Diss business launched to help people become better prepared with health crisis situations

Two friends who had to leave the ambulance service due to health issues have decided to use their experiences to help others through a new business teaching first aid and mental health support.

Vicki Coyle and Charlie Page will be hosting their sessions in a space in Sawmills Road in Diss to fill a gap in training within the area through their business R.S.T Training Company Ltd.

“There’s nowhere in Diss for first aid training,” said Vicki.

“The nearest places are Norwich and Ipswich, and there is a real need there because it’s often down to bystanders or family members to be the first point of intervention.

“There are things you can do to help. Family and friends will often know something is wrong, and we offer a course that can help them understand common conditions and let them know what they can do to help.

“It’s not necessarily about saying the perfect things, it’s more about actively listening and helping them access support networks.”

Mrs Coyle, who lives in Diss, suffered Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) due to her experiences in working as a paramedic for eight years, before a back injury and depression led to her deciding to leave.

“Being a paramedic was my dream job, so to lose that - I lost who I was.”

Charlie said: “Both myself and Vicki are passionate about high quality service and in the past I have taught community first responders.

“People sometimes do wait a long time for ambulances and the average age of residents is over 60, so by imparting our knowledge to the community we may save lives.

“It is okay being taught by other well known companies, but we have real-life experience from when we were part of an ambulance crew.

“Vicki and myself attended endless falls, cardiac arrests and accidents and we were a very successful crew. It is our passion to provide first class care and pass on the knowledge to be able to do this.

“We both have our separate problems with physical and mental health, which is another passion, but together we are stronger and can overcome anything.”

For more details, visit www.rsttrainingcompanyltd.org.uk/