Broads Based Activity For East Of England Ambulance Staff

socrates · December 12, 2022

Members might be interested in a relatively new much Broads based charity which is currently being launched. Circus Head is a not for profit charity providing much needed mental health support for frontline ambulance staff. A large part of this is giving ambulance staff an opportunity to experience the benefits of being on a boat on the Broads.

Last year several boat owners have taken part in trial cruises with members of East of England Ambulance Service, this has proved popular with both boat owners and Ambulance staff. Several members of this forum have been involved, and met Circus Head staff at Beccles, and on the river. Whilst the directors of Circus Head are current or previous paramedics, my wife is also a director and provides qualified counselling support/advice if needed. I head up what we call the Ithaka Project, this is a more in-depth aspect of Circus Head which involves slightly longer and as such more a immersive Broads boating experience. Those of you of a more literary bent will know the significance of C.P. Cavafy's poem "Ithaka" and how it might resonate with anyone who has suffered from PTSD etc. At the moment Broadland Grebe is used for this aspect of Circus Head, and we will not ask other boat owners to be involved in providing specialist support when it is needed.

No two Circus Head cruises are the same. However, it usually involves a boat owner taking a small group (2-4) Ambulance staff on a short cruise on the Broads to simply experience the beauty and relaxing atmosphere which we all enjoy. Cruises can last a few hours or a whole day, it is up to the owner to decide what they can offer. Each cruise also incudes a member of Circus Head staff who will provide any necessary support to those frontline Ambulance staff on your boat. During the next few months all Circus Head Staff will have appropriate RYA training and qualification provided by a well-known Broads training provided, whose support we are very grateful for. Several Broads businesses are now involved in the project and it is gathering momentum, which is why the NBN management team were approached about the project.

Each year there are unfortunate incidents on the Broads which require the attendance of East of England Ambulance service, I am sure some of you reading this may have required their services, or know someone who has. This is an opportunity for us all to give something back to these staff. As the project progresses, our Circus Head team of qualified and experienced paramedics will be able to provide boaters with nationally certified First Aid training. If you feel you can help Circus Head, or require any further information visit the website where you can contact us. In the meantime, I will answer any questions if I can. Likewise, if any forum members who have been involved in the project want to add anything about their experience please comment.

https://circushead.co.uk/

BroadAmbition · December 12, 2022

A very worthy and admirable cause imho.

I have volunteered mysen and Broad Ambition to be part of the 'Ithaka' project (I'll now have to look that one up :default_blush: )

There are a few other forumites who have also come forward and offered their services / boats too :default_beerchug:

Nice one Neil / Cincnavhome and Circus head :default_icon_bowdown:

Griff

socrates · December 12, 2022

I know how much the owners of those boats who already involved have enjoyed their trips with Circus Head. It is easy to underestimate the amount of pleasure and fun these trips have been. Thanks, Charlie.

ExSurveyor · December 12, 2022

NBN are delighted to help with publicity for this very worthwhile cause.

Good luck and thank you to all those involved in setting it up and a big thank you to those who will benefit from it.

FairTmiddlin · December 12, 2022

Neil a very worthy cause indeed.

And a way of the boating fraternity to give something back, to the people on the front line of Broads services.

Gracie · December 13, 2022

On a couple of occasions we've had to call an ambulance for my dad (apologies not on the Broads) the crew have been kind, caring and totally efficient not only to the patient but my mum too. The things they deal with and witness must take a heavy toll on their mental health. It takes a special kind of someone to do what they do

Being afloat is one of the most calming, relaxing things there is so well done to all those involved and to the boat owners allowing it to happen

BroadAmbition · January 16

So yesterday morning we got to welcome onboard directors of Circus Head and discuss the way ahead, what they expect from me and 'B.A' and what we can offer them and how to go about it all in general. It was a fruitful meeting and I am confident we can meet their requirements and what they want to offer their colleagues. They have requested more photo's and written information of 'B.A' so they can update the circus head website. I'll get onto this in due course.

(I'm the good looking one on the left that needs a haircut)

Griff

MauriceMynah · January 16

We're you ticked off for linier mooring on a stern on only mooring?

BroadAmbition · January 16

Place was nearly deserted. There was a yacht alongside and a rather sad unloved looking Bourne 35 on the taxi rank, other than those two craft no one around to tick us off and we were only there for about fifteen mins max

Griff

NeilB · January 16

I too had a nice chat with Rob yesterday afternoon, no boat trip or photos yet as Rambling Rosie is still tucked up in Sutton Staithes shed but Rob is popping back in a few weeks.

BroadAmbition · July 17

Eastwood Whelpton

We are very excited about our August coffee morning! ☕☕☕

We will be teaming up with Circus Head - an amazing non-profit organisation that supports the mental health and wellbeing of frontline ambulance workers.

Circus Head will be providing free emergency first aid demonstrations. Please bring the family along and get involved.

We promise that delicious coffee and cake will also be on offer! Thursday 3rd August 10-11am.