"Fainting in Costa Coffee, Cheltenham"

I was stood in Costa Coffee during my lunch break on the second day of my work experience. I was waiting for to order my drink. Whilst in the queue, I started to feel a bit hot and light headed, so I took off my jacket hoping that the feeling would pass. I ordered my drink and didn't feel any better.

I have fainted before so knew the symptoms I was experiencing could lead to me collapsing. I saw the man making my drink and put the cream on it. Then I blacked out - I remember stumbling around and the next thing I knew I was on the floor with people all around me! The manager of Costa Coffee dialled 999 and I had lots of nice customers around me helping as it was about lunch time, so it was very busy inside! A lot of people witnessed me collapsing.

They helped me up and we waited for the ambulance to arrive. A young man and young woman arrived, and I was quite traumatised on the phone to my mum and asked the woman to speak to her. She was very helpful, reassuring my mum as I was on my own in town and there was nothing she could really do. I was taken to the back of the ambulance where I had my blood sugar, blood pressure, heart rate etc checked. They couldn't find anything that caused it and they recommended I saw my GP as soon as possible.

They were so lovely and made me feel so safe - I was very scared and shaken up, mostly because it happened when I was on my own. I was worried about getting back to work in time so they drove me to my work in the ambulance as I was still a bit fragile. They dropped me off after speaking to my mum on the phone again. Also, the man came in with me and explained to my boss what had happened. This was so kind as I was worried how to explain the situation as it is quite shocking and surprising to people you don't know very well!

They left soon after that, but I am so grateful for their help - mainly in making me feel safe and comfortable after a traumatic situation on my own.