POWYS residents receiving their coronavirus vaccine in Builth Wells this week may have noticed a familiar face peeking out at them from behind a facemask, as their local MP Fay Jones lent a hand.

In addition to her day job as Member of Parliament for Brecon and Radnorshire, Miss Jones has given up her spare time and signed up with PAVO (Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations) to assist with the smooth running of the vaccine roll-out at the mass vaccination centre at the Royal Welsh Showground in Llanelwedd, on the outskirts of Builth.

Miss Jones’ role included directing people on arrival, assisting with paperwork and ensuring social distancing measures are followed.

“Being a volunteer at the mass vaccination centre in Builth Wells is a real privilege and I am so grateful to PAVO for having me,” said Miss Jones.

“It is a wonderful experience to help people as they come for their vaccine.

“I really cannot thank everyone involved in the vaccine roll-out enough. From the volunteers, to the vaccinators, from Powys Teaching Health Board (PTHB) to the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society, everyone has worked their socks off to make this roll-out possible.

“I especially want to thank the six Royal Air Force personnel who have come from RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire to help out. All of them are musicians in the RAF Band and I hope to find a way of organising a musical concert so the entire community can thank them.

“It has been a really tough year for everyone, but there is certainly palpable relief that vaccines are now reaching the most vulnerable. It was great to see the sense of optimism and hope at the mass vaccination centre.

“I have a few more voluntary shifts coming up and I will continue to work closely with Powys Teaching Health Board to monitor the roll-out and resolve any issues constituents are facing.

“As always, if constituents have any concerns or queries, please get in touch.”

Across Powys 14,000 individuals have now been vaccinated. There are three mass vaccination sites in operation, including Newtown and Bronllys in addition to Builth, and jabs have begun to be administered by GPs this week.

Vaccinations are by appointment only, and individuals will be invited to receive a vaccination based on the national priority list.

PAVO is co-ordinating formal health and care volunteering opportunities identified by Powys County Council and PTHB on behalf of the Community Sector Emergency Response Team.

Volunteering opportunities can be found on their website at https://powys.volunteering-wales.net/vk/volunteers/index.htm.

The latest information on the roll-out of coronavirus vaccines in Powys can be found on the health board website at https://pthb.nhs.wales/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccination/.