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TSG Associates Story, May 2008

We are honoured to be supporting Gill Hicks and WALKTALK. Never before have we come across such a strong and inspirational person, taking such positive actions in response to personal adversity.

Gill’s story is unique, one of challenges and hope. Yet throughout her story, there are links to us: TSG is a dynamic company specialising in disaster response products. Originally based in Beeston we are now based in Halifax, West Yorks. We design and produce Smart Equipment™, used to help manage casualties at mass casualty incidents. One particularly significant piece of equipment is the Smart Triage Tag™. This is carried on both military and civilian Ambulances throughout the UK and helps paramedics determine who to treat first at the scene of a major incident. The levels of care are rated from Priority One - people who need immediate treatment and care to save their lives - as used on Gill Hicks during 7 July London bombings, to Priority Three - people who have no life threatening injuries. This first assessment, along with the many medical professionals who fought hard and went above and beyond their duty, helped to save Gill’s life.

Over the years we have worked with paramedics and operational managers from London Ambulance Service. Their feedback and knowledge of such incidents have helped TSG to develop and evolve their products to the standard they are today, and coincidentally, it was some of these individuals who treated Gill on the 7th July.

When dealing with mass casualty incidents, patients with life threatening injuries have to be treated within what is known as ‘The Golden Hour’ if they are to have the best possible chance of survival. Patients need to be moved from the scene of the incident and onto the operating table within an hour of the injury first occurring. In a mass casualty scene, it is difficult to know who needs to be treated first and manage resources to do so. The Smart Triage Tag™ uses a set criteria to determine which casualties need immediate attention and which do not. This in turn allows resources to be managed accordingly and ultimately helps produce maximum survivors.

‘We are proud that our equipment helps to save lives,’ says Colin Smart, TSG Director. ‘Meeting Gill, I found her story incredible, and was surprised at how closely linked it is with us. Our equipment helped to save her life, we know the paramedic who treated Gill. We will continue to develop products and services to protect and treat people involved in multiple casualty incidents.'

Zulfi's Story - Leeds April 2008

I arrived in England aged 11 with no formal primary education and unable to speak a word of English. At the age of 15 I suffered from facial paralysis which I successfully overcame. My determination to succeed in my personal life and to share my knowledge and experience to help others succeed is integral to my being.

The idea of what it was and how it could be developed appealed instantly and I felt I could help contribute to the initiative on many levels. By engaging my networks and colleagues from Global Promise and the Asian Business Development Network, we have already received a resoundingly warm reception and already secured the support of many individuals and their businesses, not only in Yorkshire but other parts of the country too.

My contribution to this bold initiative is having written and sponsored a book of poems which is my interpretation of what we are trying to achieve. All proceeds will be going to organise and promote WALKTALK further. For details on how to purchase this and for you to share in our initiative please go to www.globalpromise.org.uk

Together 4 Peace Story, Leeds April 2008

When we first heard about WALKTALK we were really inspired by Joe’s idea. It seemed like such a fit with our principles. Namely, our belief that above all else, effective social and community change relies upon building relationships, ‘conversation’ and collaboration amongst different people – especially when it’s challenging to do so. And when we met Gill, we immediately felt that she embodied so much of all that vision – and everyone we introduced her to seemed to pick up the same ‘vibe’. We were particularly aware though that we couldn’t take this initiative forward without the strong support of the Muslim community in Beeston, and indeed the Beeston community as a whole - from whom we've been really encouraged to receive such strong backing. All the way along, we’ve been repeatedly inspired and humbled by the depth of good will and energy that this initiative has generated, very spontaneously. A remarkable partnership of people has come together to make it happen, and we’re now really confident that WALKTALK can make a real, substantial difference.

Perhaps the most remarkable element of WALKTALK so far has been seeing the amazingly diverse partnership of people come forward to make it happen: from local communities, the business world, different faith communities, councillors and other members of government