Red Cross first aiders are an ever ready presence at football matches. Their volunteers are always there to offer tea and support when there’s an emergency - like the July 7th bombings. One of the other services they offer is “therapeutic care”. 20 minutes of gentle back, neck and shoulder massage has proved very effective in relieving the stress of people who have had a stroke or cancer, and for carers of disabled children or parents.
Now, in the West Midlands, the service is being expanded to include asylum seekers. Caroline Swinburne visits a centre in Birmingham to meet Pat Smith from the Red Cross and see the service in action.
