Volunteers a friendly face to help smooth running of flu clinics

SWANSEA Council for Voluntary Service (SCVS) has been working in partnership with the ‘Cwmtawe Cluster’ to explore new ways to involve volunteers in supporting the NHS.

As part of this work, SCVS has recruited meet and greet volunteers to assist the GP Practices within the Cwmtawe Cluster (Cwmtawe Medical Group and Strawberry Place Surgery) during their flu clinics.

Volunteers offer a friendly face and warm welcome as well as enabling the efficient and safe running of the clinics by supporting social distancing measures.

Roxane Dacey, SCVS neighbourhood development officer for Cwmtawe, said: “It has been a fantastic opportunity to be able to support the Cwmtawe Cluster flu clinics with volunteers. We knew that the role would be extremely rewarding and provide a good experience for someone that enjoys talking to people and supporting the community. Feedback from all of our volunteers has been extremely positive.”

Amy Meredith-davies, SCVS health and wellbeing partnerships manager, added: “We are really pleased to be working in partnership with the Cwmtawe Cluster to offer new volunteering opportunities through this initiative. It’s the first time that volunteers have assisted with the flu clinics in this way and it has definitely been a great success for the volunteers, GP practices and patients.

“It is just one element of SCVS’ work with the clusters, which highlights new ways in which volunteers and the voluntary sector can work in partnership with the GP Practices to support patients.”

Karen Joseph, who volunteers at a flu clinic held at Morriston Tabernacle, said: “Being a volunteer offers vital help to people in the community. Given the current situation with Covid, it is so important that as any people receive the flu injection.

“I love meeting people and missed that when I retired but being a volunteer at the clinic has provided me with the opportunity to meet lovely people, connect with the community, help those who are vulnerable and need a little help and even learn new skills.

“I would highly recommend being a volunteer for the flu clinics.”

Fellow volunteer, Shahid Mehmood, said: “I really enjoyed volunteering with SCVS at the flu clinics. I found it a nice way of strengthening the community. It seems a simple act of kindness. But it a great honour to me, as I would be able to give back to the country which has given so much to me.”

While Owen Davies, who recently volunteered at Clydach Primary Care Centre, said: “I enjoyed talking to the patients and was very impressed with the set up and its efficiency – as were those who had their jabs!”

Thanking the volunteers Dr Iestyn Davies, Cwmtawe Cluster Lead, said: “Our aim is to improve the health and wellbeing of the communities we serve, and this cannot be accomplished by GP surgeries and the NHS alone.”

SCVS is currently looking at further volunteering opportunities within the Cwmtawe Cluster, so contact Roxane Dacey, Neighbourhood Development Officer, Cwmtawe, by email to roxane_dacey@scvs. org.uk or phone on 07932 555221 if you are interested.