Borders College staff and students aid in delivery of vital medical supplies

Ensuring that medical supplies reach those most vulnerable in our community is vital during the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, and a number of @BordersCollege volunteers are doing just that by collecting and delivering medicines directly to the homes of those identified by the #NHS.

A group of 37 staff and students are giving up their time to run the service, working on a rota, and to date over 176 deliveries have been made by the team to the most vulnerable individuals.

This is a collaborative mission between SBC, NHS and Borders College to ensure that these people get the supplies they need, with limited risk. Strict guidelines, including no contact, are in place to ensure the safety of all parties involved.

The idea came about after discussions between College Principal Angela Cox and Scottish Borders Council. College employee Verity Hislop, who is managing/coordinating the project, helped encourage fellow colleagues and students to get involved. She commented:

“Borders College sees its role as supporting our community and during these unprecedented times, there is a desire to contribute and add value by volunteering. Despite no direct contact with individuals, a smile, a wave, a thank you from afar demonstrates the appreciation of local residents and the positive impact on their lives.

“The College is exceptionally proud and grateful to everyone who is involved. This collaborative mission helps to protect vulnerable groups within the community and potentially saves lives.

“A huge thank you to all the volunteers, NHS Borders and NHS Transport Hub.”

Such is the popularity of the service, individuals are now contacting the Hub directly, asking to have prescriptions delivered, and the team are more than happy to assist.

On top of this, staff are still performing their day-to-day duties by continuing to provide learning and student support, while students are continuing with their studies.

A great effort by all – keep up the good work!