Menu COVID-19 Vaccinations & BoostersOur WorkAbout usOur teamNews & FeaturesCare Unbound Now Search The Covid Vaccination Site at the Brighton Racecourse Opens its Doors Our deputy CEO reflects on Here's achievement in ensuring the citizens of Brighton are vaccinated against Covid19 15.01.2021 | by Sarah Bartholomew As I drove to the Brighton vaccination site this morning I had butterflies. After a few hard weeks of long hours, problem solving and people resolute in coming together for a shared purpose, the race course was now open for business. What would I see? How would I feel? I felt a mix of emotions – energy, excitement, gratitude and so proud of being part of such a great multi-disciplinary team. This week Chloe Stewart reminded me of how we should view the vaccination site through the lens of personalisation – so that was what I focussed on. Would my experience be one of going through a factory line type process in order to get my jab, or would I feel part of the process that will hopefully lead us to some kind of normality? I got to the race course early – early and late slots tend to be filled by staff with patients preferring to come in daylight hours. My first interaction was with the marshals, who were helpful, professional and smiled. Next it was to the main hall and as you walk down the steps you get a sense of the sheer scale of the site. It’s impressive in both its size and attention to detail. You go around the hall in zones – a zone to take consent, to check you in, a zone to wait for your jab, then booths while you get your jab, and finally on to your observation zone. Now this sounds like being on a conveyor belt but it didn’t feel like that for one moment. Each interaction I had was positive, friendly and personable. I was explained the process and people called me by my name. There is a balance between getting people through as quickly as possible whilst not making people feel rushed, and this was done really well. The whole site has a real buzz about it, not only is it slick but it’s also human. And that really matters. I watched in awe as people drew up the vaccines – a slow and complex process and strangely hypnotic to watch, but just shows you the skill and expertise required to deliver this vaccine. As the patients began to file in I felt enormously humbled. Although everyone wore masks you could see the emotion in people’s eyes. This straddled between joy and gratitude. Daughters and son’s brought their elderly parents and the sense of relief was palpable. As I talked to people that told me that this was one big step on the way to back to living our lives with more normality. To be able to go out. To be able to see our friends and family. To be able to give that all important hug. Over the coming weeks and months we will all have the opportunity to be vaccinated and as you walk down those steps, as I did, you may reflect on what this means for us as individuals, teams and our organisation. So I leave for the weekend with a huge sense of gratitude and privilege. Not only for getting my jab. But to see both an operation and team that is not only slick and hardworking, but who display such compassion, skill, energy and humanity. Thank you thank you thank you. Register to volunteer now Share this: 5 Comments una on Jan 15, 2021 at 8:09pm thank you Sarah! It's really good to hear what the process feels and looks like. Congratulations to all, it's really moving to read more about it. Thank you Reply Sarah James on Jan 20, 2021 at 4:11pm Thank you Una :) Maureen on Jan 19, 2021 at 7:37pm Yes it was very interesting, waiting to get ours my husband and I live in peacehaven, we are in our 80s, any idea when that will be my husband has breathing difficulties Mrs m BYWATERS Reply Sarah James on Jan 20, 2021 at 4:02pm Hello Mrs Bywaters. We are still working through our residents over the age of 80 as fast as we can. Thank you for being so patient and we look forward to seeing you soon :) Janet on Feb 5, 2021 at 1:06pm I have volunteered to help at the racecourse but am seeing conflicting reports on length of shift. I'm happy to do 4 hours but feel 6 hours would be too much. Please can you confirm the hours and how long I will have to wait until I hear something. Thank you Reply Leave a Reply Name * Email * Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Comment Reset Don't miss a thing Subscribe to posts via email... 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