Are you aged 10 – 17 looking for fun, adventure and a new challenge?
St John Ambulance Northern Ireland aims for more young people than ever to be qualified and ready to be active health citizens, role models and be the next generation of health professionals. Young people are supported to play an active role in creating health resilience in their community, through programmes shaped by them.
What do Cadets do?
Lifesaving skills are at the heart of our Cadet programme. There is the opportunity to use these skills by supporting our adult volunteers at events. However, it is not just all about first aid.
As a Cadet, you'll take part in a full and interactive programme, learning first aid skills, working towards your Grand Prior's Award, volunteering at events and developing skills to prepare you for the future. You can also participate in The Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Cadet units usually meet for two hours per week.
With so many different activities to get involved with, there is something for everyone.
Lifesaving Skills
From knowing how to help someone if their heart has stopped, to dealing with severe bleeding, our Cadet first aid training will help you to stay up-to-date with the best first aid techniques and gives you the ability to look after others and could help you to save a life.
Following completion our Cadet first aid training you will be able to volunteer at events alongside our adult volunteers helping to provide first aid cover at public events.
The Grand Prior's Award
The Grand Prior's Award is the ultimate Cadet achievement demonstrating commitment, compassion, and personal development.
Cadet Welcome is the first step on the Cadet journey. Following this you have the opportunity to work through the different stages of the Grand Prior's Award. You'll be able to study a wide range of subjects.
Subject areas include:
- First aid and event skills
- St John Ambulance - past and present
- Health and wellbeing
- Personal development
- Social action
Cadet Development Courses
Leadership qualities are in all of us. The Cadet leadership programme will help you to develop your confidence, teamwork and leadership skills. Level 1 of the programme is open to those cadets aged 13+ with level 2 open to those cadets aged 15+. We also offer an ILM level 2 qualification in Effective Team Member Skills in conjunction with CVQO.
Adventure Training
Between local unit activities and regional residential events, you will have the chance to experience a wide range of adventure training activities including mountain biking, surfing and climbing, just to name just a few.
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award
If you're aged 14 to 24 and fancy an exciting new challenge, The Duke of Edinburgh's Award could be for you. St John Ambulance NI is a licensed operating authority for the award.
However, if you are completing your award through school or another organisation there are lots of activities which you can complete at your Cadet unit that could also count towards your award.
Next steps
Are you interested in joining Cadets? Register your interest using the form below. Cadet units are located in:
- Armagh
- Ballymena
- Banbridge
- Bangor
- Belfast East
- Belfast North
- Carrickfergus
- Coleraine
- Craigavon
- Derry / Londonderry
- Dundonald
- Enniskillen
- Larne
- Lisburn
- Newtownabbey
- Newtownards (Opening in 2023)
Lots of young people want to join Cadets and it is likely you will need to wait for a space to become available before you can start your journey. If your local Unit has a waiting list, parents and other adults might want to think about what they could do to help out. Regardless of skillset or availability, there’s an opportunity for everyone to contribute.
Register Your Interest
I am interested in becoming a Cadet