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 three Oh no!, winter and I want to flee Instead, confined at home, no not again!! But then not everything was in vain
I heard a whisper that volunteers were needed A new retiree and the thought was seeded Quick..get an application in through BVA And before I knew it I was on my way
Basingstoke Fire station, I started in Feb Outside, snow, -8, I should have stayed in bed But then no DBS so inside I went Indoor Guide, I was on the ascent
On with the yellow high vis and man the spots Move our patients onto the dots Lots of arm waving behind the masks And learning the ropes with all the tasks
So four months later and I’m still there Three shifts a week and I really care... For patients and friends that I’ve now met A new experience and I’m forever in debt
For working with an amazing team A volunteer role that has fulfilled a dream To work together to deliver the double dose One goal that ensured we’ve all become close
Thank you Basingstoke Fire Station crew
We rock, let’s keep going, I love you! 💕