Thanks to Kate for sharing this latest news with OnTheWight readers. Ed
St John Ambulance on the Isle of Wight is holding an open evening in Newport to give local people an insight into what it means to be a volunteer with the nation’s leading first aid charity.
The two units on the Isle of Wight – Newport and Ryde – are both looking for new volunteers, of all ages, to take up roles from first aid to fundraising on the island. They’re also looking for youth leaders to help with the Badgers (five to 10 years old) and Cadets (10 to 18 years old), as well as encouraging local children to join the youth groups.
Where and when
The open evening will take place at 7pm on 28 May 2015, at St John Ambulance, 12 Manners View, Dodnor Industrial Estate, Newport, PO30 5FA.
Current volunteers will be on hand to talk about their own experience of volunteering with the charity and to demonstrate their first aid skills.
Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer will be able find out about the St John Ambulance Pathway training programme from application to becoming a fully fledged first aider or volunteer in the local community.
Chance to learn new skills and make new friends
Kate Dann-Welstead, Unit Manager, Newport Adults said:
“We want to give local people a chance to see what we do and to show them how they can support the charity in the work that it does in the area and nationwide. We give our volunteers the skills needed to be the difference between a life lost and a life saved.
“But there’s also a strong social side to the organisation. St John Ambulance gives you the chance to learn new skills, make new friends and get involved in doing something really positive for your community.”
All new volunteers are expected to learn basic first aid skills, but for those who prefer not to get involved in frontline first aid duties there are plenty of other valuable roles.
More than first aiders
Kate added:
“Many people assume the only positions within our charity are as first aiders; however, we have much more to offer and through this evening we hope to recruit people to support roles such as youth leaders and fundraisers, as well as find people to fill those vital first aider roles.”
For further information about the information event or volunteering with the Newport or Ryde St John Ambulance Units, call 01983 822794 or email [email protected]
Anyone wishing to apply for the current vacancies for first aider should apply via the online application portal – which can be accessed here – where you can view all volunteer vacancies.
Image: paulsimpson1976 under CC BY 2.0
