CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS AS COVID-19 BOOSTER VACCINE PUSH EXPANDS

More volunteers are required to support the Covid-19 vaccination programme in Cheshire and Merseyside.

Following the announcement that anyone aged 18 or over, will become eligible for a booster in the coming weeks, thousands more people are expected to come forward for the additional dose of the vaccine.

Vaccination centres and community sites rely heavily on essential volunteers who provide marshalling both within buildings and on car parks to help make sure people feel safe and confident when attending for their appointments.

Patricia Keeley, of the Cheshire and Merseyside Vaccination Programme, said: “We are so grateful to the thousands of people who have already applied, trained and have been delivering in voluntary roles as part of the NHS Covid-19 vaccine team.

“It is thanks to these volunteers, and the many NHS staff who have trained to deliver vaccines or perform other important roles, that we have had enough people to roll out the vaccine programme so successfully up to now.

“However, we will need even more people to help and get involved as volunteers, or temporary staff, for the next phase. So, if you can spare a few hours a week, please sign up – it’s a great thing to do.”

Volunteers – both young and old and from all walks of life – have marshalled at several different community vaccination clinics and large-scale vaccination centres across Cheshire and Merseyside – but we will need even more people as activity ramps up against the variant.

Marshals help patients find their way through the site, from directing them to a parking space, checking they have an appointment, managing the queues and helping them to exit sites safely after their vaccination.

As well as volunteers there are also a number of paid opportunities for people to apply for as the expansion of the programme means that roles such as Registered or Unregistered Vaccinators (training will be provided), Clinical Supervisors, Administrators and Health Care Assistants are also available.

If you want to volunteer to support the vaccination programme anywhere in Cheshire and Merseyside, or to apply for job vacancy, email:

weneedyourhelp@sthk.nhs.uk