A COVID-19 vaccination volunteer based at the Alfred Barrow Health Centre has been presented with a BBC North West Tonight Christmas Star for all his hard work since the vaccination programme began. Peter Garwood was presented with the award on 8 December, when the BBC North West team visited the vaccination team at Alfred Barrow Health Centre.
Peter has spearheaded the volunteer response since day one of the vaccination programme, not only volunteering himself but also organising the rota of stewards. The Alfred Barrow Health Centre was one of the first vaccination centres to open nationally on 15 December 2020 and the team have been working ever since then – between 16-18 volunteers are needed for each time slot.
Well done Peter – a vaccination volunteer hero from Barrow and the latest winner of the BBC North West Tonight Christmas Star. 🌟 pic.twitter.com/RWsIn3ZKKK
— BBC North West (@BBCNWT) December 14, 2021
Peter, who works in the hotel trade, said: “It’s always been important to me to be involved in the community that I live in, so when I heard about the opportunity to volunteer for the Covid vaccination programme I didn’t hesitate to get involved.
“I always make sure I do what I do with a smile on my face and with running hotels for as long as I have been, writing and organising rotas is second nature to me.
“It’s been a complete surprise to win this award as it really is a team effort. It’s been a joy working alongside the people involved with the vaccination clinics and I’ll carry on for as long as they need me.”
The other volunteers were in on the surprise with Natalie Charples and Martin McLeavy presenting Peter with his star. Martin said: “If anyone is deserving of this star it’s Peter for his dedication” and Natalie added: “He puts everyone first. He’s a complete gentleman. He’s a complete community hero.”
Dr Sarah Arun, local GP and Clinical Lead for Barrow and Millom Primary Care Network said: “It’s been a year since we started the Covid vaccination programme and within that time we’ve delivered almost 80,000 vaccinations in the local area.
“There’s no way we would have been able to do this without the volunteer service and there’s no way we would have been able to do this without Peter.
“I’d like to thank every single person who has volunteered within our primary care network, the amount of time they have given up to support this work is astounding and we really do appreciate it.”
About Alfred Barrow Health Centre
The vaccination centre at Alfred Barrow opened on the first day of vaccinations starting across the UK on 15 December 2021. Alfred Barrow Health Centre opened in November 2019 and is owned by eLIFT Cumbria, with CHP as a shareholder. CHP is the head tenant at the Alfred Barrow Health Centre which provides primary care, community and children’s health services and a pharmacy. The facilities are a response base for the NW Ambulance Service. Read more:15-million-alfred-barrow-health-centre-opens-in-barrow-in-furness-cumbria/
How CHP can help with vaccination centres
CHP is continuing to support more than 100 existing vaccination centres in our buildings across England, extending opening hours and setting up at new locations. We work with local NHS teams to establish the best estate solutions working through occupation and finance arrangements flexibly to agree on practical solutions.
If you are ICS/CCG staff or a tenant who needs a venue for a new vaccination centre please contact your local CHP Tenant Liaison Manager to discuss your local options for space.
New to working with CHP? Contact us via info@communityhealthpartnerships.co.uk with your requirements and location we will put you in touch with the right team at CHP.
Header Image credit: BBC NW news
17 December 2021
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