During Black History Month we dig deeper, look closer and think bigger as we hear from Chika Chigozie, a community ambassador volunteer at the North East Ambulance Service and Joe Crook, AACE strategic volunteering lead about the power of communities and the importance of breaking down barriers to representation.
Chika Chigozie: “Black History Month provides an important opportunity for me to reflect on the achievements, contributions and rich heritage of Black individuals and communities, while also considering the role we each play in promoting equality, diversity and inclusion.
As a volunteer with the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS), I have had the privilege of supporting the Positive Action Project through a range of community-focused activities. These have included helping to deliver NEAS lifesaving skills workshops within cultural and religious communities, participating in recruitment events, and attending community celebrations such as the Tees-wide Ukraine Celebration Day. Through these experiences, I have met people from many different backgrounds, listened to their stories, and gained a deeper appreciation of the importance of building trust and strong relationships within our communities.
One of the most rewarding aspects of my volunteering has been the opportunity to help raise awareness of the services NEAS provides, including 999, 111 and Patient Transport Services. I have seen how sharing information can empower individuals to make informed decisions about their healthcare and better understand how to access the right support when they need it. It has been particularly fulfilling to encourage people to explore volunteering and career opportunities within NEAS, helping to make these pathways accessible to a wider range of communities.
A highlight of my volunteering journey was receiving the “2 Years Service Community Ambassador” Volunteer Award at Kingston Park, Newcastle upon Tyne, in June 2026. Receiving this recognition was both humbling and inspiring. It gave me an opportunity to reflect on the positive impact that community engagement can have and reinforced my commitment to continuing this work. The award symbolised not only my personal contribution but also the value of partnership, inclusion and service to others.
For me, Black History Month is about more than celebrating the past. It is a time to reflect on how far we have come, recognise the challenges that still exist, and consider how we can contribute to creating a more inclusive future. My experiences with the Positive Action Project have shown me the importance of representation, community engagement and breaking down barriers. They have strengthened my belief that everyone should feel valued, respected and included, regardless of their background.
I am proud to support NEAS’s commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and grateful for the opportunity to contribute to work that helps make healthcare information, services and opportunities more accessible to all. Through volunteering, I have learned that even small actions can make a meaningful difference, and I remain committed to helping build stronger, healthier and more connected communities.”
Joe Crook: “Volunteers act as an important bridge between ambulance services and the communities that we serve. That is why it is so important that volunteers are drawn from those communities. Currently, people from ethnic minority backgrounds are underrepresented in the ambulance volunteering population.
However, there are success stories which we are hoping to learn from and scale up over the coming years. This includes the Positive Action Project at NEAS, as highlighted by Chika. This project demonstrates how empowering diverse communities in the northeast is helping to raise awareness around what to do in an emergency, how to access ambulance services, and how to lead healthier lifestyles.”
For more information about the positive action project in North East Ambulance Service, please contact loveness.scott@neas.nhs.uk
For more information about #AmbulanceVolunteering please contact joe.crook@aace.org.uk
