大象传媒

Every day across the country thousands of lives are saved or improved by the many heroes of the NHS. In Kent, one former patient, Tim Parsons, has showed his thanks by joining the South East Coast Ambulance service (SECAMB) as a volunteer chaplain.

He has personal reasons for helping them: 鈥淎 number of years ago I suffered with PTSD. And the paramedics were outstanding with their care towards me and my family.鈥� He also had a situation with his young son. 鈥淲hen he was 3 years old, he was rushed into hospital very ill and we nearly lost him. But thanks to the paramedics they saved his life.鈥�

Though many chaplains volunteer within the NHS, it鈥檚 unusual for them to work alongside ambulance crews. But without imposing his faith, Tim gives pastoral support when requested, and lends a hand practically. Generally he serves the crews but he can help members of the public too: 鈥淥n a pastoral one to one level, there鈥檝e been a few times when I鈥檝e sat with someone, even cried with them.

鈥淎s a chaplain I鈥檓 made to be part of the team, even down to things like the uniform I wear. People will ask me why do you believe [in God] when such bad things happen? And I sometimes have to think 鈥榶es, where is God in this?鈥� And then actually I do know exactly where he is... It鈥檚 a bit like when I come home from work and I go to our children, I give them a big cuddle to comfort them. I go to God and I go to his loving arms for comfort, and I know I can go to those arms at any time.鈥�

Chris Treves, a paramedic who has become a personal friend of Tim鈥檚, is full of praise for the work of the volunteer chaplain. 鈥淲e could be going from anything from a trauma to something minor, to something that might be playing on our minds, from home life to work life. And Tim鈥檚 a very good arm to have within the service that we can access and talk about it to him, and be confidential.鈥�

Fellow paramedic Annie Solecki describes Tim very simply: 鈥淗e鈥檚 a credit to the service. You can have a laugh with him鈥� he鈥檚 a gent!鈥�

When they arrive on emergency callouts, the paramedics tend to the physical needs, while Tim can quietly offer prayerful support for the patients and the crew. 鈥淚 pray that the outcome would be positive. I may not pray out loud, but inside I do pray鈥� that the peace that passes all understanding will rest in all of our hearts.鈥�

鈥淪ongs of Praise NHS 70th鈥� is on 大象传媒 One, Sunday 1 July at 1.30pm

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