Volunteering

I was privileged to be able to volunteer at a Covid vaccination centre this morning. The clinic was in Wokingham, not far from where I live. There has been a huge response to these volunteer opportunities and it’s very difficult to find an open spot so I was pleased to be able to take part today.

It was an early start, the doors opening just as the sun was rising at 8am. It rained most of the morning and I had an outdoor role so I have to admit I got very wet and cold and and tired. But other than that I really enjoyed being there. It was a happy place and everyone was so pleased to be getting their jab already.

Two of us were at the front door, asking the patients and any escorts 3 very basic health questions to make sure they were well enough to attend. Another volunteer made sure everyone used hand gel as they stepped into the building. Another small team were helping direct people in the car park. The rest was all done inside. The meet and greet role was not too dissimilar to welcoming passengers on a plane - a wide smile (even hidden by a mask) and a cheerful greeting go a long way to helping put people at ease. Other than a couple of younger health care workers, all those vaccinated today were in their 80s or above. Over 2 days the clinic were giving out about 1100 vaccines.

My shift was done at 1130. There was a very nice looking bakery near the centre that I had passed on the way there so I stopped on my way back to the car and got a large loaf of sourdough bread and a couple of other things. When I got home the first thing on my agenda was to have a hot bath to warm me up! Then I sliced into that bread and had it with some cheese and homemade soup while sitting in front of the fire. The rain continued most of the day. I decided to give into it and had a long afternoon nap. It felt so good!

It was a GOOD day! I’m eager to work another shift, though hopefully not in the rain again!