The NHS has issued an urgent call for more steward volunteers at Covid-19 vaccination centres in the North East.
NHS Volunteer Responders, which was set up by NHS England in March 2020 as part of the pandemic response, says there is a high demand for volunteer help at sites in the region.
A spokesperson said requests for steward volunteers have soared in recent weeks and there are now over 2,000 shifts that need filling in sites across the North East every day.
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The region has seen a growing need for steward volunteers and the NHS is calling for help to get local people vaccinated over the summer, particularly in those areas of highest vaccination need.
Steward volunteers help with the efficient and safe movement of patients through vaccination sites, ensuring that social distancing measures are in place and identifying people who require additional support.
The following sites are just some of the sites looking for steward volunteers:
- M&M Escomb Road Pharmacy, County Durham
- Birtley Medical Group Practice, Gateshead
- Newcastle Racecourse
- Newcastle Eagles
- Hexham Mart, Northumberland
- Wellway Pharmacy, Northumberland
- Redhouse Pharmacy, Sunderland
- Nightingale Hospital, Sunderland
People interested are being asked to go to www.nhsvolunteerresponders.org.uk to sign up as a Steward Volunteer. Shifts usually last up to six hours with your expenses covered. No experience or qualifications are required and a full briefing is provided on site.
The NHS Steward Volunteers Volunteer Responders programme was set up by the NHS and is delivered by Royal Voluntary Service and GoodSAM. Volunteers use a mobile phone app to choose what shifts they would like to do and when.
This is one of the busiest and most crucial periods of the national vaccination programme. Over 50 million vaccines have already been delivered and work continues at pace to vaccinate all adults, with 25-29 year olds recently added to the list.
Catherine Johnstone CBE, chief executive of Royal Voluntary Service, said: “We find ourselves at a crucial moment in the vaccination rollout. There is a real urgency to this, and we are working at pace to get all adults vaccinated as fast as possible.
"There is a particular need for steward volunteers to help the vaccination programme reach communities most in need. If you are able to help by joining the team, please don’t hesitate. Together we can get the jabs done.”
