May Hamilton, 81, helps drive patients to their appointments. She said: “I’m on my own, so this gives me chance to meet other people and a real reason to get up in the morning. I just love doing it and the social side of it, they’re helping you and much as you’re helping them.” Volunteer manager at mid and south Essex hospitals, Jane O’Connell said: “Our volunteer driver scheme, Carecars, has always been hugely popular with patients who are unable to drive. David Storey, 68, from Prittlewell, has been a Carecars driver since August 2018 and also finds the volunteering very rewarding. He said: I was always brought up to help other people and I’m just continuing to do that.
A HOSPITAL has heaped praised on more than 20 volunteers easing the pressure on staff at Southend Hospital s Covid vaccine centre. The volunteers have stepped up by helping marshal the car park, register people when they arrive and also reassure those receiving injections before and after their vaccinations. One of those who jumped at the chance to help was Andrew Gush, from Westcliff, who has played an active part as part of the volunteers’ team since February last year. He said: “Everyone has just really appreciated our help, whether that’s people getting the vaccine or hospital staff in the vaccine hub, as we are helping keep things moving so that people are seen as soon as possible.”