ORGANISATIONS in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin are asking people to be patient as they work through nearly 1,000 volunteer registrations to support the local vaccination and rapid testing centres.

Health and care organisations in the county joined forces with Shropshire Rural Communities Charity and Shropshire Youth Association with the support of Shropshire Council to launch an appeal for volunteers on January 8 which has seen a huge number of people come forward.

They are now busily working through all of the requests so that volunteers can be put in place as quickly as possible.

Julia Baron, chief executive for Shropshire Rural Communities Charity, thanked all those who came forward to offer help but urged people to be patient.

“Thank you to everyone who has registered," she said. "We have had an amazing response from our communities but we just need people to bear with us now as we go through the necessary checks and processes.

“Our staff are working incredibly hard to get people through as fast as they can, making sure that everyone accepted as a volunteer is suitable.

"This includes a thorough risk assessment and obtaining references.

"This does take a little time so please be patient.”

Meanwhile Victoria Rankin, executive lead for people at the Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Sustainability and Transformation Partnership, added: “The roll-out of the vaccine is the biggest vaccine programme in our NHS’ history and it’s so inspiring to see the people of Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin get behind it.

“We are working around the clock and we will be getting in touch with everyone who has registered.

"This is a marathon and volunteers will be vital to getting us over the finish line.”

This volunteer recruitment campaign is part of the local campaign #BeAPartOfHistory which is also looking to recruit current and retired healthcare professionals, but also non-clinical staff in a range of administrative, reception and other front-of-house roles to support the vaccine roll-out. Go to www.rjah.nhs.uk/vaccine for more information and to see current vacancies.

Partners involved include Shropshire Rural Communities Charity, Shropshire Youth Association, Shropshire Council, Telford & Wrekin Council, NHS Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group, NHS Telford & Wrekin Clinical Commissioning Group, Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust.