Wednesday, 27th January 2021
All staff – from lifeguards and beauty therapists, to gym instructors and swimming teachers – have volunteered to help roll out the COVID vaccine in Pendle.
They are sharing shifts at Yarnspinners Health Care Centre in Nelson and Colne Health Centre, every Thursday to Sunday, guiding patients to the correct entrance from the car park; checking in patients and guiding them to the correct treatment room; observing patients after the vaccine and continually disinfecting bays.
This is along with other volunteers from the local community.
Pendle Leisure Trust’s Chief Executive, Alison Goode, said: “We were approached by the NHS for some support with the vaccination roll out programme in Nelson and Colne; and decided this was a brilliant opportunity for us to be involved in making a positive difference by getting as many of the local people vaccinated as possible.”
Last year, between the beginning of April and when the Trust’s leisure facilities reopened at the end of July, a team of furloughed staff volunteered seven days a week in the Pendle Community Support Hub, which was set up to co-ordinate support for the borough’s most vulnerable residents and those without a circle of friends or family nearby to help them.
The team of fitness instructors, lifeguards, beauty therapists, reception and admin staff swapped their usual roles to volunteer in the hub, taking calls and responding to emails to match people up with the support they badly need.
They also called back the hundreds of residents who contacted the Hub to make sure they had received the help they needed, as well as making thousands of outbound calls to people who had been identified as vulnerable or who were on an NHS shielded list – which they are still doing on a regular basis.
Alison added: “We are really pleased again to be supporting Pendle Council and the NHS, playing our part in helping the local community during this very difficult time.”
Pictured: West Craven Sports Centre Customer Focus Manager, Shaun Grant and Graphic Designer, Antony Whittaker at Colne Health Centre