Taxi Charity Ambassador

Steve Rouse was born in Walthamstow, East London, moving to Chingford when he was 17, at around the time he became a police cadet. He met his future wife Theresa when he was 22 (at a 999 disco!) and they married in 1977, settled in Chingford, and raised their family. More recently Steve and Theresa moved to Theydon Bois in Essex.

Steve served in the Met. Police for 31 years. Initially posted to the West End in 1972, he later did a short spell with the Diplomatic Protection Group before joining The Mounted Branch in 1977. The greater part of his service was spent as the Mounted Sergeant at Great Scotland Yard, where he took a particular interest in the many ceremonial events, liaising and training with the Household Cavalry, the Foot Guards and the Royal Mews on matters of security and safety.

During this time, he trained and qualified as a Close Protection Officer, where he had the privilege of providing close protection to senior members of the royal family on many ceremonial events and parades. 

On retiring from the Met Police, Steve worked, for a short time, as a support worker for young people in secure and non-secure environments, police stations, courts and residential settings. Whilst employed with the care company, he was asked if he would consider working for an ambulance service. He happily took up this offer and began working in this new role, qualifying as an Emergency Medical Technician in 2009.

Steve is a volunteer with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and cares for several CWGC graves and headstones in Chingford Cemetery. 

He is also a Road Safety Advisor for the British Horse Society and is involved in the educating of drivers and riders in the Epping Forest area.

Steve says the following of the Taxi Charity:

“In May 2019, Dick Goodwin asked if we would be willing to join a planned trip to the Netherlands, as 'First Aiders'. Our driver was Peter Carey and we were fortunate to spend the week sharing transport with the wonderful WWII veteran Ron Johnson and his daughter, Valerie. That week was, to me, like a real-life history lesson, taught by the most qualified tutor in the world.

Whilst being part of the medical team has always been my primary role, I have been fortunate to have been asked to be a 'companion' on two occasions. In 2019, I was companion to WWII veteran Raymond Whitwell and on the recent D-Day 80 trip, to Bill Lawson. Both amazing characters with a wicked sense of humour. We shared many laughs and a few tears too.

For me, the most enjoyable part of the trips is meeting the veterans once more, hearing their stories, their jokes and just finding out more about them. If we can make the trip more enjoyable for them by offering our support or medical care, that is very rewarding. Most times, the smiles on their faces make it all worthwhile!

The drivers are also very special people and it has been a joy to meet and become friends with so many of them."