Buckingham Palace revealed last night the Countess of Wessex has become a St John Ambulance Care Volunteer at an NHS Vaccination centre in Greater London to support their efforts in assisting with vaccination across the country. St John Ambulance said, "We're delighted to welcome the Countess of Wessex, and Grand President of St John Ambulance, as part of the vaccination programme. Her Royal Highness has completed the required training to become a 'Care Volunteer'. This weekend, St John people across the country will be giving time to support their communities. Thank you for all you do."
Wearing a green St John t-shirt during her first shift, Sophie chatted to other volunteers. A spokesperson added, "Like many of our existing and long-standing volunteers, the Countess of Wessex has completed the required training to become a care volunteer in support of the NHS vaccination programme." It marked the first of a number of shifts the Countess plans to complete in the coming months and very much echoes the efforts of Princess Sofia of Sweden who volunteered on the frontlines in a hospital during the pandemic.
Meanwhile, Prince Edward spoke to Sky News about the Duke of Edinburgh award, saying projects like the DoE "are more important at present than ever before", and touching on other topics including homeschooling. "We mind desperately about trying to help them catch up with their academic career, but at the end of the day we're talking about what can we give young people at this time that's really going to help them in the future - and how are they going to be ready for the world. And that's not just about academics."
Speaking about Louise and James, he described the pair as "chalk and cheese" when it came to their feelings on learning from home. "The eldest one Louise, she had her GCSEs interrupted last year, so we went through that whole pain of just having all of that suddenly taken away and so she sort of struggles a bit with the online learning because she'd much prefer to be with everyone. My younger one frankly thinks being at home and online is fantastic. I have to say half term came at just the right time because it was very interesting the frustrations that were beginning to show - and I reckon we weren't the only family to have experienced that. I count our blessings that we're lucky where we are." Click here to watch the interview.
Good for Sophie. Also, this ties in nicely with the recent comments from the Queen.
ReplyDeleteI just love Sophie and am thrilled she’s doing her part!
ReplyDelete+1, Lynn! :)
DeleteThis post reminded me of her cycling challenge in 2016 - probably because of the T-shirt :)
Wonderful to see Sophie backing up the Queen's health intervention by her own actions in working with St John's as a vaccine volunteer. With her lovely blonde ponytail she manages to look as lovely as ever in her St John's tee! And great to hear from Edward as well, underlining the virtues of independence as instilled by the DoE award scheme, and to have the extra morale boost for the unsung heroes of homeschooling
ReplyDeleteI like her commitment to help and the way she goes about it, Just do it without the intrusion of cameras. She is a class act.
ReplyDeleteI like that the Countess is always working. It’s nice to see Prince Edward speaking up for something young people can do.
ReplyDeleteThat is great. I am sure medical staff appreacates when trained people help out with tasks that don't have to be done by people with medical skills. Paperwork, bringing stuff from A-B, it takes up valuable time. it is very similar to what Sophia does. Handing out food, all the little tasks that almost anyone can do, so that the meidcal team can focus on actual medical work.
ReplyDeleteI will say, I am surprised not more have done this earlier.
C.