An electricity worker has described the emotional connection he is experiencing as he helps with the Covid vaccination roll-out.

Jon Bray, 49, from Saxmundham, is volunteering twice a week at the Sole Bay vaccination base in Southwold, run by the South Waveney Primary Care Network.

He has been given time away from his work by his employer UK Power Networks, where he usually trains engineering staff at its Bury St Edmunds training centre.

Now his duties every Tuesday and Thursday, and in his own time at weekends, are as part of team of volunteers and medical staff vaccinating the local community in and around Southwold.

Eastern Daily Press: Jon Bray has been given time away from his work as a trainer at UK Power Networks in Bury St Edmunds to volunteer to administer the Covid-19 vaccine in Southwold. Picture: Courtesy of UK Power NetworksJon Bray has been given time away from his work as a trainer at UK Power Networks in Bury St Edmunds to volunteer to administer the Covid-19 vaccine in Southwold. Picture: Courtesy of UK Power Networks (Image: Courtesy of UK Power Networks)

Mr Bray has already administered vaccines to vulnerable people and health workers as part of the first stage of the government’s vaccination programme, as well as becoming a patient advocate and data inputter at the centre.

Mr Bray said: “You do get a fantastic reaction from people after you administer the jab and the overriding emotion I would say is elation.

"We had one lady receive the jab and then come back the next day to thank us all again.

“It’s a great feeling to be part of a team delivering for the local community.

"I’m just one of a number of volunteers who will be doing this for the foreseeable future as we bid to control the coronavirus pandemic.

“I’m a first aider and have taken on additional training for this role and I’m really grateful to UK Power Networks for releasing me to help the community in working hours as one of two dozen volunteers each day.

“I can take on a range of roles from giving the vaccine to patients to staying with them for at least 15 minutes after they had the jab to check they are okay.

"It’s totally a team effort with around 100 volunteers in total so I’m a small cog in a very big wheel.”

Jo Calderon, business manager of the Sole Bay vaccination centre, said: “We are massively grateful to Jon and his company for lending him to us and funding his work for us.

"He is a really adaptable volunteer who is helping us in so many ways.

"Everyone contributing is helping to save lives.”