Montgomery volunteers helping out in Powys vaccine drive
Volunteers from Montgomery have been supporting the vaccination efforts in Powys.
Both Montgomery Surgery and the Mass Vaccination Centre in Newtown have benefited from local volunteers helping to direct traffic and assist patients.
The first vaccination clinic at Montgomery Medical Practice was carried out on Wednesday, January 26, and the team of volunteers ensured the clinic went as smoothly as possible by diverting traffic and assisting patients. Patients said that the experience was well-organised and caring, and the volunteers friendly and charming.
On Friday, January 29 the group had a busy day in Newtown as Saturday appointments and reserves were called in quickly ahead of the weekend's snow forecast. They were back at Montgomery the following Wednesday.
Grace Moucharafieh, Cyndy Humphreys, Cameron Humphreys, Sue Cusack, John Humphreys and Ruth Moucharafieh, from Montgomery, all gave up their time to help out.
Cyndy Humphreys explained that she is volunteering because she wants to give something back. "I have small grandchildren in Cardiff who I can't see; I can't teach at the moment; and I want to do something positive in these difficult times."
She said: "It's absolutely amazing. I love it, I love the buzz, I love the fact that it's extremely well organised. PAVO volunteers are amazing people, the RAF are fantastic and the whole system is just brilliant. We care for you and we have fantastic times here. It's a brilliant positive experience."
Cyndy's son Cameron knew a couple of people already volunteering who said it would be a good idea. He said: “It's a really good opportunity. It's very organised and we do everything very to the book. We're all very happy smiling people, so it's a lot of fun.”
Sue Cusack added: “I think it's good to be helping and a very worthwhile job. It's a smooth and efficient process; all the staff are very caring and kind and that's good for everybody involved."
John Humphreys volunteered because he wanted to use his spare time for good. He said: “I'm enjoying it. It is good. It's nice to see all these elderly people that we've had in the last two weeks coming here and just how full of life they are and how eager they are to get their vaccination. Absolutely terrific."
Ruth Moucharafieh added: "Both Montgomery and Newtown have fantastic organisation in place. People were delighted to be having their vaccination and for many this was their first trip out for almost a year."
