I’m Dawn (that’s me in the striped dress—turns out I have zero photos of myself, so my eldest took this, and I think she’s done a pretty good job!). I’m a mum to two little girls (the photo above is my eldest, a mini me, teaching her cousin CPR!), wife, paramedic, and now, author of the children’s book series Panda Paramedic.
As a paramedic, I see firsthand every day how vital first aid knowledge is during a medical emergency. Yet, time and time again, I encounter people with little or no understanding of even the most basic first aid. I believe everyone should have the confidence and skills to act in an emergency, and who better to start with than our next generation of little lifesavers?
That’s why I created Panda Paramedic, a fun and educational children’s book series. Think of it as a blend of Peppa Pig and Fireman Sam, but with a panda paramedic as the hero! Inspired by my youngest’s love for pandas, the books feature engaging stories and practical first aid lessons to empower children (and their grown-ups) with basic lifesaving skills. The talented Hannah Robinson illustrates the books (as my skills most definitely do not extend that far!).
Alongside the books I provide basic first aid workshops for children in Primary Schools. These hands-on workshops are designed to teach young learners essential skills in a fun, age-appropriate way. The workshops are themed around the Panda Paramedic books, and children can progress through the various workshops to acheive their Bronze, Silver and Gold awards in basic first aid.
For adults, I offer paediatric first aid courses that are OFSTED-compliant, along with tailored face-to-face first aid, resuscitation, and medical emergency training sessions. Whether you’re fulfilling a mandatory requirement for your role or simply want to learn, I make these sessions interactive, informative, and always delivered in a friendly and fun manner.
Thanks for supporting our mission at Panda Paramedic!
Dawn
But when I started working with her regularly, things changed. She didn’t have to repeat herself or wonder if I’d remember what time she liked her breakfast. The little things, like her preference for Earl Grey with a dash of milk or her habit of reading a chapter of her favorite book after lunch, became natural parts of our routine. We built trust, and over time, that consistency made a huge difference to her well-being.
The beauty of providing care this way is that it feels less like running through a checklist and more like creating a rhythm that works for the person in front of me. With the continuity of care that my work buddy and I provide, we’re not just attending to immediate needs — we’re creating a space where our clients feel seen, heard, and understood. And isn’t that what care should be?
So, if you’re thinking about what makes self-employed care so unique, remember this: it’s not just about doing a job. It’s about building relationships that enhance lives. And the consistency of knowing it’s always us — me or my buddy — is what allows us to do just that.
Join the movement of carers who know that true care is more than just tasks — it’s about connection.
