A Bath-based data scientist for Bath-based energy supplier Pure Planet is joining the fight against coronavirus as a volunteer medic with St John Ambulance.
Connor Goddard, 26, has completed COVID-19 training with St John Ambulance and is now set to be deployed in the next few weeks but potentially as early as this weekend.
Connor, a data scientist at Bath-based 100% renewable energy supplier Pure Planet, will be working directly with COVID-19 patients, potentially at one of the new NHS Nightingale hospitals or in a care home or hospice.
There is also a possibility Connor will be drafted in to assist paramedic teams responsible for patient transport and responding to 999 calls.
His responsibilities are likely to include monitoring patients, ensuring they are fed and looked after and anything else needed to support the work of doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals.
Connor said: “I wouldn’t say I had any doubts about volunteering, in fact it was an easy decision.
“I have been involved with St John Ambulance for five years now and the reason anybody joins is to go and help people – the way I see it I wouldn’t be doing my duty if I didn’t.
“I’m trained as a first aider but have been given a lot more training for the specific challenges we will face dealing with Covid-19.
“We were all told we don’t have to do anything we are not comfortable with, but the training geared us up to deal with the situations we face and how to look after ourselves.
“I have absolute confidence that the right protective measures are in place.
“It is clearly a really stressful time for people and everybody working in the NHS is under pressure and needs our help, support and gratitude.”
Like all Pure Planet’s 90-strong team, Connor is currently working full-time from home and as part of his employment benefits at Pure Planet has unlimited holiday and flexible working hours, and is being supported by the company to take on voluntary work.
He said: “The support I have received from the Pure Planet and my colleagues is immense. It makes a huge difference to feel supported by my company.
“I know many others are volunteering in the local community in a variety of ways and doing whatever we can to help make things better.
“Everybody has been very encouraging but I know many have gone the extra mile and donated to St John and those donations make a huge difference to what we can provide.”
Steven Day, co-founder of Pure Planet, said: “I know I speak for the whole Pure Planet team in saying how proud we are of Connor for volunteering to help patients suffering with Covid-19.
“Connor is a fantastic team member – kind, thoughtful and generous – we’re delighted he is helping others.
“Like many workplaces, all of our team have been working remotely for several weeks now and it has been great to see how everyone has stepped up to support each other and their communities through this difficult time.”
You can find the latest coronavirus information, advice and community updates for the Bath & North East Somerset area on our dedicated live blog here.
