City test centre volunteer secures permanent post
A volunteer at one of Wolverhampton’s coronavirus test centres has secured a new full-time job after impressing fellow workers with his enthusiasm for the role.
Jack Weaver, 17, had been working at The Hub on Ashmore Park, Wednesfield, when he was spotted by staff from BBP Security.
The Wolverhampton-based firm has been contracted by the city council to help manage the flow of people through its Covid-19 test centres.
Jack, who comes from Portobello, Willenhall, was working as part of a team of 30 volunteers welcoming, registering and testing visitors when he was offered the job.
He said: “Both my parents work for the NHS, and when I saw just how quickly the number of victims testing positive was I decided then and there that I wanted to make a difference.
“I did the training I needed for the work with Boots and then went to volunteer in the Civic Centre before moving to work at Ashmore Park, which I know is one of the worst-affected areas in Wolverhampton.
“Whilst volunteering at the centres I always felt it was very important to put every single person at their ease and to keep people’s spirits up, as it’s a very difficult time for everyone.
“My mother works as a bereavement officer and my dad’s a driver for the Patient Transfer Service, so I know how hard health staff work and I was really keen to help out in any way I could.
'Thrilled to bits'
“One of the members of staff from BBP Security approached me one day and told me they liked what I was doing and wanted to offer me a job. I was thrilled to bits as I really love working with people.”
The former St Thomas More Comprehensive School pupil added that he had done previous work as a steward at Walsall FC, of whom he is a massive supporter.
Jack said that after being taken on full-time by BBP Security, which has its headquarters in Exchange Street close to the Civic Centre, he will continue to work at whichever test centre needs his services for as long as necessary.
Councillor Phil Bateman met Jack when he visited The Hub last week for a test with wife, Councillor Mary Bateman.
“As a volunteer, Jack impressed the company under contract to provide security so much that they have now taken him on as a full-time employee.
“So out of his enthusiasm for volunteering, a new full-time post has been filled. We have a great ethic for volunteering in Wolverhampton so this is wonderful news,” he said.
“Here in Ashmore Park and Wednesfield the rate of Covid-19 infections has been higher than the national average and higher than the Wolverhampton average.
“I would advise as many local people as possible to go along and take the test. It’s fast and easy and there is a great set of professionals and local volunteers ready to help and assist.
“Since The Hub began testing on January 21, cumulative data up to last Saturday has confirmed that 667 people have been tested with 26 positives, 637 negatives and four invalid tests."
