#VaccineVoices
People from across our communities sharing their experiences of having the Covid-19 vaccine.

Sadly there is a lot of vaccine misinformation, so we are on a mission to collect #VaccineVoices - people from across our communities sharing their experiences of having the vaccine.
People in our communities speak many languages, so our #VaccineVoices videos reflect this. So far we have videos in Gujarati, Somali, Punjabi, Hausa, Urdu and Pashto.
YOU CAN VIEW ALL OUR VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE BY CLICKING HERE
Page created 3rd February 2021 | Updated 5th July 2021

Success of Community Champions programme which TCT is delighted to be part of
At a press conference on 20th April, Dr Nikita Kanani, the Director of Primary Care for NHS England praised the work of community and faith leaders in increasing the vaccine intake amongst ethnic minority groups.
We are proud of the part we have played in this amazing result, along with Near Neighbours and local authority and NHS colleagues in Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton.

#VaccineVoices 41
In today’s #vaccinevoices video, Paul Watson from Enterprise Homes Group talks about the #covidvaccine and gives some great information on what to do after the vaccine until the guidance changes on 17th May #WVCommunityChamps
Paul from LGBT+ Sparkle in Wolverhampton
#VaccineVoices 40
In today's special 40th #VaccineVoices video, Paul from LGBT+Sparkle shares his #covidvaccine experiences and his work as a #wvcommunitychamps
James
#VaccineVoices 39
Our senior development worker has just had his #covidvaccine and wanted to share his experience with you all vaccine #sayyestothevaccine #covidchampion
Cassius
#VaccineVoices 38
Our very own Cassius Francis reflects on his experience of having the #covidvaccine in today’s #vaccinevoices video
Rani from Walsall
#VaccineVoices 37
In today's #VaccineVoices video, we hear from Rani in Walsall. She is the Peace Education Programme Coordinator, Minhaj-ul-Quran Mosque in Walsall.
She says:
"We're extremely grateful and thankful that we've been able to get the vaccine. We know that there are so many people around the world who would like to have this protection from the virus but aren't able to and we are extremely lucky in this country to get the vaccine." This perfectly reflects how so many of us feel abot the #covidvaccine.
Vaccine Voices 36 - Jan (2)
"It takes less than 5 minutes. I've already had mine and those administering it are so caring, so kind and so gentle"
So says our wonderful friend and Vaccine Voice Jan from Friends of Di’s Kitchen in Wolverhampton, explaining just how easy the process of having her #covidvaccine was. Say “yes” when you’re invited to have your COVID vaccine. #WVCommunitychamps
Thanks to funding from MHCLG via Near Neighbours we are partnering to tackle Covid-19. Sadly there is a lot of vaccine misinformation, so we are on a mission to collect #VaccineVoices - people from across our communities sharing their experiences of having the vaccine. #covidvaccine.
Vaccine Voices 35 - Sandra (2)
In her second #vaccinevoices video, Cllr Sandra Samuels OBE shares about her Father's experience of having the #covidvaccine and encourages others to have theirs too. #WVCommunitychamps
Vaccine Voices 34 - Sandra (1)
"The Covid-19 vaccine, at this moment in time, is our only lifeline" says Cllr Sandra Samuels OBE in today’s #VaccineVoices video, especially if you have other medical problems like diabetes and heart disease. #WVCommunitychamps #covidvaccine
Vaccine Voices 33 - Rupinderjit
In our final #VaccineVoices video this week, we're delighted to share this video from Cllr Rupinderjit Kaur from City of Wolverhampton Council encouraging people to take up their #covidvaccine when prompted to prevent illness and hospital admissions #WVCommunitychamps
Vaccine Voices 32 - Jeanette
Today’s #VaccineVoices video comes from Jeanette from Lichfield Diocese, who talks about how having the #covidvaccine is an active way of living out her Christian faith and loving her neighbours.
Vaccine Voices 31 Maz from Dudley
In this latest #VaccineVoices video, Maz shares about her role as a Dudley Covid Champion and the important work this involves.
Vaccine Voices 30 - Fahim from Walsall
In today's Vaccine Voices video we're delighted to hear from our friend Fahim Zazai, Founder & Chairman of the Afghan Community & Welfare Centre Walsall. He shares about why he feels the covid vaccine is important in Pashto.
Vaccine Voices 29 - Maz from Dudley (1)
For this week's #VaccineVoices we are going to be hearing from a dear friend of TCT - Maz Quari, Managing Director of Turning Points in Dudley. In this first video she talks about why some people are hesitant to take the #covidvaccine.
