The JOY of volunteering in a vaccine centre

Volunteering sent my spirits soaring…

February 2021 felt pretty miserable for many in the UK as the lockdown and cold weather made the days and nights seem long and gloomy.

BUT what sent my spirits soaring was having the chance to work as a volunteer marshal at our local vaccination centre, up at Brighton Racecourse.

During the month I did five shifts and each time was incredible - meeting hundreds of patients every day, directing traffic (a brand new skill that makes me feel quite #Jackieweaver), doing temperature checks and asking the question that gets everyone smiling (‘have you been abroad recently?!), managing the fast-moving queues or chatting while people rest for 15 minutes after their vaccination.

After spending so long at home, seeing hardly anyone, it was overwhelming at first, but soon I adored feeling part of the incredible team, and chatting to hundreds of people every day - not only the patients, but also the other volunteers and medics.

Many patients turn up in their Sunday best, because it’s a very significant outing and for some, the first time they’ve been among others since last March. Couples and families - perhaps a son or daughter escorting a parent - can go in together, though of course only those eligible receive the precious Pfizer or Astra Zeneca vaccine.

It’s such a joyful atmosphere - no wonder landing a volunteer slot has been like winning the lottery.

I’ve been in awe of the organisation and dedication of everyone I’ve encountered: the team turned a space aimed at racegoers (there are lots of ads for betting and a - sadly out of service - bar) into a space with waiting area, vaccination pods, drawing up zone and seating for waiting the 15-minutes post injection. I was at the centre when they completed their 20,000th vaccination - everyone applauded and it was wonderful to know I played a tiny part.

It’s such a joyful atmosphere - no wonder landing a volunteer slot has been like winning the lottery. I did need to invest in some new gloves though because for a couple of weeks, temperatures fell well below zero and felt far colder.

As a writer, I am usually pretty happy in my own company but this satisfies the craving I’ve had to be back with other humans. I’m signed up for more this month - each jab feels like a step closer to spending time with those we love and miss.

Two Eva cover reveals - I love them both, how about you?

The moment when your book’s cover arrives is always a heart-stopper (and even more so when your book itself is about what happens when a heart stops and restarts). So I am very happy to reveal the cover for my Eva Carter book, How to Save a Life. Or in fact, two covers – one for the UK and one for the USA.

I love both – though they are quite different.

With the UK cover, the designer did a lot of tweaking of the three figures – they’re quite impressionistic, but we added a stethoscope to hint at the medical themes in the book, and a bag to show the rootlessness of one character. We agonised about socks and hair-styles. And tried lots of different colours. I love this final colour as it’s close to the Brighton blue that the beach huts and railings are painted down here.

The American cover was designed completely separately but also has a heart motif, sets against a dramatic landscape and sky full of fireworks.

As the book begins on Millennium Eve, with a disaster unfurling as the celebrations begin, that feels so right too.

I’ve also had a sneak preview of my German cover which is very different again and also has a different title – I will share that soon.

I couldn’t ever choose between them - but I’d love to know:

Which is your favourite?

You’ve seen the covers, now watch the trailer… :)

If you like One Day in December by Josie Silver, One Day by David Nicholls and Me Before You by Jojo Moyes, you'll fall in love with How to Save a Life... Jo...