St John Ambulance Cymru Aberystwyth

20/11/2025

On we pay tribute our children and young people and the work they do with their dedicated Youth Leaders, learning new skills & working towards realising their potential.

But it's not all about first aid, our Badgers and Cadets cover a variety of subjects!

This year, 375 of our Cadets have completed the newly-designed Youth Empowerment subject as part of our Grand Prior Programme, which the Cadets themselves helped design as part of a collaboration with the Children’s Commissioner for Wales.

We continue to develop our programmes based on feedback from our children and young people and the highlights of our annual Investiture and Visitation services are awarding our Badgers and Cadets with their certificates to recognise their achievements.

19/11/2025

We are proud to work with organisations including the Welsh Ambulance Service to provide care for people who have fallen in communities across Wales.

Our have helped care for over 9,000 fallers this year alone.

18/11/2025

If you'd like to be prepared for emergencies and feel confident in your ability to help others, join our Workplace Trainer Lisa for hands-on Basic Life Support Training that could save lives, as well as helping to raise money for St John Ambulance Cymru!

The next session will be held on Sunday November 23rd from 3pm-5pm at Lyne Road, Newport, NP20 5JG. Tickets £10 per person. Click the link in the comments to book your place.

17/11/2025

Tickets on sale now!

Come and enjoy an evening of Christmas Carols with Côr Meibion Morlais, harpist Izzy Hill and our very own St John Ambulance Cymru Choir at St John the Baptist, Cardiff City Centre at 7pm on Wednesday 10th December.

Tickets are £5 with funds going to the St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital. Click the link in the comments to book your place!

14/11/2025

Penblwydd hapus to HM The King, the Sovereign Head of St John Priory for Wales. Happy Birthday!

77 today! 🎈 Thank you for the kind words and well wishes on His Majesty’s Birthday.

📷 Millie Pilkington Photography / Sandringham Estate

13/11/2025

Eunice O'Hara, who has dedicated 60 years to volunteering with St John Ambulance Cymru was among those recognised at the charity’s Mid and West Wales Regional Awards for 2025.

Another significant award presented during the ceremony was the Gerallt Davies MBE CStJ Memorial Award, presented in memory of the former paramedic and National Paramedic Officer for St John Ambulance Cymru, who sadly died in 2020.

The runner up, who received commendation for their impact was Gwion Morgan, Deputy Operations Manager of Dyfed County, while the winner was Sam Davies, Operations Manager for Dyfed County, who also scooped the Volunteer of the Year Award.

There were also a Lifetime Achievement Award for Will Wall of the Abertawe Division in West Glamorgan, who has been a devoted member since 1988 and Julie Carrod who has dedicated almost 30 years of service to St John Ambulance Cymru in a range of roles in Powys.

Congratulations to all who received recognition on the night! Llongyfarchiadau! Click the link in the comments to read the full list of award recipients!

13/11/2025

Exciting funding news for our Tredegar Division! St John Ambulance Cymru

We are delighted to share that Tredegar Division has been awarded a grant to launch an adult and youth volunteer division, purchase new IT equipment and create an outdoor wildlife, growing and learning space.

Come and join us as a volunteer and learn new skills, enhance your CV and make a positive impact on your local community. Look out for news of our free taster sessions and first aid demonstrations. Our team in Tredegar look forward to welcoming you!

This project is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

11/11/2025

This National Safeguarding Week we’re shining a light on the vital work that keeps people safe across St John Ambulance Cymru.

In this video, Kerrie Aldridge, our National Safeguarding Manager, explains what safeguarding means, why it matters in every part of our organisation and how we make sure the people we support and the volunteers who give their time are always protected.

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. Thank you to Kerrie and to every volunteer and staff member who helps us create a safe and supportive environment across Wales.

11/11/2025

Our people are always proud to represent St John at Remembrance parades in their communities and as part of national Remembrance services.

Byddwn yn eu cofio - We will remember them. "Dros ryddid collasant eu gwaed.”

10/11/2025

Did you know... our have been present at more than 20 bonfire and fireworks events across Wales over the past few weeks, from small community occasions to larger displays. A huge thanks to those who gave of their precious time so generously to be there someone needed first aid. Diolch!

09/11/2025

Remembrance Parade 2025

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for today’s parade. Each of you looked incredibly smart and represented St John Ambulance Cymru with pride and respect.

