BRINGING someone back from the brink of death and keeping people calm in the midst of chaos: it is all in a day's (or night's) work for this team of lifesavers.

Employees and volunteers at South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) plugged their profession to potential colleagues at recruitment day.

More than 180 people visited the ambulance trust's Bicester base on Saturday.

Speaking to the Oxford Mail at the event, Jody Smith said her role involved 'creating calm in chaos'.

The paramedic team leader said: "Every day is different.

"There is nothing like the heartfelt 'thank you' you get when you've been there for somebody at their worst point and made it better."

Among recent incidents she oversaw was the Gibbs Crescent explosion on Valentine's Day, and the foggy M40 coach crash in 2016.

The Witney resident said: "It can really tug at your heartstrings but there is a good support network.

"I don't think you ever get used to it - the day it stops affecting you is the day you shouldn't be doing it."

Noting a need for new recruits, she added: "We are overstretched. The population is growing and we are struggling to keep up. "

Louise Murray, clinical lead of the 999 call handlers, said they need 'a lot more' clinicians and call takers.

Philip Astle, chief operating officer of the NHS trust, said they recruit 1,000 people every year to meet demand.

He said: "If you have got a caring bone in your body, we can find something for you.

"There is a huge variety of roles but everybody has that one similar trait: they are there to save people's lives."

David Hamer is responsible for SCAS teams such as community first responders, who are often first on scene.

The Didcot resident said: "It can be really empowering for the volunteers, that sense of great self-worth.

"They do a fantastic job."

He has just taken on an operations manager role, but joined in 2006 as a paramedic.

He said some jobs stuck 'vividly' in his memory, but he has 'learned to cope'.

One was a motorbike fatality, after which the deceased man's parents tracked Mr Hamer down to personally deliver a thank-you card.

Last year a recruitment day at the Talisman Road base brought in 80 new staff members, and 74 are still in post.

Emma Prior became a 111 call handler after visiting the recruitment day in 2016.

She said: "It's a pressured job but you get a buzz knowing you've helped someone."

Among other jobs are ensuring vehicles are ready for the road, which Gillian Ambridge, an operations team leader, is tasked with.

She said: "Anybody who works for the ambulance has to do it because they care."

Her colleague Ellie Watkinson said the team was 'like family', adding: "I find it very rewarding - you're making a difference."

For more visit scas.nhs.uk