Member Article

New national ambulance charity to exhibit at The Emergency Services Show

Emergency services staff are being urged to find out more about joining and becoming a supporter of TASC, The Ambulance Services Charity, during a major UK industry show this month.

TASC is to have a stand, numbered Z111, at the prestigious Emergency Services Show which is taking place at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC), in Birmingham, on Wednesday 23 September and Thursday 24 September.

The two-day event is regarded as ‘the show’ for emergency responders and staff, with the opportunity for visitors to discover new equipment and gain new skills.

TASC will be exhibiting at the Emergency Services Show to further promote its role in providing vital advice and much needed support to serving and retired ambulance personnel and their families and dependents in times of difficulty, bereavement and urgent need.

The charity’s stand will be featured in Hall 18 within the Emergency Response Zone, which offers visitors the chance to meet agencies and voluntary groups who can offer assistance to the emergency services.

It is aimed at developing relationships and partnerships between voluntary organisations and the blue-light services, with around 80 companies, charities and other organisations exhibiting in this area.

The Emergency Services Show takes place across Halls 17 and 18 at the NEC, with more than 400 exhibitors taking part.

The TASC stand will include literature and leaflets about the charity’s work as well as application forms for supporters to sign up. The fee for becoming a TASC supporter is from as little as £4 a month.

Lorna Birse-Stewart, Chief Executive of TASC, said: “We are delighted to be among the exhibitors at the Emergency Services Show and would urge visitors to come and visit us and find out about joining and becoming a supporter of the charity.

“This is the first time in the 70 years of the service that the ambulance services community has had its own UK-wide charity and from our discussions with paramedics, call centre staff and ambulance services we are providing a much-needed service.

“We have already set up our free confidential support line to offer welfare, bereavement and debt advice as well as providing help and advice with access to rehabilitation services, mental health services and counselling including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and bereavement support.

“We now want to continue our efforts to identify and recruit potential members and supporters of TASC, and having a presence at the Emergency Services Show should be of great assistance in helping to achieve this.”

The Emergency Services Show, which also includes a range of free seminars, is open on Wednesday 23 September from 9am to 5.30pm and Thursday 24 September from 9am to 4pm.

As an industry-only event it is not open to the general public. Visitor entry and parking are free of charge.

For more details and information about TASC visit www.theASC.org.uk, or telephone 02477 987 922. The Support Line number is 0800 1032 999.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Matt Joyce .