Councillor reveals work at jab centre
ACOUNCILLOR has spoken of his experience volunteering to help with the Covid19 vaccine – and is now encouraging people to take up the vaccine.
Labour Coun Tom Besford, for Littleborough Lakeside, has volunteered at the Phoenix Centre and now tries to fit in one shift a week at the Littleborough vaccine site – the leisure centre, on Calderbrook Road.
The dad-of-two has always enjoyed volunteering.
Coun Besford said: “I have always helped out with volunteering whenever I can.
“I was involved before Christmas with collecting food parcels from the community warehouse.
“I have always helped out whenever there’s an opportunity to – it’s how I became a councillor.
“I had an email from a colleague at the council who said that they were looking for volunteers and would I be interested.
“I said of course, and that was in early January.
“I went to the Phoenix Centre and did a shift there.
“I got in touch with council officers and said I think we should call out to all councillors that there are volunteer shifts available.
“I know every councillor, regardless of political party, is only interested in supporting their community and the borough as a whole.”
Coun Besford’s duties at the vaccine centre including welcoming people at the door, queue management, answering any questions, helping people to fill out forms, monitoring those who wait the 15 minutes afterwards, and disinfecting seats.
He added: “Now every time I go into the vaccine centre there are lots of councillors volunteering.
“We’re all feeling a bit helpless at the moment not being able to go out and about like usual.
“I thoroughly enjoy volunteering – it’s a great way to get out of the house and I feel like I am making a difference. I like meeting and talking to people.
“It’s a good way to chat to people about how they’re doing and how they’re coping.
“I work full-time and have two kids under five so it’s a struggle to find the time but I have been trying to do one shift a week.
“There are two shifts, from 7.30am to 2pm, and then up to 8pm.
“I get my steps in and meet lots of people and I’m able to speak to GPS.
“I took pictures to try and give people an idea of what it loos like inside.
“I would encourage as many people as possible to take up the vaccine.”