Residents of Romsey who gave up their own time to volunteer during the COVID-19 vaccination programme have been thanked with an afternoon of tea, cakes and Jazz music.
The afternoon tea event which was organised jointly between the Hampshire, Southampton and Isle of Wight Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and local charity Unity, was held on Thursday 12 May at the Romsey Town Hall Council Chamber.
Unity is a non-profit incorporated UK charity part-funded by Test Valley Borough Council and Hampshire County Council, working with local organisations to support vulnerable members of the Test Valley Community.
Many of the volunteers who attended the event had been involved in the local vaccination programme working with Test Valley Borough Council and the NHS.
Terry Bishop, Unity Chief Executive said: “What a fantastic opportunity to work in partnership with the NHS and councils to deliver such a historic accomplishment. Without the help of the volunteers many people would have struggled through the pandemic. We’re very grateful to everyone that helped.”
During the afternoon, guests were entertained by a local jazz band and received thank you medals from Romsey Town Mayor, Cllr Karen Dunleavey and Dr Roland Fowler, the PCN Clinical Director.
Cllr Mark Cooper, Test Valley Mayor said: “Every generation has its own crisis and here we are in 2022 having had the most appalling time with Covid. These are worrying times, but they were made less worrying by all of the volunteers.
“Please go on doing what you are doing, it is so valuable to society. You are the cement that holds it all together. Test Valley and Romsey are truly, truly grateful. Thank-you.”
David Hall, Locality Transformation Lead at the Hampshire, Southampton and Isle of Wight CCG said: “A huge thank-you to all the volunteers that have supported people through a really difficult time. Thank you also to the practices and the borough who have supported the [vaccine] programme right the way through and helped to bring down barriers where we’ve found them.”