If you qualify, it is completely free to join NHS Cadets and take part in the programme.

Where we offer bonus opportunities, such as awards and courses, we try to ensure they are either free, fully-funded, or offer financial support options. 

When you first register your details with St John, you will receive an email to confirm you have successfully created an account. 

This doesn't mean you are an NHS Cadet just yet - please continue to complete your application.

Once you’ve been invited to complete stages 1 and 2, and been approved, you will be an NHS Cadet and have a place on a programme.

The programme will be delivered over 11 months (36 weeks) across an academic year. This means sessions will largely take place during term-time.

Pathways typically start in September or January, but this can vary depending on location. Feel free to check with us at NHScadets@sja.org.uk if you have any questions.

Where we work and our Regional Leads:

We have groups running in a range of locations around England, with more to come soon! To search for a location near you, head to our application portal and click “Search Positions”.

The programme aims to use a blended delivery model. Throughout the pandemic, we have been facilitating the pathways virtually, and some locations have been meeting face-to-face where it is safe to do so. This will vary across the country, so feel free to check with us directly. 

Sessions are delivered in the evenings, and meetings are 1.5-2 hours long. The precise day and time of your meetings will vary depending on which location you join. More information can be found via our application portal.

First aid awareness sessions are delivered virtually on the Foundation and Advanced pathways. Activities have been designed to expand your knowledge of responding to various incidents.

As blended learning expands and we have more face-to-face opportunities, we hope to be able to offer certified practical training once again. 

We are delighted to be able to share the Duke of Edinburgh's Award first aid self-teach guide, kindly made available by our in-house specialists. Click here to find out more: DofE self-teach guide.

If you would like to learn first aid modules for free, you might like to sign up to our online training platform. You can complete a range of different lifesaving modules, and receive certificates too. Click here to access the e-training platform.

If you can't find the right location just yet, we recommend you sign up for email alerts via our joining site. A postcode search with no close results will show you the message below; click "sign up" and set your notification preferences.

The NHS Cadets Programme is growing all the time, and this way you can find out if we are opening any new locations near you in 2023.

If you don't meet the entry criteria, we would love for you to still get involved at St John Ambulance.

If you are under 18:

You may be interested in joining Badgers (ages 7-11) or Cadets (ages 10-17). You’ll develop your clinical knowledge and be able to volunteer at exciting events.

You can find out more about St John’s youth programmes here.

If you are 18 or over:

Why not volunteer with NHS Cadets? You can help to deliver sessions and inspire young people!

You might also be interested in Student Volunteering, or alternatively you can search for a range of opportunities near you.

NHS Cadets is aimed at young people (aged 14-18, up to 25 for young people with a disability and/or special educational needs) from underserved backgrounds, providing an opportunity to gain practical skills and experience in healthcare.

We are welcoming of all backgrounds, ethnicities, refugees/asylum seekers, members of the LGBTQ community, NEET, caregivers and neurodiverse young people. 

There is no strict entry criteria.

If you would like to join, please register here.