WORKING as a paramedic you see every aspect of human life: the highs of helping deliver a baby to the lows of losing someone and comforting their family.

Nub News spoke to Maria Brown, an emergency service technician at Cowbridge Ambulance Station to find out what it's been like working through the pandemic.

Maria started working for the ambulance service in Cowbridge five and a half years ago, after volunteering as a first responder.

"I've never had a day where I didn't want to go to work," said Maria.

"We're always busy anyway, you either take someone to hospital or medicate them at home and then it's on to the next job.

"But it has been really busy during the pandemic; it has been hard.

"I actually moved out, to protect my husband and four children, and lived in a flat for three months. I was just so worried, but that's the risk I take working on the front line.

"The thought of bringing it back and infecting my family was heart-breaking.

"I'm back home now, and after every shift we strip our uniform and shower to protect our families," she said.

Normally Cowbridge Ambulance Station would cover areas around the Vale and Cardiff, but throughout the pandemic they go wherever they are called.

Last night, Maria was in Merthyr and she has also been called to Cwmbran and Newport.

"It's demanding, physically, mentally, and emotionally but there's no job like it and I'm really proud to be doing it," said Maria.

"We do feel the emotions of it, but you pick up and keep going, just like everyone else is doing right now.

"You have a banter with your crewmates, you offload, and you put your uniform on the next day because you want to help people and make a difference.

"We might clear from a job where we're dealing with cardiac arrest and they don't make it, and then we go to someone in labour after that.

"You go from one family whose life has just ended in that moment because their whole world has stopped, to one where they're celebrating a new baby.

"It's highs and lows, an emotional rollercoaster within an 11-hour shift.

Maria says that the donations of biscuits and chocolate they've been given make a huge difference.

"When Covid hit, people started donating food, which was like a lovely treat every week. Little things like that cheer us up.

"It's unexpected, thoughtful and kind that someone has taken the time to shop for us, and spend their money which is hard-earned at the moment.

"It really does make a huge different. It's finding the balance, we don't want people to think they have to buy things for us, even just posting little pictures through the door means so much to us.

"It's been heart-breaking to see some of the patients. You just want to help everyone. That's why something as small as a biscuit is so uplifting," she said.