An interview with Burn Survivor, Amanda Redman MBE

As a child Amanda Redman MBE was burned across her whole body following an accident with a pot of boiling soup. From personal experience, Amanda knows the impact a burn injury can have on a child and their family. As part of Tydzień Bezpieczeństwa Dzieci we ask Amanda how this injury has affected her life and career.

How do you feel your injury affected you as a teenager?
I’m pleased to say it didn’t really. I can remember one or two nasty comments, but I only remember them because there were so few.

You trained at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School what do you remember most about this time?
I remember spending every day doing something I absolutely loved, in a great city and being surrounded by like-minded people.

As a successful actress has your burn injury affected your career at all in both a positive or negative way?
Never in a negative way and the positives have enabled me to become a public voice for charities close to my heart such as the Children’s Burns Trust.

You were appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2012 Birthday Honours for services to drama and charity. How did it feel to be recognised this highly for your work?
I was deeply honoured and it meant the world to my mum.

What has been your career highlight?
I’m so lucky to have had quite a few, ranging from awards and nominations to spending the best time working with fantastic people.

You’ve been the Patron of Children’s Burns Trust for nearly 20 years. How did you originally become patron of the charity and what keeps you involved in our work?
I was approached by the charity and of course it is a cause that speaks straight to my heart and always will.

Can you tell us about what you are currently working on?
I’m doing a film for Channel 4 about mental health called For You.

You are the current star of the charity’s “A Burn Injury is for Life, but so is a Smile” campaign. Highlighting inspiring burn survivors every month in 2019. What made you want to be involved in the campaign?
If I can, I will always want to help in any way I am able.

As was the case with Amanda’s injury, significant numbers of children in the UK are badly injured in scalding accidents involving hot liquids everyday. Data released from the Children’s Burns Trust during Child Safety Week show that in 2018 the number of children injured by spills was over 3229. To bring this figure to life, that’s nearly 9 children a day across the UK. Together we must look to reduce these numbers – Keep hot liquids away from children.