Romney Marsh Community Hub Press release 26th January 2021

Published: 02 February 2021

Volunteers from the Romney Marsh Community Support Hub have been at the heart of the Marsh’s COVID-19 vaccination roll-out, which got underway at Lydd Airport on 19 January.

A 100-strong team of volunteers has stepped up to provide help and assistance in the inoculation programme, which is expected to perform over 2,000 vaccinations a week. New volunteers are also going through the recruitment process to ensure that there is plenty of support in place for the months ahead. Volunteers working in shifts have been on hand at the airport helping to marshal people across the site, assist those with limited mobility, undertake temperature checks and provide a friendly welcome or word of comfort.

Jon Wilson is the Chief Executive of the Romney Marsh Community Support Hub:

“The Hub team and volunteers have once again shown that they are not afraid of a challenge and have quickly come together to help the community as we continue to battle COVID-19. Despite the logistics, extreme weather and vulnerability of many of those we are helping, they have approached the task with determination and good humour, delivering a highly efficient service for hundreds of people. The phrase ‘we’re in this together’ has been much used in the past year, but our volunteers have really stepped up and shown once again just what a community can do when we pull together in a crisis.”

Willie Leitch, 84, was in the first cohort of over 80s to receive his vaccination:

“The process was completely straightforward and the way through the centre clearly marked with lots of volunteers to help throughout. Very well organised! The volunteers and those vaccinating deserve words of praise for what will doubtless be a very long few weeks.”

As well as assisting with the operational side of the vaccination effort, the Romney Marsh Community Support Hub has just announced that it will be working with Kent County Council to provide transport for those who have no other way of getting to Lydd Airport. Anyone wishing to volunteer can contact: enquiries@rmdc.org.uk

There are conditions for accessing this support, which are as follows, but the Hub is pleased to be helping ensure that as many people reach their vaccination appointments as possible.

Please note:

1. You must have an appointment from your GP for a vaccination for the Lydd Airport Vaccination Centre.

2. You must not have any other means of getting there.

3. You must let us know about any mobility issues you currently have in advance of us coming to collect you.

The Romney Marsh Community Support Hub is continuing to support the community in a number of ways and, as such, asks that individuals ensure that they meet the criteria for help with transport before getting in contact.