VOLUNTEERS have been praised for the part they have played in the coronavirus vaccine rollout across Herefordshire.

Tens of thousands of people have been vaccinated in Herefordshire, with a substantial amount of those done at five hubs run by GP surgeries across the county.

While trained healthcare professionals have been administering the vaccines, the centres also rely on a number of marshals to guide patients.

Taurus Healthcare, a federation of all 20 surgeries in Herefordshire, has praised the volunteers and said the success of the rollout so far would not have been possible without them.

"This fantastic achievement would not have been possible without the support of the many volunteers who have given up their time to help," Taurus Healthcare said.

"Usually working shifts of between four and six hours, volunteers have worked as car park marshals and in other supporting roles.

"They’ve turned out in all weathers to help keep patients Covid-safe as they visit the centres for their jabs."

RELATED NEWS:

The volunteer programme has come as a result of different organisations, including Healthwatch Herefordshire, Herefordshire Voluntary Organisations Support Service, Herefordshire Councils' Talk Community project, and Taurus Healthcare.

Now, Healthwatch Herefordshire, the group which provides feedback to NHS from patients, has profiled three of the volunteers who have helped at Saxon Hall in Hereford.

The site in Hoarwithy Road, has been used as a vaccination clinic for patients registered at Wargrave House Surgery, Belmont Medical Practice and Cantilupe Surgery.

Jan Coppinger

Now retired, Jan Coppinger, 63, worked as community development worker and a youth worker, so she has always been involved in community action.

After being made redundant eight years ago, she took care of an elderly friend before volunteering for refugee charity People in Motion.

She has delivered aid to One Nation within the UK several times, and has even driven an aid van herself to Calais, France, and cooked for refugees while she was there.

Ms Coppinger, who moved to Hereford in 2007 and has been volunteering as a car park marshal, said: "People that were coming for vaccines had been in their houses and hadn't seen anybody for months.

"It was really important to treat them with respect and welcome them so that they felt that the world is a kind place.

"People are not only going out of their way to be kind to us, but are making us laugh.

"We always wave goodbye to them."

She added: "People have been so grateful and so complimentary about how well organised it is.

"I have experience mutual respect across all roles. Many doctors and nurses offered their gratitude to us as car park marshals."

Lynda Whittle

Bed and breakfast owner Lynda Whittle hasn't been able to properly run her business for the past year, but she has thrown herself into other hobbies such as gardening.

In the past she volunteered for the Alzheimers Society and the cafe in Pontrilas which runs lunch clubs for older people.

Mrs Whittle, 60, moved to Whitchurch five years ago and when the vaccination clinics started at Saxon Hall, put her name forward to help marshal in the car park.

"It was brilliant, I loved it, enjoyed it," she said.

"It's been so lovely and it's so uplifting. You just feel the sense of being part of something.

"It's like a well-oiled machine because whatever part you play in the vaccination process, without each little cog, each little thing, it would fall down.

"All the people that have had their jabs, they come out and they're so thrilled, it's fabulous."

Philip Smith

Retired schoolteacher Philip Smith lives with his wife in Belmont, moving to the county more than 30 years ago.

He is no newcomer to volunteering, having previously helped at his old school in Much Birch, doing admin at a local bowls club, and helping with the Cricket World Cup in Birmingham and Cardiff in 2019.

Mr Smith, 67, got involved as a marshal through HVOSS, saying: "I gave my name and passed it on, and then I was just on an email list.

"It's been the most active thing I've been able to do in lockdown, the car park marshalling.

"It's enjoyable, I'm out and about. It started towards the end of December. I've been doing it at least once a week and last week I did three sessions. There seem to be new people coming through all the time.

"There seemed to be a good team spirit and ethos, everyone worked well together.

"Many people being vaccinated commented on how smoothly organised it all was.

"People are very grateful to have their vaccine, they are very thankful."