Paramedic's £60k Ice Cream Van Side Hustle Eases NHS Stress
A paramedic has revealed how he turned to selling ice cream during the pandemic to relieve the immense stress of his day job, with his side hustle now generating an impressive £60,000 per year. James Shemmeld, a 46-year-old father of four from Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, operates four ice cream vans alongside his private ambulance and paramedic service, which he runs from his home.
From Pandemic Trauma to Sweet Relief
James began his career as a paramedic with the West Midlands Ambulance Service in 2013, later launching his private medical business in 2015. During the height of the Covid-19 crisis in 2020, his team was contracted to visit patients infected with the virus to provide critical advice and assessments. The emotional toll was devastating, as many patients tragically passed away shortly after their visits.
"It was depressing," James admitted. "I was spending weeks away from home, and my wife said I'd changed. It was really difficult because that was everyday you were doing that, and it got to the point where I realised that my mental health was being affected quite severely."
Rediscovering a Childhood Passion
Seeking a distraction, James decided to purchase a second-hand ice cream van for £13,000 on eBay during lockdown. He refurbished the vehicle, obtained the necessary certifications, and began selling ice creams. What started as a modest side project quickly blossomed into a thriving enterprise, with demand soaring so high that he had to acquire additional vans to keep pace.
James's connection to ice cream dates back to his childhood, when his mother developed a fondness for the local ice cream man, Paulo. Paulo took James under his wing, becoming a father figure who instilled strong morals and values. After a two-decade hiatus, James felt a deep-seated desire to return to the ice cream trade, a passion rekindled during the pandemic's darkest days.
Balancing Two Worlds
Today, James dedicates three to four days each week to his ice cream business, which he says has now "taken over" from his paramedic duties. He continues to manage his private ambulance service, focusing on international rescue operations and event medical coverage, but the ice cream van has become his primary focus.
"It's just different," he explained. "With the ice cream van, I get in it and drive it, and I'm away with the fairies. None of the stresses of the medical side exist. They both involve a van with people running towards it, but they're polar opposites, and I love that."
Unexpected Medical Consultations
Interestingly, James's dual roles sometimes intersect unexpectedly. Regular customers have discovered his medical background and occasionally request consultations while ordering their ice creams. He recounted one incident where a woman lifted her top to show him a rash, seeking his professional opinion.
"You're never not a paramedic," James noted, revealing that he keeps a defibrillator in the back of his ice cream van. He has even had to park the van abruptly to assist individuals experiencing medical emergencies, blending his two worlds in moments of crisis.
A Heartfelt Gesture and Affordable Treats
In a touching turn of events, James's childhood mentor, Paulo, reached out and gifted him the very first ice cream van he worked in as a youngster. This sentimental gesture reinforced James's commitment to his newfound vocation.
Despite the financial success of his ice cream business, James remains dedicated to affordability, charging just £1 per ice cream—one of the lowest prices in the country. "I don't want to charge too much for my ice creams," he said. "It wasn't about the money; it was about improving my mental health. I love what I do."
James Shemmeld's story highlights a unique approach to managing workplace stress and trauma, demonstrating how a simple childhood passion can evolve into a lucrative and therapeutic side hustle, all while maintaining a vital role in emergency medical services.
