Four years ago, Beverley Wolfe from Scunthorpe was faced with her job coming to an end and she wasn’t sure of where to go next.
But after years of eyeing up 999 call handler vacancies on jobs websites, Beverley finally seized the opportunity to train for her dream job as a 999 call handler.
Fast forward to 2021 and Beverley is a firm fixture in the Bracebridge Heath control room, near Lincoln, answering emergency calls from patients across the East Midlands.
For Beverley, making the jump from NHS referrals to 999 calls was an easy transition.
She said: “At the time of applying for the role of a 999 call handler, I was working in an NHS contact centre helping with referrals across the area.
“During my time at the contact centre, I often saw roles for 999 call handlers being advertised and I knew my experience of already working in a similar environment within the NHS might just help. The more I thought about it, the more I realised it was something I was really interested in and wanted to do, so I went for it.
“What I didn’t know is how rewarding and enjoyable that job would be and four and a half years in, I can still safely say that I love my job.
“I always describe the feeling of helping someone like a spark inside of you when you know you have made a difference to someone’s life.”
Beverley explained that as with any job, there are occasionally frustrating moments as a 999 call handler where you are unable to help people as much as you would like to, but added that those moments are outweighed by times where you feel rewarded for what you do. She said: “As call handlers, we are lucky to have such great support across the green family. From managers and the training team to our close colleagues who we work alongside every day. We all understand each other and can offer support in a variety of different ways which makes such a difference especially when you have had a bad shift.
“My advice to anyone looking to join is to go for it, but to also make sure you know the realities of the job. It is challenging and sometimes can be hard given the situations you deal with, but it is one of the most rewarding jobs you can do. At the end of the day you are doing the job for a reason and that is to help people which is just fantastic.”
Want to be a hero in a headset? Apply now here
Please remember as we head into our busiest time of year that Beverley and her colleagues in both our Bracebridge and Nottingham control rooms are working tirelessly to get ambulances to those patients who need them most.
If you're not feeling well, but it's not an emergency, you can help your NHS by using alternative NHS services near you or visiting NHS111 online