A BOURNEMOUTH based charity is calling on volunteers to join them in a final push to vaccinate across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

The Community Action Network Team of over 1,900 volunteers have been working in partnership with NHS Dorset HealthCare at the BIC in Bournemouth, and at other local pharmacies and GP surgeries across the conurbation, where over 1,500 people a day are getting their jab.

However due to high demand, the team are in need of more volunteers to step up to support the vaccination effort.

Involvement Lead Louise Harfield said: “Community Action Network have worked tirelessly alongside our NHS partners in Dorset for patient safety whilst delivering the vaccination rollout.

“To date our volunteers have delivered over 53,000 hours of volunteering, not just at the BIC but pharmacies and GP surgeries too.

“The NHS have said they would not be able to deliver such a high rate of vaccines if it weren’t for the assistance of CAN volunteers.

“Whilst we are very lucky in having over 1,700 active volunteers, aged 16 to 82 years old, Dorset still has a long way to go and with local businesses re-opening meaning some of these volunteers will naturally go back to work and childcare duties, we need others to step up and help us.”

The CAN volunteers help people feel welcomed, comfortable, and safe and are at the heart of the county’s vaccination programme which is running seven days per week.

Stefano Abis, from Wallisdown Pharmacy added: “We could not have run the vaccination programme without the CAN Volunteers.”

Anyone over the age of 16 years can register their interest at https://www.can100.org/volunteer-to-help-stop-covid-19.

For any queries or questions, call Community Action Network on 01202 099474.