Volunteers, we thank you - Public Health Dorset
Volunteers, we thank you
Thousands of people across the county have provided an invaluable contribution to the emergency services and public services response during an unprecedented and challenging time.
Providing vital support to some of our most vulnerable residents, volunteer action includes delivering shopping and food parcels, collecting medication, coordinating hot meals and foodbanks, befriending phone calls, managing money, patient transport and doorstep chats to help with loneliness.
Cllr Nicola Greene, Portfolio Holder for COVID-19 Resilience and Public Health at BCP Council said: “The work of volunteers during the pandemic has been incredible. So many people have stepped up to support others, whether helping with vital collections and deliveries, supporting the vaccination programme, offering a much-needed listening ear to those who have needed it or sharing their time in numerous other ways.
“We are enormously grateful to each and every volunteer for the time and energy they have given to support our community.”
Cllr Laura Miller, Dorset Council portfolio holder for Adult Social Care and Health, said: “I want to say a heartfelt thank you to all of our amazing volunteers for all that you have done and all that you continue to do to help our communities.
“The strength and resilience that you have shown has been outstanding. We could not have achieved all that we have, had it not have been for you.
“I encourage anyone who would like to volunteer to sign up. Although the Prime Minister has set out the road map for ending lockdown restrictions, many people may still be nervous about going out but we are all in this together and we will get through this by supporting each other.”
Volunteers have also been helping out in hospitals and across the vaccination sites including GP led hubs, hospitals and the large vaccination centre at the BIC, which alone has seen nearly 2,000 people sign up to give support 12 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Kate Harvey, the Dorset HealthCare Service Director responsible for the large vaccination centre in Bournemouth, said: “Volunteers have played an integral part in the roll-out of the vaccination programme and in many of our other services. They have been wonderful at welcoming and supporting our patients, keeping them at ease and guiding them through the process. They work absolutely side by side with our staff and the vaccination programme just wouldn’t have been possible without them – our volunteers are fantastic and deserve a huge thank you!”
Chief Nursing Officer at Dorset County Hospital Nicky Lucey said: “Our volunteers have been absolutely amazing. They have been key in supporting the COVID vaccination programme rollout and have brought with them an energy that has been inspiring and uplifting for our staff.
“They have also continued to volunteer across the hospital during the ongoing pandemic, bringing their passion for the community to the forefront. I am humbled and grateful for their support and thank them immensely on behalf of everyone at Dorset County Hospital.”
A partnership approach has been the key to success across the county. Both councils, NHS and emergency services along with the voluntary and community sector collaborated from the start to make sure people could get the help they needed.
Chief Constable James Vaughan of Dorset Police, said: “I have been amazed at the level of commitment, dedication and selflessness shown by all the volunteers who have played such a huge part in the Dorset Local Resilience Forum’s COVID-19 response.
“From coordinating the delivery of food parcels and medicine, to supporting care homes and the fantastic volunteer provision at the Bournemouth International Centre’s vaccination site, these men and women have stepped up and offered their time to help our communities through a very tough and difficult year.
“I would like to thank them all on behalf of the residents of Dorset – our partnership response to this pandemic would not have been as successful without them.”
Area Manager Seth Why, from Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Over the last year, personnel from across our organisation have taken on roles very different to their usual day job. This has included driving ambulances, fitting facemasks for colleagues in the health and social care sector, delivering food parcels and now supporting the mass vaccination centres. This willingness to help has been reflected across our communities, and I sincerely thank everyone who has offered their time and enthusiasm to support other people.”
People of all ages regularly volunteer in Dorset and their work across the county is invaluable. Volunteering also brings its own reward. It can increase a person’s wellbeing, bring a closer connection to local communities, and provide new skills and experience.
The commitment and dedication volunteers have shown to help local people during the pandemic is outstanding and something we can be very proud of in Dorset.