Support the UK’s lifesaving ambulance staff this August by voting for The Ambulance Staff Charity

This August, The Ambulance Staff Charity (TASC) are one of four charities competing in our poll to win 20% of My Favourite Voucher Codes profits. Find out more about TASC and how your vote can help change the lives of ambulance staff when they’re struggling below. 

What Does TASC Do? 

TASC is a charity providing a safe space for ambulance staff to go for help when they’re struggling to cope with their mental, physical, and financial wellbeing. TASC is there in their time of need, so that they can continue to be there in your time of need. 

TASC is the only national charity providing independent and confidential wellbeing services to support our full ambulance family. TASC is there to help:

• All serving and retired ambulance workers, regardless of their role
• People who volunteer in our ambulance services, such as community first responders
• Student paramedics

One of the toughest jobs in the country…

On top of life’s everyday stresses and strains, ambulance staff are exposed to traumatic jobs, extremely distressing calls, grueling work environments, intense pressures, and very long hours. This can all have a significant impact on their wellbeing:

• Ambulance staff are more likely to suffer from PTSD than soldiers
• Male paramedics have a 75% higher risk of suicide than the national average
• Every single hour at least one ambulance worker is attacked or abused at work
• Over a quarter of ambulance staff have reported experiencing sexual harassment from the general public
• 50% of paramedics have musculoskeletal pain on a regular basis

Support our ambulance family in their time of need

Sometimes ambulance staff need a bit of help, and TASC is there to provide:

Mental wellbeing support

The charity offers tailored talking therapies for a range of reasons, including anxiety, depression, trauma and Complex PTSD. In 2022 they also launched a 24/7 phoneline to provide immediate and ongoing support to ambulance staff with suicidal thoughts. 

Bereavement support

TASC provides support for the colleagues and families of staff who have passed away, including talking therapies and grants to help with funeral costs. Since 2004, TASC has also arranged and hosted the National Ambulance Memorial Service to honour ambulance staff who have passed away. 

Financial guidance

TASC’s money expert helps people struggling with their finances by providing benefits checks, income maximisation advice, and information on other support they may be eligible for. 

Physical rehabilitation

For ambulance staff injured in the line of duty, TASC can arrange for them to attend a treatment facility to aid their recovery.

Online wellbeing support

The charity also has a host of online guidance and evidence-based modules to help people practice self-care. 

TASC makes a real difference to struggling ambulance staff

• The charity has provided 10,000 counselling sessions since the start of the pandemic
• In its first year, more than 400 ambulance staff were supported by the Ambulance Staff Crisis Phoneline, including 68 lives being saved from imminent danger
• Those who access the charities financial services are £368 a month better off 
• The charity has funded 140 places at treatment facilities since 2017 

Beth, an Emergency Medical Technician, reached out to TASC’s Ambulance Staff Crisis Phoneline for support when she was at her lowest. After ensuring she was safe, TASC arranged for her to have a number of specialist mental health sessions tailored to her needs: 

“TASC saved my life. Last year I was about to take my own life when I rang the Ambulance Staff Crisis Phoneline and spoke to a wonderful person for nearly an hour. TASC was there on my darkest day, and I’m still here today because of their support. Thank you doesn’t seem enough.”

How Will The Donation Help TASC?

TASC receive no financial support from the NHS or ambulance services to provide their general services, so your support will help ensure our lifesaving ambulance staff continue to be able to access vital wellbeing services when they’re struggling. 

Even just £500 could have a significant impact on so many people – it’s the equivalent of the charity providing 11 mental health sessions, 29 hours of financial guidance or 36 people having access to TASC’s online platform for an entire year!

How Can I Contact TASC?

If you need help, you can speak to TASC’s Wellbeing Support Team by calling 02477 987 922 or emailing support@theasc.org.uk. The team are available 9am – 5pm, Mon – Fri. 

If you’re an ambulance worker and having suicidal thoughts, the Ambulance Staff Crisis Phoneline is available 24/7 to provide immediate and ongoing support. Completely independent and confidential, and staff by trained counsellors with experience supporting blue light workers. Call 0300 373 0898 or visit www.theasc.org.uk/crisis to learn more. 

How Can I Support the TASC?

The simplest way to support TASC is to vote for them in the My Favourite Voucher Codes poll! Voting is 100% free. 

1. Visit the My Favourite Voucher Codes homepage 
2. Scroll down until you see the poll on the right-hand side (bottom of the page for mobile).
3. Click the small circle next to TASC to cast your vote! 

5 other ways you can support the charity:

1. Make a donation
   Visit www.theasc.org.uk/donate to make a one-off or regular donation. Alternatively you can text AMBULANCE to 70085 to donate £3 to TASC (standard message rate applies).
    
2. Purchase an item on their shop
   TASC have lots of great items on their online shops. Take a look here: https://www.ambulancehearts.co.uk/tasc or visit their eBay shop: https://www.ebay.co.uk
    
3. Sign up to a challenge
   TASC have a range of exciting challenges you can join to help raise funds for the charity – from skydiving to a sunrise climb of Mount Snowdon, there’s something for everyone. Visit https://www.theasc.org.uk/category/fundraising-events/ to learn more.
    
4. Donate your pre-loved clothes to TASC
   Arrange an online collection of your old clothes and help raise funds for the charity. Visit https://www.theasc.org.uk/individual/recycle-your-clothing/ to get started.
    
5. Join the charity’s newsletter
   Stay in-touch with TASC by signing up to receive their monthly newsletter full of good news stories, free resources and opportunities to get involved in their work. Sign up at www.theasc.org.uk/subscribe. 

How Can I Find Out More about TASC?

To learn more about TASC, visit their website: www.theasc.org.uk

To stay in touch on social media, just search for @TASCharity on Facebook, X, Instagram or LinkedIn. You can also listen to TASC’s podcast on Spotify and YouTube. 

Has TASC got your vote? If so, then head over to our Homepage to show your support. Once you have cast your vote, why not share the poll with friends and family to help them get as many votes as possible! Vote by 31 August 2024 to ensure your vote is counted.