Eliz MacIntosh represents SMR at Emergency Responders Health and Wellbeing Symposium
Eliz MacIntosh represents SMR at Emergency Responders Health and Wellbeing Symposium
08th April, 2026
Eliz MacIntosh (pictured – above left), a member of the Scottish Mountain Rescue (SMR) Wellbeing Team, presented at the Emergency Responders Health and Wellbeing Symposium in London on Monday 30th March. This is an annual event led by the Emergency Services Senior Leadership Board, comprising of key agencies working in and around emergency services. The Board was founded by the Prince of Wales through his Royal Foundation.
Image: Eliz presenting at the symposium
The focus this year was on the mental health and wellbeing of volunteers (often described as unpaid professionals) who give their time either on the frontline or in support roles within emergency response organisations. Thank you to Jon White – Wellbeing Officer at Mountain Rescue England and Wales – for organising the event.
The keynote address was be delivered by Gary Hayes, CEO and co-founder of PTSD999 (www.ptsd-999.com). This was followed by a joint presentation by Gill Moreton (The Rivers Centre for Traumatic Stress, NHS Lothian) and Laura McGladrey (Founder of Responder Alliance). Gill and Laura are shining lights in the area of responder wellbeing in Scotland and the USA respectively – both are passionate advocates and professionals with shared vision and drive to support those in high-risk roles.
Eliz presented on the package of support currently in place for SMR volunteers and families, covering our foundations of self-care and peer support based on the Lifelines Scotland model, and following through to the clinical Post Incident Support that we have in place for our volunteers. This highlighted the integrated stepped approach we have involving a number of key partners – Scottish Government, Police Scotland and the NHS (Rivers Centre). Her presentation was well received.
The audience included representatives from police, fire, ambulance and volunteer organisations from around the UK.
Images: Eliz presenting at the symposium above, and with Gill Moreton, Laura McGladrey and Jon White below.
