Opening our car parks to NHS heroes
08 Apr 2020
How our Car Parks team are playing their part during the coronavirus pandemic
Our University car parks are being used by NHS heroes who are turning up to work every day to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic.
As the rest of the country takes to their doorsteps to applaud the doctors, nurses, porters and cleaners on the healthcare frontline every Thursday, we have opened up our now empty parking spaces – saving one newly-recruited worker £500.
Car Parks Manager, Steph Marsh, explains: “Prior to the closure of non-essential activity, the Car Parks Office agreed to open the barriers at a number of the car parks, as we normally would during the Christmas closure. As there are no Car Parks staff on Campus at present, we wanted to ensure parking was still available to those having to work on Campus without there being a risk of access issues, should barriers or machines fail.
“Soon after starting to work from home, I received a few calls from staff members who are also working at the hospital, asking if they would still be able to park. One member of staff, who pays for a permit at the University, was taking up a post at the hospital sooner than planned to help with the current situation, and had been asked for £500 up front to park at the hospital, money which she wasn’t able to pay out up front. I explained that the barriers at both Cecil and Dilworth Street car parks were in the “up” position, and with these car parks being close to the hospitals, I suggested she continue to park there and to let colleagues within the NHS in the same situation know that parking is available to them without cost while the University remains closed for non-essential activity.
“Tony Morris, our Car Parks Supervisor, lives close to the University and has done a weekly check – just driving through to remain safe during the pandemic – and informs me that these car parks are now around half to three quarters full, and it’s most likely the majority of these cars are NHS staff fighting the pandemic, so providing free parking for up to 600 people.”
Steph says her team of 16 are close knit, having worked together for a number of years, and will definitely have a lot to catch up on when they are back on Campus.
“On a personal level, this has been a challenge, having only taken up the role of Car Parks Manager in January,” she adds.
“However, I’ve seen it as an opportunity to learn as much as I can about the role and the way the Car Parks Office runs, even with the challenge working from home with two young children – especially when they want to speak to whoever rings my work mobile!
“I know the rest of the staff are keen to get back to the office and their kiosks / booths as soon as it’s safe to do so.
“We are all doing as much as we can in this difficult time – so be kind to yourself, take care of your loved ones, and don’t feel guilty for what can’t be achieved but proud of what you are managing in the circumstances.”
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