During the coronavirus pandemic St John Ambulance Guernsey volunteers have been on hand to help the community.

Volunteers helped deliver prescriptions and urgent groceries to people who were self-isolating, shielding or unable to get out. Among the volunteers for the initative were members of the Guernsey Motorcycle Training Scheme.

Volunteers also helped with the distribution of the locally produced Channel Islands Seaweed Hand Sanitiser, while others became Caring Callers, available to phone people who were lonely or isolated, to have a friendly chat.

 

Kelly joined St John at the start of the crisis becoming a member of the decontamination team deep clean ambulances. She was also part of the prescription and grocery delivery team.

Kelly said she volunteered because she wanted to help the community and the emergency services. “It is a good feeling knowing you have helped no matter how big or small the role was.  The appreciation from the elderly and ambulance crew was outstanding.”

Kelly now wants to become a St John volunteer first aider. “Through this experience, I have put myself forward to become a volunteer and look forward to training to support St John in future events,” she said.

Paul, who works as a building surveyor and was already a St John volunteer, also joined the decontamination team.  Paul said “I volunteered, as I wanted to do something for our community, especially during this challenging time.

Paul added: “I think people should support St John because the charity provides so many services to the community, most funded from charitable donations.”

Amanda is the Event Director for the Guernsey 2021 NatWest International Island Games. Having run a recruitment drive to find volunteer first aiders for the games next year, she decided to offer her services too.”I enjoyed it so much and met so many nice people, I thought I’d do it myself!” said Amanda.

“The best thing about being a volunteer is developing skills which I can use to support and help others. St John provides a vital support network for the island from assisting at sports and events to now helping with the current Covid-19 crisis,” she added.

Neil works as a production manager at Beau Sejour. While the leisure centre was closed to the public Neil was able to help St John. Neil has been assisting with the Patient Transfer Service, decontamination of emergency vehicles, restocking of ambulances and a variety of other tasks around the ambulance station.

To donate to the St John Covid-19 appeal go to giving.gg or click the link on our home page.

Posted: June 4, 2020