Balsall Common Lions have had a strong relationship with the local NHS Health Centre for many years. We even have a Lion, Lion Stan Shakeshaft, designated as the contact point the Health Centre.
Lions have had a presence in the Balsall Common Health Centre with a Message In A Bottle (MiaB) display cabinet for over five years, and have fulfilled a number of requests for equipment and provided numerous facilities.
In 2018 Lions provided a public blood pressure monitor for the waiting area of the clinic, saving time for Doctor appointments, and giving peace of mind for patients who might have ‘white coat syndrome ‘. In 2020, when the pandemic started, Balsall Common Lions funded twenty oxygen level (saturation) monitors for use by patients, especially invaluable for those who are shielding, or self-isolating.
The vaccination clinics were a natural extension of the strong relationship with the Health Centre, and they had no hesitation in approaching Lion Stan to request our assistance.
In November 2020, before the COVID vaccines were available, we provided marshalling for patients for the annual Flu vaccinations, helping to keep patients socially distanced from each other.
As soon as the COVID-19 vaccinations were available in December, we were first in the queue to provide support again, providing marshalling facilities and ushering the patients in and out safely. The Balsall Common Health Centre was not only supporting the local village, but also acting as a central hub for many miles around, so we were very fortunate to enlist the support of neighbouring Lions Club, Knowle and Dorridge Lions. We now provide this service for the COVID vaccination clinics at least two-to-three times a week, and look set to continue for a long time to come!
As well as being a great service to the Health Centre, it has provided great peace of mind to the patients, and has been a very enriching experience for Lions in being able to be at the centre of the vaccination programme. We have received dozens of positive comments, personally and on social media, plus a number of enquiries about volunteering with Lions – so a very positive influence on recruitment!
Where there’s a need, there a Lion.
“It has been an incredibly difficult year, but thank you for all you have done to help our community”
Diane Howell, Local Councillor
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Well done Balsall Common Lions serving your community
You are all all so wonderful and selfless
What a lovely thoughtful thing to do
Well done all concerned doing a grand job.
Well done all great thing to do xx
Took my Mum on Friday The Lion Club were very helpful sorting out helping me get the injection for my Mum to the car