Reflecting on the Community Support Given by WGU During the Covid-19 Pandemic

To mark the beginning of British Science Week on March 5 and World Health Day on April 7, we thought we’d take this opportunity to highlight and reflect on the incredible efforts of Wrexham Glyndŵr University’s staff and students over the last year.

Accommodation

Key workers tackling the coronavirus pandemic stayed in accommodation provided by Wrexham Glyndŵr University. Workers who carried out key roles at Wrexham Maelor Hospital, moved into our student accommodation in April 2020. As our student halls stood empty, Director of Operations, Lynda Powell, saw this as an opportunity to support key workers in an effort to help keep our NHS running. We also allowed the council to use our old student accommodation to temporarily house homeless people.

Personal Protective Equipment

Staff across Wrexham Glyndŵr University collaborated to ensure PPE such as facemasks, gloves, aprons and more were donated to Wrexham Maelor Hospital. The university donated supplies to a PPE production facility set up in Wrexham to help healthcare workers on the coronavirus front line. Following an initial donation of relevant equipment from the university’s Faculty of Arts, Science and Technology, further donations of both raw materials and 3D printers were provided to Hwb Wrecsam. A team based at Glyndŵr’s OpTIC Technology Centre at St Asaph also worked to produce PPE equipment using 3D printing technology – and liaised with Ysbyty Glan Clwyd to ensure it reached healthcare staff most in need.

Volunteers

A team of volunteers including staff and students at Wrexham Glyndŵr University were also on hand to lend their support. Senior Lecturer in Engineering, Martyn Jones, worked to co-ordinate both supplies and volunteers from the university. A number of our former students volunteered at the Hwb, aiding with the creation and donation of PPE equipment to the local hospital throughout the first lockdown. There also remains to be a volunteer force compiled of Forensic Science students on standby to work at the NHS mortuaries if needed.

Vaccination Centre

Wrexham Glyndŵr University are pleased to be hosting a Covid-19 vaccination center within its main campus. The Catrin Finch Centre, usually used for events, plays and workshops, was the first local vaccination centre to open in North Wales. Since its opening on January 26 2021, it has continued to play an integral part in the rollout of vaccinations. Vaccinations continue to be by appointment only.

Whilst we are yet to see the back of this awful disease, we hope our efforts and support to the local community have helped the NHS continue their heroic work.