Local News
Issue 1150
Call 0114 283 1100
28th January 2021
www.looklocal.org.uk
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Sheffield Arena opens as NHS COVID-19 Vaccination Centre HUSBAND and wife, Colin, aged 78, and Rita, aged 79, Moss from Barnsley were among the first people to get their COVID19 vaccination at the new NHS Vaccination Centre within Sheffield Arena when it opened at 10am on Monday January 25. The Arena venue is in addition to over 30 primary care sites across the region where GPs and their teams are already working around the clock vaccinating some of the region’s most vulnerable residents. In the first instance people aged 75 and over within a 45 minute drive of the Arena will receive a letter from the national NHS booking service inviting them to either book a vaccination at the arena or if they already have an appointment at their local GP vaccination hub they can disregard the letter. Equally if it is more convenient to wait and have their vaccination at their local primary care centre then individuals can also choose not to book at the Arena. The Arena will be open seven days a week and will be run by Sheffield Teaching Hospitals on behalf of the NHS national vaccination programme. Rita said: “Colin and I feel really lucky to be getting our vaccines and I’ve never looked forward to getting an injection in my arm as much as I have over the past few days even though I don’t like needles. “I would definitely encourage others to have their jab when it’s their turn; not just to save themselves, but to save others from this horrible virus too. The vaccine is a brilliant, brilliant thing. It will give us peace of mind and make us feel a lot safer but we won’t be changing what we do or who we see in the short term because we know how important it is to keep following the guidelines until more people have been vaccinated. I take my hat off to everyone who has helped us get to this point.”
and volunteers are pulling out all the stops to deliver the vaccination programme as quickly as we can across South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw. It is tribute to their hard work that we have already vaccinated thousands of our most vulnerable residents.
“The Arena opening today is another step forward in rolling out the vaccination programme and it has been fantastic to see people like Rita and Colin getting their vaccinations and being protected against this awful Dr Jennifer Hill, Medical Director (Opera- virus. tions) at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: “GPs, nurses, pharma- “We are asking people to help us by not turncists and countless other NHS staff, partners ing up at the Arena unless they have an ap-
pointment as we cannot vaccinate people ad hoc. The teams at the arena, at our hospitals or GP surgeries cannot make appointments for the Arena and so by calling or turning up turning up it will simply take time away from the staff who are vaccinating and that is the last thing anyone wants to happen.” “As well as NHS colleagues, I would also like to thank the team at the Arena who have been simply amazing. First they supported us to create a drive through blood testing service so that our most vulnerable patients could still have their blood tests safely and now they
have been instrumental in our planning for the vaccination programme roll out.” Finally a plea that over these next few months, even if you have had your vaccine, you must continue to wash your hands regularly, limit contact with other people unless it is essential and wear a mask when required. Our hospitals are fuller than ever before with patients who have COVID-19 and if we are to get control of this awful virus we need everyone to do all they can to limit transmission to others whilst we continue to vaccinate the population.”
Volunteering Matters - Sporting Chance NEVER has the power and influence of volunteering been more influential in local communities than it is right now. At last, those who are most in need, or those in isolation or suffering from loneliness or mental health issues are being engaged and assisted. But there is still lots of work to be done and there are still people who cannot access services due to lack of awareness or lack of I.T. skills. Many free hours of time have been given up by volunteers in numerous organisations across Sheffield and nationally and we cannot thank everyone of them enough for making a difference. Volunteering Matters (A National Charity) have been involved in volunteer recruitment
on the National Journey Makers Programme (safe travel advice) on the Sporting Chance Scheme across Sheffield and Rotherham and locally in Stocksbridge. Although the project names sounds like they only do sport, they do a lot more than that and have numerous engagement and support systems. Last year they began a pilot programme for a pen pals letter writing scheme, which due to its success is now being rolled out nationally. It was aimed particularly at those who were unsure or unable to join online activities. Those that benefitted were very appreciative. Craig said, “It’s nice to know that someone out there is thinking about me,” Wallace aged 92 remarked, “I’ve hardly been out of the house in months, I was sent a gift at Christmas and also got a phone call on Christmas eve from my pen pal which was such a nice surprise.”
A spokesperson for Volunteering Matters said: “We are now taking on more people who wish to receive a letter as well as a new recruitment drive for more volunteer letter writers. As a volunteer letter writer, you would write on a monthly basis to one or more recipients, postage and stationary costs are reimbursed, you would give as much time as you feel comfortable with. “New schemes for telephone befriending, and additional online activities are being introduced, so if you enjoy chatting to people or have expertise or knowledge or passion in a particular area let us know. “Full training and support will be given. The main attributes you need are enthusiasm, reliability and be able to give up some time. Volunteering can be extremely rewarding and can build your confidence and skills.
“Volunteers can be aged 18 and over and individuals wishing to access our services (all free of charge) can either call or email us directly or someone else can contact us on their behalf. “At present in addition to the pen pals scheme, we run a weekly general knowledge and sports quiz and keep fit (men only) sessions. “All our online sessions and pen pals scheme are available to any adult aged 25 and over. The keep fit sessions are for men only.” For information any of the above activities or volunteering please contact Mark Hible at mark.hible@volunteeringmatters.org.uk or call 07841 430171.
