“We would deal with call after call unless on a break” “It will be a long time before we truly know what impact the pandemic has had on vulnerable children”
Firefighter Rachael juggled two roles during the height of the pandemic after volunteering to drive ambulances on her days off
When the pandemic started I’d been working for Gloucestershire Fire & Rescue Service for four years. The ambulance service was struggling and so the fire service volunteered support. Because I’m blue-light qualified and trained to drive a fire engine, I put myself forward. I ended up working the two middle days of the four days off on my usual rota.
A real positive was that ambulances are smaller than fire engines and this proved a godsend as Gloucestershire’s roads are so narrow. As we’re all trained in basic first aid, I got involved in patient care, too, such as blood pressure and temperature checks. I only encountered two patients with Covid symptoms during my stint, but my husband, George, who is also a firefighter and who volunteered to drive ambulances too, assisted with several.
It was a real eye-opener to see how manically busy ambulance teams are. We would deal with call after call unless we were on a break. It was definitely more relentless than the fire service is at times. After several weeks of juggling two jobs, I started to feel exhausted and was neglecting other things in my life, so I’ve now given up the ambulance driving.
I joined the fire service at the age of 31. I’d had a variety of jobs, from waitressing to working in a deli, and a friend suggested that I apply for an on-call role at my local station. Following this I got a full-time role.
I’ve attended all kinds of emergencies, but the one that stands out was at the Robinswood Inn in Matson, which was spectacular, with cars outside also alight when we arrived. Once the fire was under control I went into the building and helped to pull down a fire-damaged ceiling.
I’ve ridden since I was a child, and 10 years ago I bought a two-year-old, 16.2hh grey mare called Lola. She was very green, but I did gentle work to gain her confidence.
Riding has always been a therapy that helps me to forget the stresses of work — my time for peace and quiet — and that has definitely been true during the pandemic.
I’ve recently moved Lola to a private yard near Minchinhampton and I’m still discovering the local rides. One that I’ve found already takes an hour, with the end destination being Cirencester Park — what a wonderful place for a hack!
A frontline social worker of eight years, Rachel has had to deal with far more crisis cases among vulnerable children since the pandemic began, but her two horses have helped her through the hard times
I work as a frontline social worker for children and families in Lancashire, dealing with safeguarding issues and family courts to keep vulnerable children safe. My usual hours are Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, plus the occasional evening, but since March 2020 up until recently
I’ve been working late every night. It’s a barometer of the extra issues the team of social workers that I’m a part of has been facing.
Everything has changed — from schools and support services shutting to families being totally isolated, and that has had an impact on vulnerable children in so many ways. They can no longer discuss concerns with a teacher, for example; very young children are lacking social skills, such as using a knife and fork; they have lost the only hot meal they probably eat during the day; and respite activities for young carers have been cancelled.
Some children have been unable to see one of their parents — often because travel has been restricted. One dad who tried to drive to see his kids every week was frequently stopped and sent home by the police.
While our service has held up well, we often haven’t been able to resolve issues quickly or progress cases like we usually do. We’ve also faced more crisis cases. Ultimately I think it will be a long time before we truly know what impact the pandemic has had on vulnerable children.
My job can be incredibly stressful and I could work 24/7, but having horses means that I have to switch off my computer and go to the livery yard to care for my two, which is good for my own mental health. As I drive to the farm it’s like I’m stepping away from the real world and into one of normality with no Covid. I keep Lucy (see box) and Sid there. Sid is a 13-year-old, 14.2hh coloured native, whom I bought in 2019 when Lucy was out of action with a leg injury. He’s a fantastic all-rounder — we hack, showjump, do cross-country and take part in native showing classes.
My horses were also my saviours when my nan died from Covid last October. She was in a nursing home, and tested positive, but was asymptomatic for a fortnight. Then, the following Saturday, a doctor visited her as she had a high temperature. The next morning she passed away. I take comfort from the fact that she didn’t suffer. She was my biggest supporter with the horses and a few years ago she would come to the yard and watch me. Latterly, when I visited her weekly in the home, she would ask after Lucy and Sid. I’m going to miss her so much.