Those travelling to the Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells to receive a coronavirus vaccine may have noticed a familiar face peeking out from behind a facemask, as the local Member of Parliament volunteered at the mass vaccination site.
In addition to her day job as Member of Parliament for Brecon and Radnorshire, Fay Jones MP has given up her spare time and signed up with the Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations to assist with the smooth running of the mass vaccination site. Miss Jones’ role included directing people on arrival, assisting with paperwork and ensuring social distancing measures are followed.
Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations (PAVO) is co-ordinating formal health and care volunteering opportunities identified by Powys County Council and Powys Teaching Health Board on behalf of the Community Sector Emergency Response Team. Volunteering opportunities can be found on their website here: https://powys.volunteering-wales.net/vk/volunteers/index.htm.
Across Powys 14,000 individuals have now been vaccinated. There are three mass vaccination sites in operation and coronavirus vaccines will also begin to be administered by GPs this week. Vaccinations are by appointment only, and individuals will be invited to receive a vaccination based on the national priority list.
The latest information on the rollout of coronavirus vaccines in Powys can be found on the Powys Teaching Health Board website here: https://pthb.nhs.wales/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccination/.
Commenting on the experience, Miss Jones said:
“Being a volunteer at the mass vaccination centre in Builth Wells is a real privilege and I am so grateful to PAVO for having me. It is a wonderful experience to help people as they come for their vaccine.
“I really cannot thank everyone involved in the vaccine rollout enough. From the volunteers, to the vaccinators, from Powys Teaching Health Board to the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society, everyone has worked their socks off to make this rollout possible. I especially want to thank the six Royal Air Force personnel who have come from RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire to help out. All of them are musicians in the RAF Band and I hope to find a way of organising a musical concert so the entire community can thank them.
“It has been a really tough year for everyone, but there is certainly a palpable relief that vaccines are now reaching the most vulnerable. It was great to see the sense of optimism and hope at the mass vaccination centre.
““I have a few more voluntary shifts coming up at the Royal Welsh Showground and I will continue to work closely with Powys Teaching Health Board to monitor the rollout and resolve any issues constituents are facing.
"As always, if constituents have any concerns or queries, please get in touch!”
