St John Ambulance Staffordshire - Points of Lights

Carol Trigg, from Staffordshire, has been a member of ‘St John Ambulance’ for nearly 50 years, delivering first aid in the community and running large teams of volunteers.

After deterioration in her vision in 2012, she had moved from her role as a unit manager to become a training specialist. She now oversees the volunteer units in South Staffordshire and helps maintain standards and training for all volunteers. Since losing her sight, Carol set up a self-help group in her local area for other visually impaired people and their carers. The meetings are held monthly in the local church, and the programme includes speakers, information sharing and varied activities.

In a personal letter to Carol, Prime Minister Theresa May said:

“Your dedication to supporting ‘St John Ambulance’ for nearly 50 years has been truly remarkable, and has inspired people from across Staffordshire to volunteer for the charity and provide vital first aid cover. You should feel very
proud of the way you are sharing your own experiences of sight loss to offer specialist support to individuals with visual impairments, and those who care for them.”

Carol said:

“It was a total surprise, out of the blue, to be informed that I had been recommended for the Points of Light award for my voluntary work with ‘St John Ambulance’. Like many others, I have been a member of St John since joining as a cadet, in my case at age 11, and I have gained many skills from participation in the organisation as a volunteer at different levels and in different roles, which have helped me in my working and social life. It is humbling to be selected from among many worthy volunteer colleagues. I continue to be involved as a trainer and have the privilege therefore of meeting young people who are starting on their St John journey.”

Use Your Senses 5k Run for Guide Dogs at Sutton Park,

On Sunday 3rd December 2017 at Sutton Park, Sutton Coldfield I completed the Use Your Senses 5k Run for Guide Dogs. I did not believe I could have so much fun having never run before. 

I did the run in a time of 55 minutes, the course had a variety of terrain making it a challenge in parts. I signed up in September for the run after my younger brother who is fully sighted did a 5k run for Guide Dogs at Telford Park. He told me how much he enjoyed the run and I was inspired to do one myself despite having limited vision.

Signing up for the event was simple, all I had to do was go onto Guide Dogs website and find the next local 5k event. For myself this was in Sutton Coldfield, however, Guide Dogs are planning to do more over the country in 2018. Once I had signed up online, a few days later I recieved a training pack via email to help prepare myself for this new challenge. 

My sister also signed up to the event and she was my sighted guide. By having my sister it helped motivate each other as we both could have easily have given up especially in the cold, dark nights. The training plan was simple to follow but was challenging for those like me who had never run for the bus let alone 5k. 

On the day, the atmosphere was electric with music playing, the smell of food from the food

 vendors and people talking to one another. There was lots of guide dogs with their owners who also paricipated and guide dog puppies who were in training. My guide dog Flora, was at the start and finished line with my husband supporting me on my run. I think Flora was worried that she would have to run but realised that  I was running off into the distance without her. 

The run was all about using your senses as when you lose your sight you have to rely on other sense. This meant that throughout the course, there was check points the first was about sound. There was a local choir who sang as you went passed. The second check point was bubbles that were scented with mint; the third was taste, where we were given cinnamon snowflake biscuits; the fourth was running through powder paint representing sight and the final was touch where we had to run through foam. 

Running across the finish line I felt liberated and excited. I would highly recommend this event to challenge yourself. There was a variety of ages and abilities taking part. 

I would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who supported the event and Guide Dogs. 

Norton Canes Primary Academy met
Carol and her dog Florad

'

Year 2 at Norton Canes Primary Academy met Carol and her dog Flora for the first time in January this year. They were embarking on a project about seeing in the dark (nocturnal animals) and invited Carol and Flora in because the children were curious about what is was like to be blind and how blind people coped.

They were so inspired they decided to try and raise funds to help Carol look after Flora. 

Their aim was £260 - £10 per class member. As a class they decided to do a sponsored walk of 10 laps of the school field. One Child took it upon himself to raise a whopping £340 on his own by cycling around Chasewater. Another child sold his Christmas toys to raise £75. The grand total came to £800 and was presented to Carol and Flora today to give to the Guide Dog Association. The children were ecstatic to see Carol and Flora again. '

Carol O'Brien

Teacher 26 May 2016

Carol and Guide Dog Flora meet Michael Fabricant MP

Michael Fabricant MP meeting Carol and Flora
25 May 2016

TAXIS AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT NEED TO BE AWARE OF THEIR LEGAL OBLIGATIONS TO THE BLIND AND THEIR GUIDE DOGS

Michael Fabricant and other MPs met partially sighted and sightless constituents in Parliament today (Wednesday 25^th May) along with their Guide Dogs.

Michael met Carol Trigg of Burntwood who, with her guide dog Flora, had been refused entry to a taxi in Cannock. Carol says “I am aware from conversations with other guide dog owners I regularly meet that I am not alone in having been refused a taxi in Staffordshire.”

Michael says “It is the law that taxi drivers must accept guide dogs and their handlers.  It is against the law to refuse and there are fines and the risk of the loss of their taxi licences if drivers do not comply.

