Tell us a little about yourself…
I’m a student and proud St John Ambulance volunteer with Warwick LINKS, a St John Ambulance Unit based at the University of Warwick.
Why did you first get involved as a student volunteer?
I had just started my PhD and wanted to try something new. I saw how much enjoyment and satisfaction volunteering brought to one of my friends, so decided to go to a taster session. It was surprising how little I knew about first aid and was hooked from that point. I applied to become a volunteer the next week!
Any memories that stand out?
At a committee handover weekend, I decided to reverse my vehicle down the hill at Pen-Y-Garreg, and consequently got stuck – the entire committee were in hysterics. Eventually, some of them came out in the pouring rain to direct me to freedom!
Another big memory was walking out the tunnel to a full stadium at Aston Villa, that was a pretty epic feeling.
What do you like best about being a student volunteer?
The amount of support I’ve received from other students has been unbelievable. I have Cerebral Palsy, and this was a big fear when joining St John Ambulance. But since joining, there has never been an occasion where I have felt left out or unable to join in.
Sounds friendly…
It really is! Our Unit is like a family, and we make sure all our volunteers feel welcome and appreciated.
Everyone is approachable – so if anyone needs extra training, development or even just a friend, there’s always someone to listen and help out. It’s such a privilege to work alongside them.
What are your future plans with St John Ambulance?
I have recently become a District Events Officer, assisting with the planning and delivery of the events in Coventry and North Warwickshire. In this role, I get to give volunteers the opportunity to go out and experience the full range of events that we cover, in addition to making sure they are supported.
My current long-term goal is to become an Event Manager within St John Ambulance, and I’m starting that process by getting my Treatment Centre Manager sign-off!
