Vaccine volunteers needed in Southampton

With the crucial booster phase of the largest vaccination programme in NHS history underway, the NHS and NHS Volunteer Responders are urgently calling for more Steward Volunteers in Southampton to support at local vaccination sites.

There is an increasingly high demand for volunteer help as millions of vital COVID-19 booster jabs are now being delivered to the over 50s and the most vulnerable in our communities.

People in Southampton are being urged to step forward to work alongside their local NHS staff as Steward Volunteers to ensure that their communities are vaccinated and safe ahead of winter.

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. They ease pressures on hard working clinical staff and are set to be a valuable asset to the NHS as the change of seasons brings the additional difficulties of flu this winter.

The following sites are just some of the sites looking for steward volunteers in the area:

• Oakley Road NHS COVID Vaccination Centre, Southampton

• University Health Service, Southampton

Sam Ward, Director of Services/Deputy CEO of Royal Voluntary Service said: “The extraordinary support of volunteers has already helped the NHS to deliver vaccinations to over 85% of adults, but the job is not done yet and the fight against COVID is not over.

"Any time you can offer as a Steward Volunteer will ease pressures on your local NHS staff and will make an invaluable difference to the vaccine rollout in Southampton.

"Join us and together we can get the jabs done and save lives this winter.”

People interested are being asked to go to www.nhsvolunteerresponders.org.uk to sign up as a Steward Volunteer. There are lots of shifts to be filled in Southampton and as shifts are flexible, and booked via the GoodSAM mobile phone app, volunteers have total flexibility to choose their shifts. Expenses are covered and experience or qualifications are required and a full briefing is provided on site.

Emma Power Avery, a Steward Volunteer from the South East said: “I had lots of spare time on my hands and really wanted to do something to help the national effort against Covid-19.

"Volunteering has also been really good for my own wellbeing, as it feels good to help out and know what you're doing is appreciated”.

The NHS Steward Volunteers Volunteer Responders programme was set up by the NHS and is delivered by Royal Voluntary Service and GoodSAM.