Teenage Wigan care home worker is one of youngest in the country to get Covid vaccine

Ryan Bromley, 16, has just started work as an assistant cook at Windsor House Care Home in Standish.

Conscientious Ryan asked if the other staff at the Wigan Road facility had been vaccinated almost as soon as he arrived and he eagerly agreed when the registered home manager Kathryn Disley said she would look into getting him a jab.

Ryan made the journey from his home in Bolton to Wigan to be vaccinated and was told by the nurse that he was probably the youngest male person anywhere in Britain to have been given a first dose.

As the priority groups at the moment are residents in their 70s as well as health and social care staff and those who are clinically extremely vulnerable Ryan admits he stood out among the other people waiting for their vaccine.

Ryan, who turns 17 in April, said: “I definitely got a few looks from people in the queue. I think a few of them were wondering why I was there.

“I don’t really like needles but it only took a second.

“It was while I was there that they told me I was probably the youngest person to get it. We’ve looked into it a bit and have decided I’m probably the youngest male to have had the jab. I think I’m second-youngest.

“I’m really glad I’ve got the vaccine because I’m really enjoying my job, I like cooking.”

Ryan is currently completing his induction at Windsor House and arrived the week after the rest of the employees there had received Covid vaccines.

Kathryn said she has been extremely impressed with the attitude of her newest member of staff.

She said: “Ryan jumped at the chance to get his vaccine, especially now that he is working with vulnerable adults. He totally understands the importance of keeping the older generation safe and this is so refreshing when teenagers can get some really bad press.

“Ryan is very conscientious he travels by train and bus from Farnworth to Standish in wigan for his shifts and it was this that initially that made me think that if he is willing to travel this far to his place of work at such a young age, then he is well worth taking the time to help him and invest in his future.

“We are lucky to have such a good-natured young person in our care home. I can only hope it is the start of an exciting journey for him with our Windsor House family.”

Ryan has quickly settled into his role in the kitchen and has been preparing chocolate-covered strawberries and home-made cakes for Valentine’s Day. He is also looking forward to celebrating Shrove Tuesday with the residents.

Kathryn says he will be working under supervision in the kitchen after his induction and there are plans for him to work with the activities co-ordinator.

He says his long-term ambition is to join the catering teams in the army.

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