Recently retired Rector of Leominster, Mike Kneen, is a regular face at the Sports Centre Vaccination Hub. He has volunteered two or three times each week since January 2021, often working alongside his wife, Lesley, who is a retired doctor.
When COVID19 first struck, Mike was still working as Rector. Along with his parishioners, he had to adapt to new ways of working, including online church services and regular Zoom calls. With a retired doctor for a wife and a personal interest in the technology behind the vaccinations, Mike says it was the ‘obvious next step’ after retirement for him to get involved at the Vaccination Hub.
Mike’s volunteering duties have included car park marshal- ling, sanitising clipboards and being a runner for the medical teams.
He fits in where he is required – sometimes at quite short notice as the Clinic don’t often have much advance warning of when they’re getting vaccinations.
His first shift on 1 January was somewhat a ‘baptism of fire’ as more than 1,000 healthcare workers were booked in for their COVID vaccinations.
Since those early days, the Hub has developed significantly and is now, says Mike, “Tremendously well organised, thanks to the efforts of the Site Manager and Clinical Lead”.
What’s the best bit about volunteering at the Hub?
“The vaccination centre,” laughs Mike, “Is the only social show in town!”
The atmosphere at the centre is very positive and there is a tremendous feeling of cooperation. All the volunteers work well together and good relation- ships have developed between them and the GP practices.
What’s more, the vast majority of people who come for their jabs are really positive. “Most people are marvellous, really positive,”
says Mike. “They’re just really thankful to be able to receive their vaccine.”
