​A dental nurse made redundant at the start of the pandemic believes it was a sign for her to help the battle against COVID-19 by becoming an NHS vaccinator.

Alison Luckham, a dental nurse who lives in Bognor Regis, was made redundant on 19 March.

Having unsuccessfully applied for 20 jobs, she was forced to live on universal credit.

Now, she is now awaiting feedback on her application to join the COVID-19 vaccination programme.

She says. ‘I worked in a few busy NHS practices and the last job I had was in a dental practice in Hove in a small practice with three dentists. When we went into lockdown back in March, the two dentists left so it meant the practice owner couldn’t afford to keep me on and I was made redundant. I have been unemployed ever since.

'I ended up taking a universal credit loan, so I had to pay back £68 a month out of my benefits. I had to budget £25 a week for food, which meant no money for petrol so I walked to do the shopping. I had to fly by the seat of my pants every day.’

Now, however, Alison is hoping her bid to become an NHS COVID-19 vaccinator is successful.

She says: ‘I always believe something happens for a reason and the reason I was prevented from doing my dental nursing was because I was needed for this special job.’

Alison has been a dental nurse for six years, beginning her training in 2014 and qualifying in January 2016. Since her redundancy, Alison kept herself busy ‘by walking and painting’.

She says: ‘I chose dentistry because I find it fascinating, and I really miss it. I loved mixing materials, helping people out of pain and not to feel so frightened – everything about it is so interesting. However, if I get this job as a vaccinator, I won’t be going back to dental nursing.’

She is now keeping her fingers crossed that she will join the thousands of people helping to administer the vaccination following her training period.

She adds: ‘I can’t think of a better way to offer my services than helping to save lives.’

And her tips for managing any pandemic anxieties? ‘Walk in the fresh air as it wards off depression, and take up a hobby. I love art and painting. Here is my mixed media painting of Bosham, Chichester.’

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