Meet Mat

RUGBY LEAGUE INSPIRED A NEW CAREER IN THE AMBULANCE SERVICE.

Mat Lofthouse began his apprenticeship with NWAS in 2021. Before that, he was a teacher, but it was an interest in rugby that helped him take the step towards a new future.

He joined a men’s mental fitness programme called Offload based at his local Super League club, Warrington Wolves, after pressures at work and home got too much. It allowed him to take stock of life and make the brave decision to leave teaching and pursue a career in the ambulance service.

“I was a teacher for 26 years. I was working very long hours under a lot of stress and pressure, and that, linked with having to deal with a family member’s health issues, meant that life was becoming very difficult, and I began to suffer from anxiety and depression.

“I saw the advert for the Offload programme through my GP. After playing rugby union for 30 years, it felt like a less daunting opportunity for me to seek help. It took me a while to summon up the courage to go, but it was one of the best things I could have done.”

Offload is an initiative run by the Warrington Wolves Foundation. Men meet and talk with current and former professional players to learn techniques to manage their own mental and physical health.

Mat adds: “Offload was instrumental to me clarifying things and understanding that the main cause of my mental health issues was situational and in my control. After talking with my family, we decided that a career change would be beneficial to my health. So, after some inquiries, and even though I was 46 at the time, I applied to train as an emergency medical technician at NWAS.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time in the service so far, and I’ve found I’ve used a considerable number of transferable skills from my time as a teacher. I’m already working toward growing my clinical skills and becoming a fully trained paramedic.”