• Home > 
• Get Involved > 
• Volunteers' Week 2023 > 

Barry Coulson - ambulance car service driver

Ambulance car service driver and patient transport service dispatch officer, Barry Coulson, has worked for NEAS for 15 years and has volunteered with us since 2018.

After working for the service for a number of years, Barry took up volunteering for our ambulance car service as a way to learn more about the service and meet patients. He said: “I wanted to see the service from a different side. Seeing patient’s names on our screens means so much more now. I have met some of them and it has changed my outlook on my role in control.

“The best part of the role is seeing people, meeting them, and helping them out where I can. To me, it doesn’t matter if I’m moving or sitting waiting for a patient to finish their treatment; they’re the patient and that is who we are here for. Some are very vulnerable and often don’t have anyone to talk to, so having a good listening ear is quite important. Sometimes I transport patients to hospital for major surgeries like transplants; knowing I’m part of that journey to their lives changing forever, is an unbelievable pleasure.

On being recognised at our annual Volunteer Awards, Barry said: “I t feels so nice to be appreciated. If you’re thinking about volunteering with us, don’t wait around! You will always be needed and there’s never a dull moment.”