Council thanks vaccination centre volunteers at special event

Horsham District Council organised and facilitated a special event for volunteers who have worked and continue to work at the Christ’s Hospital Vaccination Centre as a token of thanks for their amazing efforts during the pandemic.

The thank you event took place on Saturday 24 July at local microbrewery, Brolly Brewing Ltd in Wisborough Green and saw over 125 volunteers and NHS staff attend for an evening of food, drink and music.

At the beginning of the NHS vaccination programme in December 2020, surgeries forming a Primary Care Network in Southwater, Rudgwick, Courtyard Horsham and Cowfold came together to create the Christs Hospital Vaccination Centre. The Council’s Voluntary Sector Support team called upon volunteers across the Horsham District to support NHS colleagues to keep the centre running smoothly. Volunteers have so far given over 8,000 hours of volunteering hours during the vaccination programme.

Some 53,000 vaccinations have been given so far, 292 volunteers have assisted the operation, giving over 14,000 hours of work and over 35,000 cars have been parked at the site!

The event at Brolly Brewery was a small way of saying thank you to all the volunteers who gave their time both inside and outside the centre across a wide range of duties, ranging from sanitising vaccination stations, providing first aid, supporting vulnerable people and managing traffic.

The event was sponsored by Air Partner Group who kindly allocated staff to volunteer at the vaccination centre and who were pleased to provide financial support to cover the thank you event.