Theresea Rouse was born and went to school in Chiswick, West London. When she got married in 1977 to Steve they moved to Chingford where they lived for 30 years. They now live in Theydon Bois in Essex - a traditional village, surrounded by Epping Forest, with a great community, which is also on the Central Line! 

 

Before retirement, Theresa was a Registered General Nurse for all of her 35 year career. She trained and worked at Westminster Hospital, then after marrying, worked at North Middlesex Hospital on a cardio thoracic ward.

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After a break having a family, she returned to nursing at her local hospital on care of the elderly and young disabled wards.

For the last 10 years of her career, she worked on a Palliative Care Unit as a Senior Staff nurse which although was tough, was also incredibly rewarding.

 

For several years after retirement from nursing, Theresa worked as a First Aid at Work Assessor for an Ambulance service.

 

Theresa said, “We have two grown up children and six grandchildren who fill our lives with great joy and keep me pretty busy! I try to keep fit by going to Pilates classes and luckily love walking, especially in the forest. Gardening is my great passion and a great way to unwind. I have also joined a local class to learn flower arranging. I love going to the theatre whenever possible and am also a member of a book club.

 

Theresa and Steve have been friends with Taxi Charity volunteers, Dick and Susy Goodwin, for many years and through them first heard about the work of the charity.

 

Theresa continued, "Due to the increasing ages and needs of some the veterans, Dick felt that the services of a first aid team on the trips would be a good idea and asked Steve and I if we would be interested in taking on this role. My first trip was in May 2019 where we shared a taxi to the Netherlands with WWII veteran Ron Johnson and his lovely daughter, Valerie."

 

"I have had wonderful experiences getting to know the veterans, their companions and, of course, our wonderful drivers on the trips. Hearing the veterans' amazing stories first hand, living history, has been such an education. The gratitude shown in the Netherlands and France to the veterans has been overwhelming at times."

 

“It was also a privilege to be able to assist not only when we had first aid situations to deal with, but with day-to-day health problems that tend to crop up on the trips and to be a listening ear. When it is known you have been a nurse people tend to confide in you. Once a nurse... always a nurse!”

 

“Having been on numerous trips now, it is a great privilege to be part of such a wonderful, diverse team. It really has become a family with the same values and commitment to making these trips possible. I feel proud to be involved and feel it has truly enriched my life."