VOLUNTEERS are needed to help with the roll out of the coronavirus vaccine to vulnerable patients in Colchester.
Charity Community360 is looking to recruit vaccination marshals, who will meet and greet patients and provide information at newly created vaccination centres.
Marshalls will help book in patients, check temperatures, manage queues and traffic as well as assisting with aftercare for patients.
It is hoped their service will speed up the vaccination process as the Government hopes to see more than 13 million vaccinations completed by the middle of next month.
Tracy Rudling, chief executive officer of Community360, said: “This is an exciting opportunity to play your part in protecting the community.
“Our volunteers play an important role in the vaccination rollout, ensuring that safety standards are met during a patient visit, guiding, communicating and offering reassurance to those visiting the vaccine centres.
“If you have some spare time, I urge you to come forward and offer your help to what is the largest vaccination programme in history.
“It will be rewarding, fulfilling and give you a real sense of purpose.”
The charity has already been supporting events in Colchester, Maldon and Braintree and is ramping up its recruitment drive as the Government prepares to step up its vaccination efforts with the new Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine.
Vaccination events also provide an opportunity to give residents information about Community360’s services including its Winter Resilience programme, which helps vulnerable residents stay safe and connected in the cold months.
Mrs Rudling said: “Patients coming into the centre were nervous but extremely thankful that they had the opportunity to obtain the vaccine.
“Many had not heard of Community360 and were happy to hear about what we had to offer, which is a real bonus that we can help in other ways too.”
One volunteer said: “Being part of Community360 is incredibly special.
“Volunteers certainly have a heart to help the community and support those who are vulnerable and in need of support.
“Without volunteers and those who co-ordinate everything from the top, Colchester would find itself losing out on something amazing.”
Volunteers are needed to work all weekdays in both Colchester and Braintree.
For further information about becoming vaccination marshal, visit volunteeressex.org/opportunities/primary-care-centre-vaccination-support-12397.
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