CommunityAd sat down with Medway based author Tim Parsons where we talked about his children’s book series – Paramedic Chris.
The Paramedic Chris series are based upon Tim’s experiences as part of his work with the ambulance service and are aimed at educating children aged between four and ten years of age upon the works of the ambulance service.
With the current global crisis, there is no better time to be educating upon the brilliant work of the ambulance service and the NHS.
For readers who may not be aware, can you give us a brief description of your book series Paramedic Chris?
The Paramedic Chris children’s book series are based upon calls which I attended when I served as chaplain to South East Coast Ambulance (SECAmb) service and are aimed at educating children aged between four and ten years of age upon the works of the ambulance service. I recently left my position as chaplain to SECAmb so that I can concentrate more on the books and my family. My ultimate aim is to one day open a retreat centre for mental health.
How many of your own experiences working as a chaplain are relatable to the series and how difficult has the past 18 months been working for SECAmb?
I served as chaplain to SECAmb for six years and have done a number of many third manning shifts with various ambulance crews. During the past 18 months I have supported a number of crews particularly by being a listening ear and providing refreshments for welfare shifts. During the peak of the crisis I was able to help with the welfare vehicle which went around various hospitals giving refreshments to ambulance crews.
As well as educating children through your series, you are also raising money for charities. How important is it for you to raise money for these charities and also sell enough copies that you can support mental health?
Having suffered a breakdown myself when my Dad passed away in 2019 and resigning from a job I was in at the time nearly causing me and my family to become homeless, it is my determination to educate upon mental health and see better support in place. My own observations not only from my own experience but as chaplain to the ambulance service has been that there is still a stigma with mental health and we need to do more to support one another within our communities.
If you had to pick a favourite episode of the series, which one would it be and why?
Episode two (A Helping Hand) is my favourite as it runs hand in hand with the past 18 months. Although I wrote the book before COVID, I based it upon a call to a gentleman suffering from loneliness following the death of his wife. This was based upon a call I attended one Christmas day to an elderly patient who was all alone.
Are there any future books in the pipeline that you are working on?
I have future episodes planned and would love to see the series in animation. I have started weekly readings each Sunday at 7pm and further details can be found at my website.
Away from writing, what are your hobbies and interests?
I love spending time with my young family, classic cars, playing my guitar, preaching at different churches, football, computers, helping the local foodbank by doing deliveries when they need me and meals out.
What do you enjoy most about living in Medway?
I have lived in Medway since 2007 and having lived in a number of places growing up (Dad was a Baptist minister) I can say that it is very busy in the South East but within that business I have found a lot can be achieved. I love the diversity and particularly like Rochester.