In Your Shoes: Covid:19 Vaccination Assistants
To support the role out of Covid-19 Vaccinations Dundee Volunteer and Voluntary Action recruited a large group of volunteers who could support in welcoming people to the Caird Hall and making them fell at ease.
‘Spreading a little kindness doesn’t take a lot but means a lot‘ Patricia, Sheila, Ellen and Agnes tell us a little bit about volunteering to support people receiving their Covid-19 Vaccinations.
Name & Volunteer role: Agnes Leonard – Caird Hall Covid-19 Mass Vaccination Centre
What inspired you to volunteer? Wanted to help others
What do you enjoy the most about volunteering? Meeting people
How has Covid-19 impacted on your volunteering and what are you looking forward to the most? I think my mental health was suffering so getting out and meeting others helped me
What would you say to others about volunteering? They should try it
Why does volunteering matter to you? Self worth in doing something worthwhile
Name & Volunteer role: Patricia Maxwell – Caird Hall Covid-19 Mass Vaccination Centre
What inspired you to volunteer? I was inspired by the Nursing staff during the pandemic to help out. Being confined to home during lockdown and seeing how overstretched the NHS was I thought if I could help out in some way even if just to bring a smile to a face.
What do you enjoy the most about volunteering? I enjoy meeting the people turning up , chatting to them before or after the vaccine , reassuring them . Some people had never been out of their houses for many months and were quite anxious. a number of people commented after the vaccine that it was nothing to worry about. I also enjoyed the ‘banter’ with the nurses , having a bit of a chat between vaccines, making them smile.
How has Covid-19 impacted on your volunteering and what are you looking forward to the most? COVID 19 encouraged me to volunteer during the pandemic to support the NHS in some way. I have previous volunteering experience with adult learning, Home Start, Trustee at Heart Space , and it doesn’t take a lot to help someone, a friendly face, kind word and a cup of tea can make such a difference to someone’s day.
What would you say to others about volunteering? There are many ways that you can volunteer to make a difference no matter how small it may seem to you, it means a lot to someone else.
Why does volunteering matter to you? I think it is important to give something back. Spreading a little kindness doesn’t take a lot but means a lot
Name & Volunteer role: Sheila Dubas – Caird Hall Covid-19 Mass Vaccination Centre
What inspired you to volunteer? To help be a part of the solution to a crisis. I’m a fixer by nature, and being able to help be part of fixing a global problem was my reason to volunteer.
What do you enjoy the most about volunteering? To help be a part of the solution to a crisis. I’m a fixer by nature, and being able to help be part of fixing a global problem was my reason to volunteer.
How has Covid-19 impacted on your volunteering and what are you looking forward to the most? I have had volunteer roles in the past, but never felt one with such emotion and impact attached. I’m looking forward to stopping, but also will be sad to stop… which sounds odd but I enjoy the shifts, and look forward to working, however I know when it all ends it will be because we have achieved the goal. That will be a good moment when that happens.
What would you say to others about volunteering? It’s always worth giving back to the community, if you’re able to help then you should do. For anyone who likes to problem solve and fix things especially!
Why does volunteering matter to you? It’s always worth giving back to the community, if you’re able to help then you should do. For anyone who likes to problem solve and fix things especially!
Name & Volunteer role: Ellen Drew – Caird Hall Covid-19 Mass Vaccination Centre
What inspired you to volunteer? I work full time in the NHS, but due to me role ( I am the head of the labs in the Assisted Conception Unit) I have been very protected from the stress of the pandemic, unlike many of my colleagues at the front line, and I was glad of an opportunity to do something more.
What do you enjoy the most about volunteering? There are many things I enjoy about it; the feeling that I have done something positive during the pandemic, meeting lots of staff from different backgrounds and being in a different environment.
How has Covid-19 impacted on your volunteering and what are you looking forward to the most? The Covid-19 pandemic is what made me step forward as a volunteer. Initially I started it while using up annual leave before the end of the leave year, but I have carried on at the weekends, as I enjoy it so much.
What would you say to others about volunteering? I would say that it is a very positive thing to do, and that interaction with many different sorts of people definitely builds confidence.
Why does volunteering matter to you? It has made up for a slight sense of guilt that I hadn’t done as much as others in the pandemic. It has been very satisfying helping to put people at ease and make them feel reassured when the are potentially stressed in that environment.
To find out more about current volunteering opportunities check out our volunteer search.