“I have taken this up with the Government minister, Justin Tomlinson, who has responsibility for this and asked if the Government can give this law more publicity and increase the penalties on any driver who discriminates against anyone with a guide dog by refusing to carry them to their destination.  And this applies to train operators and buses too.”

Poor Service from Cannock Taxis for Guide Dog owner Carol

Carol and Flora will not take a Taxi
off Cannock Taxi rank again

AND FINALLY

As a consequence, I have not taken a taxi from Cannock taxi rank since as I now feel vulnerable, in case I were to encounter that same driver and I can have no confidence that the Local Authority would act to protect me as the message they appear to have given to taxi drivers is that they can refuse guide dog owners with impunity. Had it been late at night with no other alternative taxi there then I would have been placed in great difficulty.

I do not know whether other guide dog owners have been refused a taxi in this area. I do know that nationally most people who are refused apparently do not report because of having no confidence that action will be taken. There have however been a few successful convictions in cases similar to mine, even where there was no independent witness.

I would be interested in hearing the experience of other guide dog owners and their families.

Hope you are keeping up with this Cannock Taxi saga?

Flora needs your help to search for the truth

Having returned home, I contacted Guide Dogs for advice and subsequently the local council, Cannock Chase, who licence the taxis on the rank. I then had a number of contacts and meetings with the licensing officers and received indications that they were not happy with the first driver’s effective refusal to carry me with their guide dog. I made statements at their request and I understand that the second driver also made a statement supporting me. I was informed that the first driver, who was denying any knowledge of the incident, was being taken to court by the Council and I was notified of an initial court date. However, the Council then seemed to change their mind and decided not to pursue this. I am told that this decision was taken on legal advice because a successful conviction was not guaranteed and because the Council had not taken a case like this to Court before. 

TO BE CONTINUED!

Flora needs your HELP please

Flora needs your HELP !

I did not question this but went to the next taxi in the queue. As I got into this taxi with my guide dog, this driver informed me that, when he saw me approach the taxi in front of him, he had not been surprised that the first driver had refused my fare as he said that he knew that the driver did not like dogs. The first driver then came alongside the car on the driver’s side and repeated that he had a fare booked. After the first driver walked away, my driver commented  that, if that were the case, he should not have been on the rank.  As the taxi I was in pulled away, the first taxi was still on the rank.

I asked my driver for the plate number of the first taxi and he made a note of this for me , also giving me his own number.

TO BE CONTINUED

Carol & Flora denied a Taxi CannockTaxi (Staffordshire England)

I am severely visually impaired and require the assistance of my guide dog Floraor other mobility aid in order to make journeys independently. Through this blog, I would be grateful if I could share my experience twelve months ago and its consequence, particularly to warn other guide dog users.

On 19^th December 2014 , I had been in Cannock (Staffordshire England) and needed to get  home to Burntwood after work. I approached the Cannock taxi rank from High Green with my guide dog and spoke to the driver of the first available  taxi. I asked if I could have a taxi and the driver informed me that he was waiting for a pre booked fare and was therefore unable to take me. I was surprised that he said this as he was on the rank.

Flora Dressed for Work

TO BE CONTINUED!!

If I had my time over again, I would still join St Jon Ambulance

I am here with my Burntwood youth team 2011

Being awarded my Serving Sister 2014 at St John, Chapel London.

SJA Everyday Heroes Volunteer of the Year 2014

Being nominated volunteer of the year was truly amazing that I was chosen to

represent the aims and aspiration of the organisation the evening was electrifying

and the two other finalists within the volunteering section would truly amazing

they both came up and congratulated me and as I was leaving the one young

man came in through his arms around me and gave me the biggest hug and this

moment will last a lifetime.

But One of the proudest moments that I have ever had was when three of my cadets

were coming to a meeting and they stayed and assisted to RTC where they gave first

aid treatments to a gentleman they assisted in getting him onto the air ambulance

helicopter and were given and a commendation by the Staffordshire ambulance

service and were then invited down to London to receive an award. The gentleman

who the three cadets treated came into a service at Chasetown Methodist church to

thank them personally for their bravery and prompt action that saved his life.

In the new year you can make the difference by learning something new.  Being part of

SJA can be so rewarding and for filingl, but remember it takes courage and a steely

determination to commit to this fantastic organisation.

Memorable moments from my time volunteering with St John Ambulance

This is always a difficult question to answer because everything is memorable within St John for me such as covering public first aid events,  entering First aid competitions as a Cadet and also as adult.  Acting as casualty for the Schools first aid competitions and within unit meeting nights.  Taking over the Cadet and Badge unit and building this up. Getting the adult unit restated and building up to nearly a 100 volunteers. Seeing some of the volunteers gain college and or university places and also paid employment.  Going out and giving talks to different groups and organisations about how learning First aid skills can and does make the difference and why it is important for all ages to learn lifesaving skills.

Who has inspired me the most in my role?

