Rochdale's NHS volunteer responders thanked by Prime Minister on video call

Photo: Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street

Prime Minister Boris Johnson on a virtual call with St John Ambulance volunteers in Rochdale

NHS volunteer responders have been personally thanked by the Prime Minister, recognising their incredible efforts at the Number One Riverside vaccination centre in Rochdale.

Boris Johnson joined a video call on Friday (12 March) taking the opportunity to thank individuals for their hard work before being taken on a virtual tour of the site.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “It was a privilege to speak to NHS Volunteer Responders in Rochdale today, to thank them for their extraordinary contribution to the vaccine rollout.

“Our brilliant volunteers have helped us get jabs into arms quickly and efficiently – providing millions of people with the reassurance that they are protected against the virus.

“We couldn’t do it without them, and I am incredibly grateful for their continued dedication and hard work.”

The Prime Minister was introduced to NHS Volunteer Responder Stewards at the One Riverside vaccination site in Rochdale. Steward Volunteers play a vital role on site, guiding people to make sure the vaccination process runs as smoothly and efficiently as possible. They also help ensure social distancing and identify people who need additional support.

Chris Clarkson, Conservative MP for Heywood and Middleton, joined the Prime Minister in thanking them.

He said: “I’d like to join the Prime Minister in thanking everyone in the NHS for the amazing work they are doing to deliver the vaccination programme.

“It’s thanks to their dedication that we can finally look at getting back to normal soon.”

The NHS Volunteer Responders scheme is delivered for the NHS by Royal Voluntary Service and the GoodSAM app and has recently announced that volunteers across all roles have completed a milestone 1.5m tasks.