Vaccine Voices 28 - Shaz
Our Black Country Near Neighbours worker Shaz was delighted to have her vaccine this week. In this video from the Vaccine Centre, she shares her experiences in English and Urdu.
Vaccine Voices 27 - Chris from Walsall
In our final #VaccineVoices video featuring people from Lichfield Diocese this week, we gear how the #covidvaccine is so important to Rev Chris Lane from St Peter’s Church that he’s been volunteering at one of the Walsall vaccination centres!
Vaccine Voices 26 - Richard
In this latest #VaccineVoices video focusing all this week on staff from Lichfield Diocese, Richard shares how easy it was to book his #covidvaccine, especially when he used his correct DOB ;-)
Vaccine Voices 25 - Chris
In today’s #VaccineVoices video we are delighted to hear from Rev Chris Routledge in Newcastle-under-Lyme, part of Lichfield Diocese. He shares his experience of having the #covidvaccine and working on the frontline providing spiritual care to those at the end of life as a Hospital Chaplain.
Vaccine Voices 24 - Jon
Jon Mannion is a HR Officer for St Chad’s Academies Trust, part of Diocese of Lichfield CofE and a Senior Volunteer with St John’s Ambuance running #covidvaccine centres. He shares his experiences in today’s #VaccineVoice video
Vaccine Voices 23 - Mother Jane
All this week we are featuring colleagues from Lichfield Diocese talking about why taking the #covidvaccine is so important to them. In today’s #VaccineVoices, we’re delighted to feature Mother Jane, Parish Priest of All Saints West Bromwich. She’s really keen to encourage people across Sandwell and beyond to take up the #covidvaccine when offered. She shares her experience of having the vaccine as someone in the clinically vulnerable group, overcoming her fears and having a really positive experience!
Vaccine Voices 22 - Bishop Michael Ipgrave
All this week, we are featuring colleagues from Lichfield Diocese in our #VaccineVoices videos, promoting take up of the #covidvaccine. Bishop Michael had his first dose on Friday and is keen to encourage others to do the same!
Vaccine Voices 21 - James
In our final #VaccineVoices post of this week, TCT's Senior Development Worker James Henderson shares his hope of having the #Covidvaccine by the end of July, allowing him and his kids to give their Grandparents a hug!
Vaccine Voices 20 - Shaz
Our Near Neighbours worker Shaz explains why she is keen to have the #Covidvaccine when offered - to protect the people she loves and cares for! #VaccineVoices
Vaccine Voices 19 - Lesley
In this weeks #vaccinevoices, we're featuring TCT staff saying why they have either had or are looking forward to having the #covidvaccine. Today, Lesley from our Places of Welcome team reflects on her "best present ever" - her covid vaccine 👍 🎁
Vaccine Voices 18 - Rue
In this weeks #vaccinevoices, we're featuring TCT staff saying why they have either had or are looking forward to having the #covidvaccine.Today, Rue describes how she got over her initial concerns:
"I had my first vaccine at the hospital. The whole process once you get in to have your jab is very easy and relaxed. I had 15 minutes afterwards where you sit, to make sure you have no initial side effects, then you get your second appointment and you leave. I wasn't sure whether to have the vaccine at first but changed my mind when people close to me were getting ill with the virus. I'm glad I did, the only after effect I had was a really heavy arm and underarm."
Vaccine Voices 17 - Cassius
In this weeks #vaccinevoices, we're featuring TCT staff saying why they have either had or are looking forward to having the #covidvaccine. First up is Rev Cassius Francis 👍
Vaccine Voices 16 - Adam from Walsall
In today's #vaccinevoices video, we're delighted to have a second video of Adam Shaban - Imam of African Community Walsall and founder of Nuuril Huda Cultural Centre, sharing his #covidvaccine message in the Hausa language.
Vaccine Voices 15 - Surinder from Birmingham
In today's #VaccineVoices video, we're delighted to hear from Surinder, who contacted us to encourage people to take up the #covidvaccine when offered. He shares in Punjabi. Here is the English translation: My name is Surinder Singh. I'm the Covid Champion for Nishkam and Birmingham Council. My humble request is for anyone who receives the opportunity to get vaccinated be it Pfizer or AstraZeneca please get vaccinated and protect your self and the community, so we can get some normality back in our lives as quickly as possible. We are delighted to partner with our colleagues at Near Neighbours Birmingham for this video, part of Thrive Together Birmingham.
