Volunteering as a Vaccination Steward

[KihoBebiluPute]

Apologies if there is already a thread for this, I looked but didn't find one.

I have volunteered to be a vaccination steward via GoodSamApp (this is a system that existed pre-covid for medical people to be alerted if there was a crisis nearby, that has been adapted for this use.

The application process really simple. Just a few very basic details and proof of identity required. A few days later for them to do their admin and very little hassle on my part, and I am registered to be called upon when needed.

I have no idea whether they have enough volunteers yet but thought I would share how quick and easy it was. I am glad to have done something positive towards helping. You can volunteer too in just a few moments by clicking the link above. Time commitment is a minimum of 2x6 hr shifts per month but obviously you can do more if you want.

Ii would also like to use this thread to make contact with others who are registered in the same way so we can share experiences of how it works when we are called upon. So far, having been through this nice easy application process, I have the app on my phone and am just waiting for call to action. No idea really what comes next so if you have also registered please post here and we can keep each other informed once stuff starts happening.

There was a link to an application form on our GP's Facebook page. I filled in the volunteer form about a week ago but haven't heard anything. I'd happily do a few car park steward shifts at the weekends. I'm not keen on being inside though - although it would obviously be warmer.

I'm assuming as they haven't been in touch they already have enough people to help. I would have liked to do something to help though as it's such an important thing.

Approved and set up 2 days ago and no tasks yet!

I have my distance set at 25km although don't want to go that far. Are we assuming they don't actually need the volunteers in my area?

I have also signed up on this. Not heard anything until yesterday when had tasks come through while out walking. I noted there were several shifts but thought I would look closer when I got home but when I looked later they had all disappeared so I presume they were filled.

I signed up via the GoodSam app last Wednesday and just today I have received an email from them approving my application. I’ve downloaded the app, just waiting for “tasks” now 🙂

I was asked by my friend who is a GP if I would help out. I’ve been helping since 7.30 this morning in the room where the patients wait for 15 mins. It was lovely. As a bonus I was also offered a vaccination at lunchtime.

Just joining in if that’s ok - I signed up last week and have been sat patiently waiting for tasks to come through but nothing as of yet.

I completed my first shift with St John’s yesterday. Helping out with g

Pressed too soon...

Helped out with clients who had had their vaccinations or were a bit anxious. Had a great day. Got my vaccination done too as a bonus.

I didn’t do any vaccinations myself as I need to complete the clinical competencies and there were so many professionals doing it that they didn’t need me. I assume we’ll be trained up before the doctors/nurses move back to their normal roles.

That's interesting- there was a vague mention at the interview of being offered a vaccine but it wasn't confirmed. Which vaccine was it? And how have you felt since?

Anyone else had any 'tasks' come through yet?
I'm still patiently waiting hoping to help out!

No I haven’t had any - was just coming on here to ask if anyone who has managed to book a task gone on at a particular time of day to see tasks where there? I’ve tried refreshing the tasks screen at all different times of day and no luck so far

Nope. No tasks here either. Our local centre seems to have a local volunteer group helping out so perhaps they have it covered?

Volunteered with Lancashire volunteer partnership. I completed my 13 online training courses and I have my first shift as an indoor Marshall on Thursday. Not sure what to expect.

Yay, sand how exciting! I'm actually jealous! Come back and tell us all about it.

Nope I've still not had any tasks either . I've done lots of refreshing too! I read today that Bobby Norris from Towie is now certified as a vaccinator with St John Ambulance, and he has as much medical experience as me -ie none.

I'm volunteering at my local vaccine hub but didn't do it through the GoodSam App, I found whenever I did anything through that nothing materialised!

My local pharmacy are running the vaccine hub and I applied through their facebook page, so that may be a good place to look if anyone is wanting to help out

Resurrecting this old thread because at last I have been able to volunteer! After weeks/months of there never being anything to volunteer for, the goodsam app is currently full of opportunities. I have accepted the ones I can do but there are loads of others on there so if anyone else was giving up on ever being needed, now may be a good time to check!

There was a very pleasant gentleman checking temperatures when I went for my jab yesterday. He was using an ear thermometer which isn't ideal as he needed to touch people.
And he wasn't using a disposable cover, or any kind of cover.
So when it was my turn I pointed this out as nicely as I could and he told me he'd run out of covers! A nurse overheard him and brought some.

When I had my jab earlier in the week they had a no-contact IR thermometer, but the place I volunteered at today were not checking temperatures at all. I spent half the shift sanitising clipboards, pens and chairs between each user, and the other half marshalling the queue outside in the sunshine.

@KihoBebiluPute

Resurrecting this old thread because at last I have been able to volunteer! After weeks/months of there never being anything to volunteer for, the goodsam app is currently full of opportunities. I have accepted the ones I can do but there are loads of others on there so if anyone else was giving up on ever being needed, now may be a good time to check!

That’s good to hear! I finally finished the various admin hoops to be an sja volunteer and it’s almost impossible getting a shift. They are blaming the nhs for telling them to hire x people and then not making shifts available for us. Anyway I have done one excellent shift where I was the admin person finding and filling in the patient records next to a vaccinator. The second time I was there at 7.45am to find it cancelled and nobody’d told me. Not impressed by that. Hopefully will be able to go again but shifts are extremely difficult to come by.