Launch of a New First Aid Initiative in Schools
St John Ambulance, the UK’s leading first aid charity, has launched an initiative that is running throughout local primary and secondary schools on the Island. The campaign aims to raise awareness amongst pupils and their families of the wide range of services, training and volunteer opportunities available within St John Ambulance.
A recent survey has revealed that almost seven out of 10 people wouldn’t know how to help someone who needed first aid. It is hoped that the 13,000 specially designed information leaflets which are being delivered to all local school children will start the process of reversing this worrying trend. The leaflet includes key facts about the organisation, as well as information on four key areas associated to the charity:
- Young First Aiders courses (encouraging pupils to qualify for a school’s first aid certificate)
- Young Carers courses (Promoting the Young Carers Programme on the Island)
- CPR Skills Kits Programme (Information about the Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation kits that have been provided to all Year 6 schoolchildren and, for 2010, all Year 8 schoolchildren)
- Recruitment (Information on how people can become involved either in a support role, or as a first aider, either of which can make an immediate and real difference)
St John Ambulance Leaflet to Schools
St John Ambulance has a long history of working with schools locally, but, as a result of new sponsorship, has been able to step up their commitment with this initiative to ensure that every school child has access to information about the charity and the training it offers, to encourage them and their families to get involved. Since launching its Young First Aider training resource in 1998, nearly every school has used the charity’s services to train in the region of 19,000 children; however the charity wants to improve these figures with the support of teachers, pupils and parents.
The Commander of St John Ambulance Jersey, Nigel Truscott, said: “2009 saw the highest percentage of the population of Jersey ever trained in first aid courses, with St John Ambulance teaching 5954 islanders, equating to 6.6% of the population. Of these, 2,600 were schoolchildren. We want to build on this number in 2010 and think awareness amongst local schoolchildren and their families will play a key part in making this happen. Our belief is that anyone who needs first aid should receive it from those around them and a wider knowledge of simple first aid techniques could save thousands of lives each year.
We are delighted that the Department for Education, Sport and Culture has supported our initiative by allowing us to communicate our messages through the Island’s schools, with their endorsement. We are hopeful it will encourage lots of young people and their families to get involved with what we offer at St John Ambulance, to make a difference to their lives as well as the lives of others.”
Jersey’s Minister for Education, Sport and Culture, Deputy James Reed, added: “We recognise that first aid training and the volunteer opportunities St John Ambulance offers not only teaches people the skills to be able to save a life, but also helps them understand the value of life. The activity reinforces the importance of communication and teamwork, whilst boosting confidence and self esteem. We are totally supportive of this initiative and believe you are never too young to learn.”
The cost to design, print and distribute the leaflet was sponsored by local fiduciary services company, Dominion. The schools programmes are generously sponsored primarily by the Scotto Trust and Dominion.
Ben Cooke, CEO of Dominion, said: “At Dominion, we actively support charities and initiatives that place an emphasis on children and their development. We have recently made an ongoing financial commitment to St John Ambulance to support many areas of the charity, which place emphasis on facilitating the learning, support and development of young people and this particular initiative does just that. We hope it will encourage as many young people and their families to get involved to develop into everyday life savers, carers or trained volunteers.”
More information on St John Ambulance Jersey can be found at www.sja.org.uk/jersey
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