Community First Aider

Key information

What to expect

• Ensuring first aid is available to those who need it in your community
• Supporting local events with a primary focus on community engagement and education
• Advocating St John in communities through talks and demonstrations
• Delivering our fundraising campaigns at events, talks and roadshows
• Seeking and maximising fundraising opportunities through community activity Supporting the delivery of campaigns and programmes
• Being part of a thriving Community First Aid Network
• Representing St John Ambulance positively and in line with our HEART values.

Benefits of volunteering

Make a Positive Impact: Help individuals in critical situations and contribute to the well-being of your community by sharing your first aid skills.

Enhance Community Resilience: Play a key role in creating a safer community by educating others about first aid and emergency preparedness.

Lifesaving Skills: Your training and actions can be vital in providing first aid and lifesaving care until emergency services arrive, making a difference between panic and relief.

Engagement Opportunities: Support local events with a focus on community engagement and education, helping to raise awareness about the importance of first aid.

Advocacy Role: Represent St John Ambulance in the community through talks and demonstrations, promoting health and safety.

Fundraising Involvement: Participate in delivering fundraising campaigns at events, talks, and roadshows while maximising community support for St John Ambulance.

Network Building: Become part of a thriving Community First Aid Network, connecting with other volunteers and health professionals.

Flexible Commitment: Volunteer for at least 80 hours per year, roughly one day per month, with the flexibility to adjust your commitment in unforeseen circumstances.

Comprehensive Training: Receive training through an induction programme, a Community First Aider course, and essential skills training, including safeguarding, health & safety, and GDPR.

Expense Coverage: Have your out-of-pocket expenses reimbursed while you volunteer.

How often will I be volunteering?

At least 80 hours per year, roughly one day per month.

Meeting these hours will form part of the annual revalidation for your role. The requirement can be adjusted in unforeseen or unavoidable circumstances, for example if you are unexpectedly unwell.

What you’ll bring to the role

• Ability to use your training to recognise the welfare and wellness needs of those you interact with
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally with a wide range of people
• Ability to motivate, inspire and support others
• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with a wide range of people
• Strong listening, compassion, and empathy skills
• Enthusiasm for the work of St John Ambulance and ability to model our values
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Physical fitness for a role which requires moving around an event, and treating people (including the ability to kneel by a collapsed patient and deliver effective chest compressions for at least two minutes without stopping).

What you'll learn

• Induction programme introducing you to the charity
• Community First Aider course, including patient assessment and basic life support, managing trauma in emergency settings, and recognising signs and symptoms in both adults and children. You will also determine when to escalate care, seek senior assistance, and handle medications, interventions, and patient communications while ensuring safety in your role.
• Speaking & listening skills
• Demonstrator skills
• Essential training including safeguarding, health & safety and GDPR Out of pocket expenses.

How you’ll get started

Application: fill out an application form online to register your interest

Interview: We'll invite you for a friendly interview to get to know you better and explore how your skills and passion align with the role of a Community First Aider. This informal chat will help us understand your motivations for volunteering and how you can contribute to our team.

Recruitment checks: To keep everyone safe, we’ll need to run right to volunteer checks, a health check, an enhanced DBS check and complete other checks like two references - just a standard procedure when volunteering in this type of role.

Get started: You’ll meet the team again and the people you are going to be volunteering with, start your training and begin making an impact!