Volunteer for St John Ambulance
Almost anyone can volunteer for St John Ambulance, though what role(s) you take on will depend a little on who you are:
- young children (5-10 years old) can join Badgers
- older children/teenagers can join Cadets
- those aged 18 and over can become an “adult” member
Adult members can take on roles such as:
- first aider, advanced first aider, patient transport attendant or emergency transport attendant (”direct care” roles, where you wear a uniform, complete first aid training, and provide service at public events). Those with no previous first aid experience will start with thorough first aid training at the “first aider” level. Once you have a bit of experience, if you wish you can usually access further training and move to one of the other roles. There are also more specialist roles available in this branch, such as cycle responders.
- youth leader. Our Badgers and Cadets need enthusiastic adults to look after and inspire them. If you are passionate about working with children this could be the role for you.
- support roles. If you have skills and time that you’d like to volunteer, but you don’t want to wear a uniform or go down the first aid route, this could be what you’re looking for. Managing paperwork, raising funds, overseeing equipment, ensuring our first aiders are fed and watered… the list of support roles is nearly endless. Just imagine all the work that needs to happen behind the scenes to keep our 44,000 volunteers and the country’s largest ambulance fleet on the road (so to speak)! Any time and skills you can bring will be valued immensely.
Some people might have special skills from their “day job” or previous voluntary work that would be really useful to St John Ambulance, and enable you to take on a specialist role:
- doctor, nurse, paramedic, ambulance technician or other healthcare professional. We provide first aid cover at hundreds of large events where our first aiders need support from experienced and qualified medical and healthcare professionals. This can be a rewarding way to get involved with the community or develop your own skills further by gaining experience of front-line emergency care (as well as a lot of good fun!). We really do value the expertise that medical and healthcare professionals bring to the organisation, whether it’s direct service at public events or support by providing training input (or both!)
- trainer. If you can inspire people to learn, and perhaps you have previous training or teaching experience, maybe a role as a volunteer first aid or health and safety trainer would be a rewarding way for you to support us.
- managerial/leadership skills. We are always looking for experienced and able leaders. If you have experience you can bring from your career to St John Ambulance, it might be possible for you to apply directly for a managerial/officer role.
- other skills. Whether it’s IT, vehicle maintenance, finance, catering, facilities management or something else, we might well be able to find a use for your expertise.
St John Ambulance members are volunteers and don’t receive payment for their time (although all necessary training is provided, out-of-pocket expenses such as travel and refreshments are normally reimbursed, and you should find volunteering very rewarding).
If you are thinking about joining St John Ambulance and would like more information:
- if you’ve not already done so, read around my website to learn a little about what it’s like (although do remember this is just one person’s opinion!)
- visit the St John Ambulance website and use the drop-down menu on the left to find your local county office, who should have contact details available. Alternatively, use this enquiry form, or telephone 08700 10 49 50 (during office hours) to be put through to your local office. If you get stuck, drop me a message.