St John Ambulance has a long history of service during times of war — from caring for the wounded on the front lines to running hospitals and training civilians in first aid. That legacy of compassion and duty continues through our volunteers today.

Remembrance is about honouring those who gave everything, and carrying forward their spirit of service in what we do now.

We’re especially proud of John and Joel, who laid the wreath on behalf of the organisation, and Deputy Cadet Officer Charlotte, who served as standard bearer.

You all did St John proud. ❤️

09/11/2025

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning,
We will remember them.

Pan elo’r haul i lawr, ac ar wawr y bore,
Ni â’u cofiwn hwy,

08/11/2025

We're recruiting... a Workplace Trainer. We are seeking a motivated and qualified trainer with a passion for teaching and the aspiration to make a difference. Up to £26,820 per annum. Location: Cardiff. Closes: 14/11/25. See link in comments for more information and to apply.

Rydym yn recriwtio... Hyfforddwr yn y Gweithle. Rydym yn chwilio am hyfforddwr brwdfrydig a chymwys sydd yn angerddol dros addysgu a'r dyhead i wneud gwahaniaeth. Hyd at £26,820 y flwyddyn. Lleoliad: Caerdydd. Yn cau: 14/11/25. Gweler y ddolen yn y sylwadau am ragor o wybodaeth ac i ymgeisio.

12/10/2025

What a fantastic day supporting this year’s Ras Dau Gopa Aberystwyth Twin Peaks Race and Ras Consti races! Our St John Ambulance Cymru team were out bright and early on the promenade, hills, and checkpoints providing medical cover for runners, volunteers, and spectators.

A big thank you to Aberystwyth Athletics Club for another brilliantly organised event, and to all the runners who tackled Pen Dinas and Constitution Hill with determination (and some very muddy shoes!).

Huge shoutout to our amazing crew from both LINKS and Town divisions for keeping everyone safe throughout the day.

Special thanks also to the Raynet Wales volunteers, who kept communications running smoothly across some challenging terrain.

Great teamwork, stunning views, and a lot of smiles from the finish line. 🏅

05/10/2025

🎉 She only went and did it! 🎉

A massive well done to our Divisional Manager Gemma for smashing the Cardiff Half Marathon today – what an incredible achievement 🏅 We’re so proud of you! 💚

While Gemma was out on the course, the rest of the SJAC Aberystwyth and St John Ambulance Cymru Aberystwyth LINKS team were hard at work providing medical cover for thousands of runners. It’s been a long, busy, brilliant day for Team Dyfed – with some of our crew based at the Cathays medical post, and others crewing four emergency ambulances around the course to make sure everyone stayed safe. 🚑✚

Huge congratulations to every single person who crossed that finish line, and a big thank you to all the volunteers, organisers, and supporters who made this amazing event possible 👏

Feeling inspired? Want to be part of a team that saves lives, supports communities, and plays a vital role at events like this? Come and join us: https://www.sjacymru.org.uk/en/page/volunteer 💚

05/10/2025

When your Divisional Manager signs up to run the Cardiff Half Marathon to raise money for St John Ambulance Cymru… the rest of the division rally behind her the only way we know how – by getting stuck in and providing medical cover on the day! 🏃‍♀️💚✚

SJAC Aberystwyth and St John Ambulance Cymru Aberystwyth LINKS have swapped the Ceredigion coast for the capital this weekend, joining teams from across Wales to keep runners safe and supported at the Cardiff Half. It’s one of the biggest running events in the country, and we’re proud to be part of the crew making it happen! 🙌

If you’re taking on the 13.1 miles today, keep an eye out for our team at Drinks Station 4 – we’ll be there with smiles, plasters, and plenty of encouragement, so don’t forget to give us a wave as you run past 👋

And if you want to cheer Gemma on from the sidelines, you can show your support by sponsoring her here: https://cardiffhalf25.enthuse.com/pf/gemma-atherton

Every penny goes directly towards our lifesaving work – training volunteers, providing first aid cover at events, and being there when our communities need us most 💚

03/10/2025

Gemma Atherton is another member who will be taking on the Cardiff Half Marathon this Sunday to raise money for us!

Gemma is another of our dedicated and is Divisional Manager at St John Ambulance Cymru Aberystwyth.

Gemma said: "Training for this half marathon has been a real challenge. I was never a natural runner, but over time it has become part of who I am. For me it is not about pace or distance, it is about moving, staying healthy, and keeping going when it gets tough.

