Chesterfield charity shop staff volunteer to assist in Covid-19 vaccine rollout efforts

Paul (second from the left) with his driver colleagues at Ashgate Hospicecare.

Staff from Ashgate Hospicecare’s charity shops who volunteered are assisting at the vaccination centres across north Derbyshire, ensuring smooth arrival onsite of those coming for vaccination, efficient patient flow to the clinical assessment and overall onsite safety and security.

Some 76 Ashgate Hospicecare staff are currently on furlough, and the charity said that they had the ideal skills to help with the rollout efforts.

Barbara-Anne, chief executive at Ashgate Hospicecare, confirmed that staff had begun volunteering at the Winding Wheel in Chesterfield and that the charity had received huge interest from furloughed employees.

She said: “We are incredibly proud that staff from Ashgate Hospicecare are volunteering their time to be at the forefront of the fight against this dreadful virus. They have helped to ensure that the sites are safe and that as many people as possible are able to receive the jab.

“They are making a real difference to the national effort to get as many people vaccinated as possible. Not only are they supporting members of the local community, but they are there to support our own frontline workers to receive their vaccine.

“How wonderful that our team can come together, supporting each other and the wider community.”

Paul Street, 60, is a driver for Ashgate’s furniture shop at Hasland and was one of the first to volunteer.

Earlier this month, he began supporting the vaccinations at the Winding Wheel.

Paul said: “Putting myself forward as a volunteer was an easy decision because I wanted to give something back and help get the world back to normal.

"We are living through a global crisis and it will take the actions of a lot of people to stop the spread of Covid-19, and we need that to happen sooner rather than later.

“It is incredibly rewarding volunteering at the vaccination centre, supporting people to overcome the fear of needles or the vaccine itself.

"The best part is seeing those same people come out relieved and happy, realising there wasn’t anything to be afraid of.”