St John Ambulance Cymru

St John Ambulance Cymru are passionate about saving lives and enhancing the health and wellbeing in the communities of Wales.

An estimated 17 million working days were lost due to work-related stress, depression, or anxiety in 2021-2022. This time of year can be especially difficult for many, so having mental health first aiders in your workplace and the wider community is more important than ever.

St John Ambulance Cymru wants as many people as possible to learn both physical and mental health first aid techniques, as they can mean the difference between a life saved and a life lost.

St John Ambulance Cymru understands that mental health and wellbeing are just as important as physical health. With a goal to have first aid available for everyone – anytime, anywhere, the charity is committed to making Wales a safer place for everyone.

St John Ambulance Cymru is leading the way with an innovative range of workplace first aid courses and is always adapting its services to best serve the people of Wales. Not only are traditional first aid techniques taught to the highest standard, but the charity is also passionate about delivering quality mental health first aid training.

Mental Health First Aid and Mental Health Awareness courses arm people with the skills and knowledge required to help a work colleague, and also to protect a loved one in their time of need. Individuals are trained to recognise the symptoms of a mental health crisis and learn about depression, psychosis, substance abuse, suicidal thoughts and behaviours, panic attacks and so much more. Delegates gain the confidence to approach somebody who is struggling and signpost them to professional support.

Early intervention saves lives and with 347 suicides registered in Wales through 2021 alone, St John Ambulance Cymru are passionate about helping workplaces fully support their employees. The charity has recently introduced a groundbreaking Menopause Awareness workplace course, to reduce stigma and further support people at work.

One company that undertook Mental Health First Aid training with St John Ambulance Cymru said: “We found the Mental Health First Aid course informative and was able to apply what we learned within our workplace considering the sensitivity of the subject, with confidence.

“Also, a most simple, effective lesson learned, is to listen. It has been a valuable course to attend and we are looking to book more of our workforce on this course.”

Another claimed the course was “one of the most popular courses we offer to staff. They often finish the course feeling inspired and ready to support colleagues and volunteers throughout the organisation.”

From First Aid at Work training which enables individuals to become a qualified workplace first aider to Emergency First Aid which is suitable for small, low-risk workplaces, St John Ambulance Cymru is committed to dramatically reducing the number of workplace incidents and deaths in Wales.

Health and safety can seem daunting, but St John Ambulance Cymru are passionate about empowering both employers and staff with the relevant information, so they can understand how to best keep themselves and colleagues safe. The charity is committed to being the leading voice for first aid in Wales sharing only the most up to date, accurate information. St John Ambulance Cymru follows standards set by the Voluntary Aid Services and has an integral voice as a member of the First Aid Quality Partnership.

When a company chooses St John Ambulance Cymru for their training needs, they are not only investing in invaluable workplace training, but they are also funding the charity’s lifesaving work in the communities of Wales. Funds raised from certified training courses support the charity’s committed volunteers who provide medical cover at events across the country and the educational children and youth opportunities, like the Badger and Cadet programmes, which run for children and young people aged 5-18 in Wales. Choosing St John Ambulance Cymru also means supporting the charity to share its lifesaving knowledge to schools and community groups through free first aid demonstration sessions, along with the vital healthcare schemes supporting the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust.

When a company chooses St John Ambulance Cymru for their training needs, they are not only investing in invaluable workplace training, but they are also funding the charity’s lifesaving work in the communities of Wales.

St John Ambulance Cymru are passionate about making workplaces and the wider community safer for all. If you’d like to find out what St John Ambulance Cymru can do for your workplace, the Training Team are always happy to help.

You can find out more about St John Ambulance Cymru’s lifesaving work in communities across Wales at www.sjacymru.org.uk.