The UK was first globally to start vaccinating their population against COVID-19 in a huge national effort and it is one in which we can all play our part to help.

Our local NHS is looking for thousands of potential vaccinators and volunteers to help protect millions of people from coronavirus, now three different vaccines have been approved by the independent regulator and are being rolled out in Crawley and throughout the country.

In addition to NHS staff, thousands more people will be needed to ensure the health service can vaccinate millions of people at speed.

By bolstering its workforce the NHS will be able to offer potentially life-saving protection from coronavirus in a range of locations, focusing on the most at-risk groups first, at the same time as keeping A&Es, GP services and operations going.

Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust is the lead provider for the vaccination programme across our county and is responsible for co-ordinating and managing the programme, as well as some of the delivery alongside GPs.

The NHS will be working with St John Ambulance to establish a bank of thousands of volunteers, drawing from their own members as well as the hundreds of thousands of people who are already signed up to the NHS Volunteer Responders scheme, who have collectively completed more than a million tasks for vulnerable and isolated people.

Vaccinator and other paid roles will be offered on a flexible basis so that people can fit helping out around other work, caring and family responsibilities. Initial preference will be given to those who are able to commit a minimum of 16 hours per week. All staff and volunteers will get training, assessment, supervision and PPE to ensure their safety and that of patients.

If you would like to help or are interested in finding out more, please click here for information from the Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust.

Please click here if you are interested in other volunteering opportunities as part of the NHS Volunteer Responder scheme.

Thank you for your interest in playing a part in our recovery from the pandemic.

Henry Smith MP