A team of volunteers are leading the way in helping to administer thousands of vaccines at Blackburn Cathedral.

Among them is 70-year-old Colin Foster who is a retired nurse. He has been working in the NHS since he was 16 with posts at Burnley General Hospital and Royal Preston Hospital.

Speaking to the Lancashire Telegraph he said: “I just wanted to help in any way I could. At a time like this it was important.

“I am going to be working three days a week and I would actually encourage others to volunteer as it is quite a simple procedure.”

Lancashire Telegraph:

Colin Foster a retired nurse has volunteered to administer vaccines (Pictures: Lancashire Telegraph)

Whilst Colin may well be aware of how to administer a jab he still had to undergo an online training course which can take up to 25 hours to complete.

Nationally more than 80,000 people have trained to deliver the vaccines and will be deployed as supplies allow the programme to expand. They include current and former NHS staff, clinicians from the independent sector and allied health professionals like physios, among others.

People who book into the vaccination centre are greeted by volunteers, who marshal car parks and register them when they arrive. Bookings are staggered to allow social distancing. People receive a health status check and a pre-vaccination assessment before they have their jab and the whole service is led and overseen by trained nurses.

Lancashire Telegraph:

The army of health volunteers is being supplemented by a team of vaccine marshals. One of whom is Wes Trutan of the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service.

He said: “Our role is to guide people through the process and ensure the everything runs smoothly.

“People should have total trust in what is happening and follow instructions they are given. I would urge anyone who is unsure or simply wants some advice to just ask us. We are here to help.”