Selfless staff from University of Northampton join the huge NHS ‘volunteer army’

Members of staff from the University of Northampton have joined the NHS ‘volunteer army’ to help support their local communities.

Nick Allen, who works in the vice chancellor’s office and Becky Bradshaw, the director of estates and campus services, will join around 750,000 other members of the public who answered the Government’s call for volunteers to help fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Both of the university staff members, who have made time in their schedule, will be on hand during any free time to pick up food and medicines for people who cannot leave the house, or picking up hospital patients who are medically fit to be discharged.

Becky, who lives in Northampton, said: “Once the scale of the crisis became clear, I felt I had both a professional and personal duty to offer assistance in the collective fight against the virus.

“We are all affected by it in one way or another, but a good proportion of the communities we belong to are having a particularly tough time dealing with complex medical needs, caring responsibilities and prolonged isolation and loneliness.

“I’m proud to be part of a national effort to support the most vulnerable in society. It’s a challenging time for us all but if I can bring just one smile to an individual or family in need it will have been worth giving up my spare time.

“I just wanted to play my part in supporting the community.”

Nick, who lives in Rugby, added: “My commute to and from work is approximately two hours and as I am now predominantly working at home so I thought I could use these two hours for good use.

“I am always looking for opportunities to follow the University’s Changemaker ethos and go out into the world to do something good.

“This is a great opportunity to help the NHS cope with the anticipated demand for its services and for people who, in these very unique and challenging circumstances, find themselves isolated.”

Further duties could see the pair transporting much needed equipment, supplies or medication between NHS services and sites or for pharmacies.

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