BCVYO - Bexley Council For Voluntary Youth Organisations

Join St. John Ambulance and you'll be able to do as much as you want. All your activities will count towards the Grand Prior Award which is nationally recognised and can be added to your National Record of Achievement.

As well as getting involved in this, you can undertake all levels of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award and support disadvantaged people in your own community.

Youth members are encouraged to take responsibility from an early age. This could involve running a training evening on healthy lifestyles, food, health or homelessness. You could train as a Cadet Leader or Peer Educator and share your skills with other young people. There are opportunities to take part in a wide range of training, in First Aid and Care Skills - and other diverse subjects such as team building, leadership, communication and group work.

Cadets make a difference. So don't just sit there - get involved, join in and make new friends. Everything you do will help your community, it's exciting and most of all it's fun!

St. John Ambulance is one of the leading youth organisations in the country. Cadets - our 10 to 18 year old volunteers - form nearly a third of the total membership of St. John Ambulance.

A new Cadet who joins St. John Ambulance must complete the introductory 'Wake up to Action pack'. Cadets undertake extensive training in First Aid and other subjects - aiming for the prestigious Grand Prior Award.

St. John Ambulance Cadets use their skills whilst dealing with members of the public. Whether it is premier division football or a local theatre, Cadets can be found volunteering their free time. This gives cadets an opportunity to put their First Aid skills into practice whilst being supervised by adults.

As well as learning leadership skills in the division, there are residential Cadet Leader courses which older Cadets may undertake. Cadets often take a lead role in running their division, under the supervision of adults. Cadets lead groups of young people at major events - such as the London Marathon.

The Grand Prior Award is the highest award a Cadet may achieve within St. John Ambulance. It marks at least three years sustained study in twelve proficiency subjects. The Award is presented by the Grand Prior, who is delegated by the Queen as Head of the Order of St. John.

To obtain the award, you must hold a current First Aid certificate and complete twelve subjects. You must choose at least one subject from each section. (See the Grand Prior Award page.)

Many Cadets leave their home division to go to college or university to study a wide range of subjects. Cadets entering higher education are able to join LINKS units, which are St. John Ambulance units at colleges throughout the country. This gives the student an opportunity to remain within the organisation and to develop their valuable skills. If a Cadet does not go to college or university, they can join an adult division of St. John Ambulance where similar training is available.