Meet the vaccine volunteers
Thousands of ordinary people have so far stepped up to help make the UK’s coronavirus vaccine effort possible. Here we celebrate just a handful of their stories
Louise Jacobs “All this has given me a great sense of purpose”
When Louise Jacobs (above and right) was furloughed from her job as a dental receptionist, she became increasingly depressed by the news on the telly. As winter approached she felt lost, struggling without the focus of her dayto-day job. So when she heard that the Royal Voluntary Service were looking for NHS Volunteer Responders to help with the coronavirus vaccine, she jumped at the opportunity to get involved.
“I just wanted to do anything I could to get us out of this pandemic and wanted to do something fulfilling, where I could feel like I was actually making a difference,” says Louise.
As a Steward Volunteer at the Wembley Vaccination Centre it’s Louise’s job to welcome people as well as providing any assistance they may need, such as help getting into the building or just a friendly reassuring face if they’re feeling a bit nervous.
She also helps the NHS staff clean down waiting areas and keep the whole process of vaccinating hundreds of people every day running smoothly.
“There’s so much camaraderie and the mood at the vaccination centre is so upbeat,” says Louise.
“I’ve loved meeting so many lovely people, both in terms of the volunteers and staff but also the patients who are often so grateful,” she says. “It’s also been brilliant to see the whole community pull together.”
On one of her shifts, Louise even had a chance to meet the Duchess of Cornwall when she paid a visit to thank vaccine volunteers.
“I think my family are quite proud of me for doing this because it was really easy to sit at home and not do a lot, but all this has given me such a great sense of purpose.”
Katie & Sally Noble “Volunteering kept us close”
When Katie Noble started volunteering with St John Ambulance in her second year of university, it wasn’t long until she’d persuaded her mum Sally to join her local St John branch, too.
After years of helping deliver first aid at events, they’ve both now signed up as vaccine volunteers and together have vaccinated more than 2,000 people since January. “Giving that first injection was definitely nerve-wracking but also so exciting as it felt like I was part of a moment in history,” says Sally.
“On that first day I had a 96-year-old tell me this was the first time she’d left the house in over a year and it made me feel very humbled to be able to give her the vaccine,” she adds.
As for Katie, having spent time at the start of the pandemic volunteering to help the sickest of coronavirus patients at London’s Nightingale Hospital, she says giving the vaccine feels like she’s playing a small part in a very big picture.
That’s why as well as giving people the vaccine, she’s also unit leader of her local vaccination centre, meaning she coordinates the rota of vaccine volunteers and welcomes new recruits. “This has given me such a day-to-day purpose and I’ve seen all kinds of reactions from people. We’ve had tears of joy but also some sombre moments – especially with older patients who have lost their relatives to Covid. Getting vaccinated for them has been a moment to reflect and remember.”
The fact mum and daughter have both been volunteering, albeit at different sites, has also been a lovely bond between them at a time when they’ve only been able to snatch rare moments to see each other around the coronavirus restrictions.
“Mum and I often message each other about how our shifts have gone and it’s nice that even though we’re far away, we’re having relatively similar experiences and that provides a lovely connection,” says Katie.
Pauline Beckett “I wanted to put my skills to use”
For retired teacher Pauline Beckett, helping deliver vaccines was a way to tap into a lifelong love for helping others.
“I was a nurse as a young adult but then had to give it up after an assault, so I always felt like I had unfinished business in nursing and skills I wanted to put to use again one day,” says Pauline.
“When I learned St John Ambulance were recruiting vaccine volunteers I knew it would be great for me.”
As a volunteer at one of the very first vaccine sites to open in Bristol’s Ashton Gate Stadium, Pauline was blown away by the amazing sense of gratitude and relief she found among the patients she met.
“I’ve loved talking to older patients who often tell me this feels like the war effort with everyone pulling together, but also helping reassure the patients who come in with phobias or fears,” she says. Pauline also spends several days a week packing syringes and needles for the Covid vaccine at a local NHS warehouse.
“As someone for whom the isolation of the pandemic was quite damaging, I’m so grateful for what this experience has given me, allowing me to get out of the house and to help contribute.”