I’m a vaccine volunteer

Throughout my career it has been my pleasure and great privilege to work with some of the most professional and dedicated of teams. When asked what I miss from full-time working life my response is usually: "I don't miss the circus, just the clowns!”.

Having been fortunate enough to secure a volunteer place back in early February at my local vaccine centre, I wondered what I had let myself in for. Well I needn't have worried, I was immediately and warmly welcomed by managers and staff alike, inducted and briefed on the roles and responsibilities then put to work as part of the public response. I quickly came to realise what a very special team I had become part of, a truly multi-talented diverse team of superb professionals and volunteers, drawn not just from the NHS but all walks of life.

It remains very clear that I and all the other volunteers are really valued and are treated by everyone as an essential part of the team. Not words that I use casually, but I can honestly say a truly inspirational and compassionate team working tirelessly with fantastic support from the leadership team and other partners, wholly focused on a very clear objective to deliver the vaccination programme as quickly and efficiently as humanly possible.

Cleverly they have drawn on mine and other volunteers’ skills and experience to maximise the value we can add, which also provides for stimulating work beyond what one would expect as a volunteer. Being a former public servant, serving the community is in the blood and a worthwhile cause, but if I am being really honest being part of such a tremendous team is the real driver that keeps me going back as often as I can. Well that, the biscuits, cakes and other goodies that are so generously shared and donated along with those wickedly sharp senses of humour constantly on the go!

Many new colleagues and friends met and made as well as a genuine sense of being a small part of something very special being delivered by our NHS, So at the end of all this,  will I miss the Covid circus? Not a bit. The NHS and volunteer clowns? More than you can imagine!

Lee Miles