Voluntary Action LeicesterShire (VAL) is today issuing a new call to action for volunteers across Leicester and Leicestershire to support with the roll-out of the Coronavirus vaccine.
There are currently multiple sites throughout the city and county that have specifically been set up to begin administering the vaccinations and VAL is working closely with NHS partners to ensure that each site has access to a bank of volunteers to support throughout this vital time.
Those who are able to volunteer will be meeting and greeting people as they arrive for their vaccine, welcoming them, and ensuring they know where to go, who to ask for and what to expect. Every single volunteer will be provided with full PPE and allocated a specific person on site to report to, who will be on hand to support and provide a full induction.
Depending on the site, those looking to volunteer will have access to a variety of shift patterns from two to four hours at a time. Although there isn’t an expectation for volunteers to do a full day, there is a possibility to do this if it suits. The VAL team is happy to work with each individual to find a pattern that works best for them, including regular shifts at the same time each week.
Kevin Allen-Khimani, Executive Manager – Public Sector Contracts and Projects at VAL, said: “As we move towards the next stage of fighting Coronavirus with the roll-out of vaccinations, these volunteers will play an integral role. As we all know, there’s an indefinite timescale to this, so we will be truly grateful for anyone who is able to put themselves forward to help across the coming weeks and months.
“At the moment, we have around 330 individuals signed up to help but we definitely need more people to come forward. There will be strict procedures and policies in place to ensure that volunteers are as safe as possible, and we would love to hear from anyone who is able to give their time.”
If you are able to help – or know someone who can – you can find out more information by calling 0116 2575050 or visiting www.valonline.org.uk / www.volunteerleicestershire.org.uk. Whilst the VAL team is looking for volunteers across the whole of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, they would particularly like to hear from people around Melton and Rutland.