St John Ambulance in Wales

St John Cymru-Wales (Also called St John Ambulance Wales and the Priory of Wales for the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem) is a charity (registered in England and Wales) dedicated to the teaching and practice of first aid.^[1] It is a subsidiary charity of the Priory of Wales (that is, the Welsh branch) of the wider international Order of St John.

History

The medieval Order of St John is the original inspiration of the modern Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem. As part of its charitable work, the Order founded three separate charities in the nineteenth century. One was an eye hospital in Jerusalem. The other two were the St John Ambulance Association (1877) and the St John Ambulance Brigade (1887) providing, respectively, first aid and nursing training, and first aid and nursing work by trained volunteers. The two organisations merged around a hundred years later into the single St John Ambulance organisation.

In 1907 King Edward VII, as Sovereign Head of the Order, authorised the foundation of different 'priories' of the Order for different nations.^[2] The first to be founded was the Priory of Wales (1918), which in turn led to St John Ambulance in Wales becoming a separate organisation and charity from the English parent body.

First Aid Cover At Events

St John Cymru-Wales provides first aid cover at thousands of events every year. This service is provided free at the point of delivery, although a charge may be made to the event organiser for provision of the service at their event.

In addition to providing volunteer first aiders for events, where necessary St John Cymru-Wales can provide paramedics, doctors, nurses and cycle responders, as well as mobile treatment centres, ambulances and other medical provisions.

The organisation covers many major events across Wales including the National Eisteddfod, IAAF Cardiff World Half Marathon, Principality Stadium Events, Liberty Stadium Events, Ironman Wales as well as smaller and charitable events such as fetes and local fairs.

Work With Young People

Badgers Badgers are 5 to 10 year old members. Badger setts are in action across the whole of Wales, and supervised by qualified adults in a fun and safe environment. Badgers learn basic first aid, and take part in various fun and social activities.

Cadets Cadets are 10 to 18 year old members. As a Cadet there are many opportunities available to you within your local division, region and across Wales. These include:

• Learning lifesaving first aid
• Meeting new people
• Building your confidence
• Gaining new qualifications and skills
• Undertaking a range of outdoor and sporting activities
• Attending regular camps

Amalfi Challenge The Amalfli Challenge provides a flexible framework for 16 to 25 year olds to undertake a programme of personal development, whilst working towards the Amalfi Award. The Amalfi Challenge is self-directed, enabling you to set your own goals with guidance and support from other people.

LINKS Units St John Cymru-Wales has a number of LINKS groups at Universities across Wales. LINKS groups are student societies run solely by students, and meeting times and duty attendance can work around timetables and studying. LINKS is a great way to meet new people, make a real difference in the local community, develop a wide range of lifesaving skills and embrace a leadership role. Current LINKS Groups exist in the following Welsh Universities:

• Aberystwyth
• Bangor
• Cardiff
• Cardiff Metropolitan
• Swansea

Structure

St John Cymru-Wales is organised into 7 county regions:

• Cardiff and Vale
• Dyfed
• Gwent
• Mid Glamorgan
• North Wales
• Powys
• West Glamorgan

See also

• St. John Ambulance
• St John Ambulance Ranks and Insignia
• Service Medal of the Order of St John

References

External links

• St John Ambulance - The Priory for Wales
• Charity Commission. St John Wales, registered charity no. 250523.