BRIGHTON are to use their Amex stadium as a training centre for Covid-19 vaccinator volunteers this weekend.
The volunteers will be trained by St John’s Ambulance to administer the vaccine across Sussex as new NHS vaccination centres come online.
The Amex is being put to good use by Brighton during the pandemicCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Albion chief executive Paul Barber said: “We are delighted to be able to help with the national effort to get the population vaccinated by providing several of our hospitality areas for socially distanced vaccination training for local volunteers.
“We have space inside the Amex for St John Ambulance personnel to safely deliver training to approximately 200 volunteers this weekend, who are then ready to go into the community to administer the vaccine across Sussex.
“We have been committed to supporting the NHS, St John Ambulance and other key healthcare workers in any way we can throughout the pandemic.
“As we start to see a light at the end of the tunnel, we will do everything we possibly can to support the national effort to get there.”
In April the Amex was used as a mass testing centre, with capacity to test up to 1500 people per day.
The stadium and training facility have been used by the NHS for storage and training purposes.
The Seagulls travel to Leeds on Saturday and don’t play at home again until the following weekend.
Graham Potter’s side host Blackpool in the FA Cup on Saturday January 23, allowing plenty of time for volunteers to be trained.
How to sign up
VOLUNTEERS for the Jabs Army are being asked to first register online at nhsvolunteerresponders.org.uk
You will then receive an email with log-in details to sign up online.
Finally, you will be asked to download the GoodSAM app on a smartphone which will match you to a role in your area.
Services will be opening in the coming days and weeks, with different areas up and running at different times, so you might not be required on site for some weeks. Not everyone who signs up will need to be called upon.
You need to commit to only two six-hour shifts a month at a vaccination service, and no prior experience or qualifications are required.
You will work as part of a team that will include NHS staff and volunteers. The Royal Voluntary Service will conduct appropriate background checks.
Go to nhsvolunteerresponders.org.uk
Brighton’s offer comes amid The Sun’s Jabs Army appeal, which calls for volunteers to get involved with the vaccination programme.
Telly favourite Jeremy Clarkson is the latest star to urge readers to sign up for our Jabs Army — and cure their own lockdown blues.
Visiting a vaccination centre, he said: “Everyone is saying how bored they are. They’ve watched Netflix, gone through everything on the internet, read Google.
“Well let’s not be bored — let’s get off our bottoms and volunteer.”
Sign up at nhsvolunteerresponders.org.uk
Chris Evans backs The Sun’s Jabs Army campaign as 35,000 sign up to volunteer in Covid vaccination centres
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