Vaccine Voices 14 - Shardbhai from Walsall
In today #vaccinevoices, we are delighted to hear from Sharadbhai Bhatt, Priest at the Shree Ram Mandir in Walsall, who shares in Gujarati about why it is important to have your #covidvaccine.
Vaccine Voices 13 - Balbir from Walsall
In todays #vaccinevoices film, Balbir takes us inside the vaccination centre in Walsall, letting us know how she found having her #covidvaccine.
Vaccine Voice 12 - Jan from Wolverhampton
Why should we all have the covidvaccine when offered? In today's #vaccinevoices video, Jan from 'Friend's of Di's Kitchen, which supports homeless and vulnerable people from across the City of Wolverhampton gives some very compelling reasons why we should all say "Yes" to the vaccine.
Vaccine Voices 11 - Kajal from Walsall
Today's #vaccinevoices video is Kajal Paw, the Secretary of Walsall Hindu Forum. She shares in Gujarati why she is supporting the #COVIDVaccine
#VaccineVoices 10 - Adam from Walsall
Today we’re delighted to be hearing from Adam in Walsall. Adam Shaban is part of the Nuurul Huda Cultural Centre in Walsall. He shares about why it’s important to him to take the COVID-19 vaccine.
Vaccine Voices 9 - Jan from Lichfield
Lichfield Cathedral was the 1st cathedral in England to host a #COVIDVaccine clinic, partnering with Lichfield Primary Care Network. The Rt Revd Jan McFarlane, a Cathedral Canon and Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Lichfield, shares her reflections in today’s #vaccinevoices + amazing time lapse video from Peter Walker 👏👏
”In the Cathedral setting up for the vaccination clinic I felt strangely emotional. Working together to beat this vile common enemy. A beacon of hope.”
Vaccine Voices 8 - Said from Smethwick
Today, we’re delighted to show you just how easy having the #covidvaccine is! Said Odowa, Family Support Co-ordinator & Advice Worker at Ileys Community in Smethwick videoed his vaccination on Tuesday and shares his experiences in English and Somali.
Thanks to funding from MHCLG via Near Neighbours we are partnering to tackle Covid-19. Sadly there is a lot of vaccine misinformation, so we are on a mission to collect #VaccineVoices - people from across our communities sharing their experiences of having the vaccine. #covidvaccine.
Vaccine Voices 7 - Amratbhai from Walsall
Today's #VaccineVoices video is in Gujarati and features Amratbhai Mistry, Trustee of the Hindu Forum in Walsall.
Vaccine Voices 6 - Peter from Oldbury
We’re delighted to hear from Peter, Minister at Warley Baptist Church. He outlines how cooperation across the globe has led to the speedy production of a safe vaccine. We love the “vaccine.. get it done!” quote from Dr Lisa McNally, Director of Public Health at Sandwell Council. #vaccinevoices
Vaccine Voices 5 - Olivia from Wolverhampton
Today’s #vaccinevoices video is Olivia Birch, City of Wolverhampton Councillor for Bilston North, encouraging everyone to say yes to the Covid vaccine, particularly people from the black and Asian community.
#VaccineVoices 4 - Mrs Madhu Patel, Vice Chair, Shree Ram Mandir in Walsall
In today's #VaccineVoices we are delighted to hear from Mrs Madhu Patel, Vice Chair, Shree Ram Mandir in Walsall. In this Gujarati language version, she shares here experienc of having the #covidvaccine and her encouragement for other to say yes to the vaccine when they are asked.
Vaccine Voices 3 - Dawn from Wolverhampton
In today's #VaccineVoices video, we are delighted to hear from Dawn, an MHA Chaplain for a 60 bed care home in Wolverhampton.
Vaccine Voices 2 - Liz from Staffordshire
‘I had my first Covid vaccination on Monday at the Staffordshire County showground.
The whole experience was excellently organised in a most calming and reassuring way – the actual vaccination is not in the least bit painful and afterwards it was just lovely to sit in a large room with other people listening to peaceful, gentle chatter and quiet, tranquil music playing in the background.
I could have happily stayed there for longer!!’ (Liz) #covidvaccine
Vaccine Voices 1 - Chimanbhai Karadia from Walsall
Today we are delighted to share the experience of Chimanbhai Karadia, Operations Director of Sewa Kitchen in Walsall.