Keeping it in the family

Keeping it in the family image

Home » Keeping it in the family

Over the last few months, a local family from Flitwick have rallied together to support the NHS vaccination programme in many different ways.

Earlier this year Samantha Golton Scholes, a Personal Assistant who works for Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Clinical Commissioning Group (BLMK CCG), started accompanying her clinical colleagues to vaccinate housebound patients. Samantha felt right at home – and soon realised that she could support the vaccine effort by training as a vaccinator herself.

“I’ve been doing office type work for many years and felt I had more to give. It’s easy to feel that it’s the only type of work you can do, so it was a fantastic opportunity to be able to gain a new skill and become a covid vaccinator. I really enjoy vaccinating people and being able to help people during these difficult times is a real privilege.”

Now Samantha’s family have got in the action too, they’re genuinely proud of what she’s been doing and were keen to play their part. Her dad, David Golton, a semi-retired accountant is volunteering at a vaccination centre in West London and her daughter Bea (13) is now volunteering at the same vaccination centre as Samantha in Central Bedfordshire.

“Bea’s always been very interested in what I do, so when she was looking for somewhere to volunteer as part of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, she thought that it would be great to volunteer at a local vaccination centre. I was delighted when she decided to do this, as our centre has a fantastic team of volunteers. She loves the different roles that she’s been given which have included meeting and greeting people, booking them in on the system and directing them where to go.

Jane Urwin, volunteer leader at the centre said, “Bea’s one of our youngest volunteers and we are so pleased she chose this centre. She’s a pleasure to work with and has joined our team of volunteers who all do an incredible job. It’s great that she’s keeping it in the family.

Samantha added “I’ve worked in the NHS for 21 years, my mum, Dr Andrea Golton is a retired consultant Radiologist and both my son Richard (16) and partner Mark also did some volunteering stints for the NHS earlier this year. The NHS has always been close to our hearts, I’m so proud that we have three generations of our family supporting the vaccination effort.

View all news

Latest news and highlights

News

25 April 2025

Supplying local care homes with chairs to lift residents after a fall…

A chair which helps lift care home residents safely and quickly in an emergency after a fall has been proven to reduce avoidable ambulance callouts…

News

23 April 2025

Longest waits for NHS hospital treatment show further fall

New figures have revealed that the numbers of patients facing the longest waits for treatment at local hospitals have fallen significantly over the last 12…

News

17 April 2025

Get the care you need this Easter: advice on NHS opening times…

Many families will be looking forward to spending the Easter holiday together, but NHS staff will also enjoy the chance to take a long weekend with loved ones, meaning that…

News

17 April 2025

The importance of mental wellbeing – Stress Awareness Month

Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care System is marking Stress Awareness Month by encouraging people to prioritise their mental wellbeing and seek support to help manage stress and anxiety.…

News

16 April 2025

More appointments are available for patients at local general practices

General practices in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes are offering more appointments than a year ago, according to new figures released by NHS England. The data – covering December 2024…

News

14 April 2025

Patients urged to order repeat prescriptions before holiday weekends

People who take regular medications have been urged to check they have sufficient supplies to last the long Easter weekend (Good Friday, 18 April to Easter Monday, 21 April) and…