Since the creation of the St John Ambulance Association in 1877, young people have been involved in first aid, as seen in early photographs of Association Centre members in mining communities, where children often worked at the time.
However, it wasn’t until March 1922 that uniformed youth provision within St John Ambulance was formalised, with the introduction of a nationwide programme for under-18s: the St John Ambulance Cadets. At weekly meetings, Ambulance Cadet Divisions (for boys) and Nursing Cadet Divisions (for girls) learned first aid and lifesaving skills, putting their training into practice at first aid competitions and official duties at public events. Beyond first aid, Cadets could also enjoy a range of other activities, attending annual Cadet camps, playing an instrument in a St John Band, and learning other skills to prepare them to be conscientious, kind, and confident members of society.
The Cadet programme was introduced overseas almost instantly, with the first Cadet Divisions being established in India and Australia. Cadet newsletters and International Cadet Camps enabled the international youth programmes to correspond and meet, and today, Cadets continue in Divisions across Australia, Canada, England, Hong Kong, India, Kenya, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Wales, and Zimbabwe.
In 1987, the centenary year of the St John Ambulance Brigade, St John expanded its youth programme by introducing the St John Badgers for young people aged 5-10. Through games, crafts, and activities, Badgers learn communication skills, first aid, and how to be healthy and safe. In New Zealand, this age group is known as Penguins, and in Hong Kong, as Pandas.
St John Ambulance established further youth programmes in the following years, including the LINKS scheme for university and college students, and the NHS Cadet programme which provides opportunities for young people aged 14-18 who come from communities under-represented within the NHS and St John Ambulance to explore roles in healthcare.
Today, our young people are at the very heart of St John Ambulance, learning, promoting, and providing lifesaving skills.
However, it wasn’t until March 1922 that uniformed youth provision within St John Ambulance was formalised, with the introduction of a nationwide programme for under-18s: the St John Ambulance Cadets. At weekly meetings, Ambulance Cadet Divisions (for boys) and Nursing Cadet Divisions (for girls) learned first aid and lifesaving skills, putting their training into practice at first aid competitions and official duties at public events. Beyond first aid, Cadets could also enjoy a range of other activities, attending annual Cadet camps, playing an instrument in a St John Band, and learning other skills to prepare them to be conscientious, kind, and confident members of society.
The Cadet programme was introduced overseas almost instantly, with the first Cadet Divisions being established in India and Australia. Cadet newsletters and International Cadet Camps enabled the international youth programmes to correspond and meet, and today, Cadets continue in Divisions across Australia, Canada, England, Hong Kong, India, Kenya, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Wales, and Zimbabwe.
In 1987, the centenary year of the St John Ambulance Brigade, St John expanded its youth programme by introducing the St John Badgers for young people aged 5-10. Through games, crafts, and activities, Badgers learn communication skills, first aid, and how to be healthy and safe. In New Zealand, this age group is known as Penguins, and in Hong Kong, as Pandas.
St John Ambulance established further youth programmes in the following years, including the LINKS scheme for university and college students, and the NHS Cadet programme which provides opportunities for young people aged 14-18 who come from communities under-represented within the NHS and St John Ambulance to explore roles in healthcare.
Today, our young people are at the very heart of St John Ambulance, learning, promoting, and providing lifesaving skills.
