Another Experience of Hope……..

The week before last, I had an email which many people are waiting for…..the opportunity to have the Covid Vaccine.

My local NHS Trust, Humber, has many many people who volunteer their time to do all sorts of things, telephone befrienders, drivers, and lately helping out at Gp surgeries that have been under pressure. I’ve written pieces in the past and was part of the team delivering the Trust Induction until Covid struck. I’m also their Research Ambassador. 

Well, as I said, last week we all had an email stating that we could have the Covid vaccine. To say I was excited was an understatement. If I’d have waited until my Gp surgery called me it would have been many weeks, even months before it became my turn. However, the Trust has been using volunteers to help man the car parks and queues for staff to have the vaccine and it was felt necessary to offer the vaccine out to all volunteers, such is the value placed upon them, at the same time as the staff.

It was easy to book the time slot and the venue was at the Trust Headquarters where I deliver my bit of the Induction in the past, so I thankfully knew it well. My time was 17.30 on the Friday. Luckily Gemma was free to drive me.

We’d been told to arrive in plenty of time in case parking was a problem. The evening was foggy, cold and becoming icy so we were there before 5pm allowing plenty of time. The signage was brilliant as were the volunteers on duty that evening. Despite the cold, they were smiley and soooo friendly, telling us exactly what to do. They were running early so luckily I could go straight in.

I followed the instructions and arrows told me where to go, people at every stage beaming with a smile and showing me the next stage. Asking me all the questions, before showing me to the cubicle where an equally smiley nurse showed me to a seat. 

As we went through more checks and she prepared the vaccine,  we chatted and she told me how emotional some people had been on receiving the vaccine.

Many staff have probably been to hell and back during this past year; working extra shifts, looking after Covid patients and seeing many die and even going through Covid themselves. Wanting to protect their families but knowing they had a job to do. My daughter Sarah, is one of them. 

It was a strange feeling as I sat in the resting room afterwards. A combination of staff and volunteers all being monitored to check we were ok afterwards. It was a combination of relief and hope. The vaccination signals a hope that a new future is just around the corner and I felt very privileged to be one of those people sat there post vaccine. 

Thank you Humber NHS Trust……