Say it with folwers
Burntwood Fellowship entered Burntwood in Bloom competions

The person who has inspired me the most within the organisation's is Margret Coomby I first met Margaret in 1990 when I joined the Sedgley unit.

The first meeting was as if I had known Margret all my life, she was warm and welcoming and introduce me to all her volunteers. I found that Margret had built up the Sedgley unit along with John Kelly to one of the largest volunteer units in the West Midlands.  Whatever Margret asked of every volunteer they were always willing to help her, this shows what a warm kind, generous and hardworking unit manager she was. Margret never got any of her volunteers to undertake any duty that she was not prepared to take herselfe, she was always the first, but always the last to leave a duty.  Every volunteer were given personal challenges to grow within the organisation.  

When I moved back to Burntwood and took on the Burntwood Cadets and Badger unit,  I wanted to run the unit as Margret ran the Sedgley unit that was to be friendly non-clicky and for every volunteer to respect one another and have pride in their own abilities. Thank you Margret for your inspiration and kindness and your very high standers.

Volunteer of the Year 2014

There is always something to strive for in life no matter what life throws at you

What do I find the most challenging aspect of my role?

On our way home

There are two main challenges; one comes from how I have to travel to meetings With all my equipment and my guide dog Flora I look like a manic hiker with my Rucksack and computer bag (I am now fitter and stronger than I have been in Such a long time)

The second challenge is; I have overcome a problem when delivering training by

Asking different volunteers to read from the Powerpoint presentation and I have

found that this keeps everyone alert.

These challenges have made me a much stronger person and prepared to have to have a go and not be afraid to ask for help.  I feel that volunteering in whatever form is a way of giving something back to the community but it has strengthened my own belief that I still have a lot to offer and I can do anything I put my mind to.

What do I enjoy about my role within St John Ambulance

SJA Fellowship Coffee morning Fund raising event

Being part of the SJA training team and that my role also helps volunteers develop within the organisation and gives them the opportunity to take on new roles within the organisation.  Also has part of this high level of training  is life changing.  The  first aid skills can be used at home, work or during leisure activities.  

The role of District Training Officer always with my guide dog Flora by my side,

Carol with her faithful and trusted guide dog 

Flora who is always on duty

The role of DTO has given me the opportunity to oversee all the units within my area to maintain standards and training for all volunteers. Alongside DTO  I have also continued to be a trainer, this in itself means that I can still take an active role within the units and that other volunteers can see that having any disability is not a barrier within the organisation.

Since taking on the role of the DTO has given me a much deeper involvement within the educational training programme.  I now have to be more involved at district and regional meetings. I link between the unit managers, area managers and the regional training team. The role of the DTO has given me the opportunity to oversee all the training requirements within my area to maintain training for all volunteers of all ages.

On taking on the DTO role it has kept me abreast of all new changes within the training programme and has not in any way stopped me from continuing as a trainer delivering a variety of modules to all age groups within the organisation. I would recommend taking on any new challenge whether it be in the educational team or providing first aid cover. I have also been invited onto the newly formed Learning forum, NHQ London, so watch this space.

Here are just a few reasons why I remain involved with St John Ambulance along with my guide dog Flora

Carol with Tess Daly for Volunteer of the Year, SJA

Since joining St John Ambulance in 1968 as a Cadet, I have provided hundreds of hours of first aid cover enter first aid and nursing competitions, helping out with school competitions and, having, taken over a struggling Badger and Cadet unit in 2000, relaunched Burntwood’s adult unit in 2008, building the total unit up to nearly 100 volunteers at its peak.

Despite suffering a serious loss of vision in early 2012, which means I now requires the assistance of my guide dog, Flora, and having to change my role, I have continued in my effort to ensure that more people know first aid. I have since taken on the role of District Training Officer (DTO) for the County of Staffordshire, and continue as a trainer, assists with the youth when requested and also a member of the Tamworth SJA Fellowship branch.

Back in 2012 my role as unit manager due to the circumstances had to change and I offered to become a DTO in Staffordshire.

About Carol and Flora

I am severely visually impaired (blind) and require the assistance of my guide dog or other mobility aid in order to make journeys independently. I have currently only 20% vision, to which I lost the greater part of my sight in early 2012. 

Despite being registered visually impaired (VIP) I still maintain and run my own business. In my spare time I undertake voluntary work for St John Ambulance in the role of District Training Officer in Staffordshire. I also go out to local schools and groups to give talks on Guide Dogs to help raise awareness for the organisation. 

In 2013 I wanted a challenge so I created along with my husband and daughter a self-help group, Burntwood Insight Group, to help other people in the local area with visual impairment. We have grown in size with a variety of ages and eye conditions to come together once a month to have a cup of tea and socialise. 

Whilst all of this had happened I received my first guide dog, Flora, following my assessment through Guide Dogs. Flora has given me such freedom and independence to carry on my everyday life from travelling down to London to even popping to the local supermarket. However, along this eventual journey I continually share with Flora the road of ups and downs has set different challenges. 

Through this blog I wish to share my journey with you all through the eyes of Flora and I.