"That focus on health is something I have also found through my volunteering with St John Ambulance Cymru. Being part of St John has been rewarding in so many ways. Our small Division has welcomed more than 200 volunteers, many of whom have gone on to follow careers as paramedics, nurses, doctors and other health professionals.

"Some of the people providing care in hospitals and communities today may have taken their very first steps in a St John uniform.

"This half marathon is both a physical and a mental test, and I am running it for the organisation that has given me and so many others the chance to learn, grow and give back. St John Cymru is not just about first aid, it is about building a family of lifesavers.

"If you have ever been helped by a first aider, or if you value the time and effort volunteers put into your community, please consider sponsoring me. Every donation is a huge encouragement and it will help St John Ambulance Cymru continue creating more lifesavers for the future."

Diolch Gemma! Pob lwc!

27/09/2025

This morning another group were trained in basic first aid life saving techniques as part of our campaign, ensuring that more community first aiders are out there

We run basic awareness sessions sporadically throughout the year, in-between our volunteers' commitments and operational fixtures.

We're always happy to discuss visiting groups to deliver training in the heart of communities in Aberystwyth and beyond. We're currently working through a list of enquiries so if interested please get in touch to be added to our waiting list.

20/09/2025

🫀 Our amazing Aber LINKs volunteers were out at Capel Bangor Village Hall today, showing the community how to save a life with CPR 💚

It was all part of Save a Life September, where we’re teaching as many people as possible the skills and confidence to step in during an emergency.

Big thanks to everyone who came along and had a go – every pair of hands trained makes our community stronger.

20/09/2025

The team are eagerly waiting to demo first aid skills and talk about volunteering opportunities with you. Pop along to meet our volunteers, ask questions and start your new adventure today!

13/09/2025

💚 Gŵyl y Castell, Aberystwyth 💚

What a day! A total of 238 people have been trained in CPR with us today at Aberystwyth Castle 🙌

And it wasn’t just our adult responders leading the way — our amazing St John Cymru Cadets were out there teaching people CPR too!

That means 238 more people in our community now have the confidence to step in when it matters most.

Our St John Ambulance Cymru responders are still on-site for the rest of the festival, providing medical cover and keeping everyone safe while the celebrations continue.

Diolch yn fawr to everyone who stopped by to learn, practise, and support us. Together, we’re helping to save lives across Wales.

💚 Want to get involved? St John Cymru has something for all ages — Badgers (5–10), Cadets (11–15), and Adult Responders (16+). Join us and be part of the team that makes a difference.

13/09/2025

Our team are at Aberystwyth Castle today teaching CPR and showing how anyone can save a life.

📊 The facts:
• Every year in the UK, over 30,000 people suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
• In Wales, less than 5% of people survive — one of the lowest rates in the UK.
• Bystander CPR can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival.
• Yet women are less likely to receive CPR from bystanders (68% compared to 73% of men).

To help change this, we’re using new CPR manikins that better represent female anatomy. The aim is to build confidence, tackle hesitation, and make sure everyone has an equal chance of receiving help.

We’re also here to bust myths about CPR, explain the Good Samaritan laws that protect those who step in, and highlight why every minute counts. For every minute without CPR and defibrillation, a person’s chance of survival drops by about 10%.

Come and meet the team, have a go at CPR, and learn the skills that could one day save a life.

07/09/2025

CARDIFF HALF MARATHON UPDATE
***4 weeks to go***

Training for this half marathon has been a real challenge. I was never a natural runner, but over time it has become part of who I am. For me it is not about pace or distance, it is about moving, staying healthy, and keeping going when it gets tough.

That focus on health is something I have also found through my volunteering with St John Cymru. Being part of St John has been rewarding in so many ways. Our small Division has welcomed more than 200 volunteers, many of whom have gone on to follow careers as paramedics, nurses, doctors and other health professionals. Some of the people providing care in hospitals and communities today may have taken their very first steps in a St John uniform.

This half marathon is both a physical and a mental test, and I am running it for the organisation that has given me and so many others the chance to learn, grow and give back. St John Cymru is not just about first aid, it is about building a family of lifesavers.

If you have ever been helped by a first aider, or if you value the time and effort volunteers put into your community, please consider sponsoring me. Every donation is a huge encouragement as I head into the final weeks of training, and it will help St John Cymru continue creating more lifesavers for the future.

https://cardiffhalf25.enthuse.com/pf/gemma-atherton