Volunteer Voices - Melanie Roberts

Hello all, I’m an Indoor Guide at the Basingstoke Fire Station vaccination centre and I do approximately three shifts a week.

I retired as a Head of Learning and Development in 2019 and with not being able to travel (as was the plan in 2020) I decided to volunteer my time. As such, with my creative hat on, I’ve decided to write a poem that summarises my journey over the last four months.

Basingstoke Fire Station Vaccination Centre

Boxing Day arrived and lockdown threeOh no!, winter and I want to fleeInstead, confined at home, no not again!!But then not everything was in vain

I heard a whisper that volunteers were neededA new retiree and the thought was seededQuick..get an application in through BVAAnd before I knew it I was on my way

Basingstoke Fire station, I started in FebOutside, snow, -8, I should have stayed in bedBut then no DBS so inside I wentIndoor Guide, I was on the ascent

On with the yellow high vis and man the spotsMove our patients onto the dotsLots of arm waving behind the masksAnd learning the ropes with all the tasks

So four months later and I’m still thereThree shifts a week and I really care...For patients and friends that I’ve now metA new experience and I’m forever in debt

For working with an amazing teamA volunteer role that has fulfilled a dreamTo work together to deliver the double doseOne goal that ensured we’ve all become close

Thank you Basingstoke Fire Station crew

We rock, let’s keep going, I love you! 💕