St John Ambulance Guernsey is looking for new volunteers to join the charity’s event first aid team.

St John volunteers give up their spare time to provide first aid cover at all sorts of public events around the Bailiwick from Liberation Day, outdoor festivals, summer shows and sports fixtures, including the NatWest International Island Games which return to Guernsey in July 2023.

As well as providing first aid cover across the islands, St John Ambulance Guernsey volunteers have also helped at national and international events.  Last year, a team of St John first aiders travelled to Gibraltar to support the medical team during the 2019 NatWest International Island Games.

Jackie Pattimore said: “Being part of the Island Games in Gibraltar was such an amazing experience. Although it was very busy at times, it was a great experience and we made a lot of new friends and great memories along the way.”

Guernsey will be hosting the NatWest International Island Games for the third time in 2023.  It will be a major event for the Island, with teams from 23 competing Islands competing in 14 sports spread across 25 venues.

A large team of volunteers is currently being recruited to make sure that the Games run as smoothly and safely as possible.

Mary Perkins, Chair of the Guernsey 2023 NatWest International Island Games said: “It is going to be a very busy week and we need to make sure that we are fully prepared. 

During the Games week we will be welcoming up to 3,500 visiting athletes and officials and their supporters.  That is a lot of people within 24 square miles!”.

St John Ambulance Guernsey will be playing a major part in the Games whether you are a visitor, local spectator or a competing athlete. Event first aiders help provide care to the public at local events. This role can lead on to more advanced roles including patient transport, cycle response, advanced first aid and emergency response

St John Ambulance Guernsey’s Chief Operating Officer Nikki Harrison said: “To be ready for the games in 2023 the volunteers will need to have completed their training and have gained first aid experience at events – this will take a little time which is why we have begun our recruitment drive now. If you have good communication skills, a desire to help people and are able to deal with all sorts of medical situations we’d love to have you on our team.”

To be a voluntary event first aider you will be fully trained by St John to national First Aid standards, so you don’t need previous experience. You may also be able progress to an Advanced First Aider standard. You will need an interest in first aid, good communication skills, be able to work as part of a team, be willing to train and be physically fit for the role.

The role description for a volunteer First Aider can be found here. For further details about what the role entails, the skills required, and training provided visit the volunteer section on the stjohn.gg website or email games2023@stjohn.gg.