Making a positive difference during COVID
COVID has changed many things. And many that volunteered regularly are now finding these opportunities few and far between. We’ve all been impacted by COVID, some more than others, and today, we’d like to share the bias for action of one employee of many who is helping to fight COVID 19.
Based in the UK, Robert Kvedaras joined Nutanix in 2019 and is an Enterprise Account Manager in the Financial Services Team. In our conversation, we talked about volunteerism with St. John Ambulance in the time of COVID, and the profound experience he and other Nutants have had volunteering safely for this important cause.
Tell us about St. John Ambulance and why you decided to volunteer with them?
I volunteered as a National Health Service (NHS) Responder when lockdown started. Thousands of us responded to requests for assistance from people in the community who needed it. At the end of 2020, I was invited to apply to be a vaccinator with St John Ambulance - they had been tasked with providing 30,000 volunteers across several roles to support the NHS in administering the vaccine. I signed up, was interviewed, screened, trained & approved to vaccinate.
What drew me to volunteer was the impact COVID has had on my family. My son is a medic and caught COVID twice. Young and strong, it hit him hard both times! Also, my mother lives in a care home treating her dementia. I haven’t been able to see her since January 2020, and her condition means we can’t do window visits any longer. So, if there is something I can do to help us get through the pandemic as safely and quickly as possible, I’m in!
How are you volunteering for SJA?
In times of crisis, SJA is England’s national health reserve and partners with the National Health Service to support and deploy the COVID-19 vaccine. As a vaccination volunteer, we deliver these vital jabs and take care of people before and after they receive them. The first vaccination teams were sent across the country in early January 2021.
What motivates you to stay involved?
Seeing the impact first hand is very powerful. The people we have helped to vaccinate are so grateful. And, the bigger picture is that fewer people will die as a result of what we do. Plus, we’ll get back to some sense of normalcy much sooner. I know that not everyone will take the vaccine, so it is important that we vaccinate those willing as quickly as possible, while following the health guidelines and the science.
What contribution or achievement are you most proud of?
That’s a good question! My first day, making sure that ~350 people were assessed, advised, and presented to a vaccinator in one 8 hour shift was a proud moment. It's teamwork, and we’re a really good team. Also, being told that I made a difference is nice, but being told it dozens of times each day I work a shift is humbling, and I’m proud to be a part of something that helps so many people.
Who provides you the inspiration to be so closely involved?
I mentioned my eldest son and mother earlier. This is one of the only ways I could figure out to help them the soonest. I know many people are in a similar situation. Also, my other children (my 11 year old daughter and 15 year old son) tell me how proud they are of me.
Share an experience volunteering that moved you.
It is special being part of a diverse army of people who simply want to make a positive difference to the horrible impact COVID has had—there’s no material reward, yet we work so hard. It's a profound experience.
Thank you to Robert for graciously sharing his volunteer experience with us. To learn more about our Nutanix .heart social impact program visit the Nutanix Corporate Social Responsibility page.