Sophie Walker has been spending her lockdown volunteering at local vaccination centres near her home in the North West.
Sophie Walker normally spends her days working as a Sky Sports commentator, presenting for the Ladies European Tour or coaching.
But with golf courses closed and much of the professional schedule still on hold, the former Tour player has been using her extra free time for good.
Sophie is doing her bit
“Every aspect of my job has been affected by the pandemic to some extent – coaching, playing and media work.
“I needed a purpose to my days and when a friend mentioned to me that he’d signed up as a volunteer and why didn’t I join him, I thought, ‘why not?’ I felt it was a really positive thing to do," she said, speaking to England Golf.
“We all see the vaccination programme as a big move in the right direction and I’m happy to play a small part in the process.
“There is a danger that every day will become Groundhog Day if you don’t do something to keep the mind active. I’m fortunate enough that I have the time to volunteer."
The former LET star's offer to help was immediately snapped up by her local health authority, and she now works regular six-hour shifts at centres in and around Manchester.
Her time is split between between supervising the car park, performing a meet and greet service and then after visitors have received the vaccines, spending time with people in the observation room where they are required to wait for 15 minutes.
“It’s been a great experience helping people who are over the age of 75 – many of whom have hardly left the house in 10 months," she continued.
“There are people who haven’t spoken to a soul in months and if I can help in some small way by having a chat with them at a centre while they come in for their injection, then that’s great.
“If someone is worried about going in for the vaccine, or a little unsure of the process, I see it as my role to make them feel more comfortable.”
Always time for golf
No doubt recognised for her many appearances on Sky Sports and time on Tour, Sophie has had plenty of time to chat golf with those she's helping.
“One chap in the line started talking to me about golf and said that he really admired the swing of PGA Tour pro Matthew Wolff,” she added.
“He said he used to be a Ben Hogan man, but now couldn’t bend his right elbow and Wolff’s swing with a straight right arm was something he could identify with!
“So, there we were mimicking different swings and the quick movement of the hips in the car park of the vaccine centre while he was waiting his turn to go in for his jab. It just shows you golf is never far away!”
We thoroughly admire her for giving up her time to such a worthy cause. Well done, Sophie!
If you're interested in volunteering with the NHS vaccination programme, you can find out more HERE.
