Godiva Voluntary Medical Responders

22/03/2026

19/03/2026

19/03/2026

18/03/2026

When you join the ambulance service, you never imagine that one day you might be attacked or even have a knife pulled on you while trying to help someone who is ill or injured.

Sadly, this is becoming the reality for many frontline ambulance staff.

We are supporting and sharing a UK Government petition calling for funding to provide body armour for frontline operational ambulance staff who wish to wear it. The proposal is that it would be available at staff members’ discretion, similar to how body-worn cameras are sometimes used, alongside appropriate training.

Operational crews have reported having knives pulled on them when attending addresses that were initially considered safe. Despite the increasing risks, many ambulance staff currently have no protective equipment and limited personal defence training.

Paramedics and ambulance crews go to work to save lives, not to fear for their own. Many have families waiting for them at home, and incidents like these are sadly on the rise.

Link: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/759233

🚑 Please sign and share this petition to help protect our frontline ambulance staff. Your support could help make their job safer. 💙

17/03/2026

Cases of invasive meningococcal disease have been confirmed in Kent. Sadly, 2 people are known to have died. It's important to know the signs of symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia. Get more info from NHS.
🔗 nhs.uk/conditions/meningitis

16/03/2026

🚑 Important Health Notice – Meningitis Awareness 🚑

Following the recent outbreak of meningitis at the University of Kent, we wanted to share a quick reminder about what meningitis is and the signs to look out for. Early recognition can make a huge difference.

🧠 What is Meningitis?
Meningitis is an infection that causes inflammation of the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It can affect anyone but spreads more easily in close-contact environments such as universities, shared accommodation, and social settings.

⚠️ Common Signs and Symptoms:
• High temperature (fever)
• Severe headache
• Neck stiffness
• Sensitivity to light
• Nausea or vomiting
• Confusion or difficulty concentrating
• Drowsiness or difficulty waking
• Cold hands and feet, limb pain, pale or mottled skin
• A rash that doesn’t fade when pressed (not always present)

👶 In Babies and Young People:
• High-pitched crying
• Floppy or unresponsive
• Bulging soft spot on the head
• Refusing feeds

📞 When to Seek Medical Help:
Call 999 or go to A&E immediately if someone has:
• A seizure (fit)
• Difficulty waking or staying awake
• Breathing problems
• A rash that does not fade when pressed with a glass
• Severe neck stiffness or sensitivity to light

If you’re unsure but concerned, contact NHS 111 for advice. It’s always better to get checked.

💙 Remember: Trust your instincts. Meningitis can progress quickly, and early treatment saves lives.

Please share to help raise awareness and keep people safe.

16/03/2026

A big thank you to Tim Taylor, one of our community medical first responders here at GVMR. For checking and cleaning and making the OurJays defibrillator cabinet Emergency Ready. It was activated recently by a 999 call for help.

14/03/2026

Women are less likely than men to receive bystander CPR as many "feel unsure about touching a woman's chest", an ambulance service has revealed. Read the full story here: https://bbc.in/3MTZKnW

05/03/2026

01/03/2026

Happy St David’s day to the good people of Wales & to the Welsh scattered around the world.

❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿❤️

01/03/2026

🇬🇧🐉 HAPPY ST DAVID’S DAY 🐉🇬🇧
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🐉 Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus 🐉󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

Today we celebrate Wales.

Land of dragons, daffodils, rugby passion… and at least one sheep who’s definitely completed their Community First Responder training.

From all of us at UK Ambulance Humour:

May your tea be strong ☕
May your shift be quiet 🤫
May your dragon be appropriately risk assessed 📝🐉
And may every “Araf” sign be taken as a suggestion… unless it’s a Cat 1 🚑💨

Special shout-out to our Welsh crews holding the fort, flying the flag, and somehow still finding time for a paned between calls.

Croeso i Gymru 💛
Stay safe, stay proud, and remember
Even dragons need a first aid kit.



Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust
St John Ambulance Cymru