. but generally the majority of the population just want to help and are genuinely kind, caring people."
She told us about one man, who came in his Sunday best, was one of her favourite people to meet:
"He was really excited because his daughter had said she would take him wherever he wanted to go.
"He decided he wanted to go an have fish and chips, which would be the first time in a year.
"So after his vaccine, he was going to go and have his fish and chips.
"He was so happy about it and it really touched my heart."
She says others should get involved in the final push:
"It is just so rewarding.
"There has not been a shift where I have walked away and I have thought 'I wish I hadn't done that'.
"I've always felt a sense of pride."
Meet some other vaccinators
David Atherton won the Bake Off in 2019. He's now serving up vaccines in London
Elvis impersonator Dr Andy Mason vaccinated two of his backing singers, who also happen to be his daughters
Drag Race star Cherry Valentine has been part of the Vaccination programme in Lancashire (presumably not wearing those nails!)
Edgar Woodhead, on the left in his "normal" role as an airline pilot, and on the right, as a vaccinator in Ilkley, Yorkshire