Aberystwyth trio complete new advanced qualification to boost event care across Wales
THREE student volunteers from Aberystwyth have made history after becoming the first in Wales to qualify as Event Responders with St John Ambulance Cymru.
Charlotte Johnson, Poppy Willis and Harry Marsh, all based at Aberystwyth University, are the first wave of volunteers to complete the charity’s new Event Responder skill level – introduced in response to updated national guidance and aimed at strengthening clinical care at events across the country.
Their achievement follows months of additional training, specialist modules and rigorous assessments.
‘A really proud moment’
For Charlotte, the milestone marks a journey that began in childhood.
“I joined St John as a Badger because I decided when I was four that I wanted to be a doctor,” she said during an interview on the charity’s official podcast, Just in Case: Stories from St John.
Her family enrolled her as a Badger at the age of five, sparking what has become a long-standing commitment to first aid and patient care. After progressing through Badgers and Cadets, earning both her Super Badger Award and Grand Prior Award, she rejoined the organisation while studying at university in 2023.
When the opportunity arose to qualify as an Event Responder, she did not hesitate.
“It was a really proud moment getting those role bars,” Charlotte said. “Knowing that we’re the first ones in Wales to have that and to do it. It’s also quite daunting because currently, we are the first of a number of members working hard to complete this programme.”
‘Daunting, but worth it’
For Harry, who joined just over a year ago, the new qualification meant stepping well beyond his comfort zone.
“There were a lot of new skills to learn to get this new role,” he said. “So, I’m just excited to have that new knowledge.”
He admitted the assessment process was challenging.
“It’s daunting, and it’s all new. I’ve had friends from other divisions asking what it was like and how scary it was. I’ve just tried to be honest – it’s daunting, but it’s really just a case of giving it a go.”
Raising standards of care
The Event Responder role has been introduced to enhance clinical capability across duties, ensuring volunteers are equipped with expanded knowledge and practical skills.
Poppy believes the impact on patient care will be significant.
“I think it’s going to improve the care that we can provide massively,” she said. “Everyone on duty is going to have a higher skill level and be able to do more things to treat patients. That can only be a good thing.”
Among the most valuable aspects of the programme, the trio said, was an increased focus on mental health awareness and safeguarding.
Charlotte praised the inclusion of training led by mental health professionals, adding: “To have proper training on what to do if you come across a patient with mental health needs – which more and more often we are – is really good for the organisation.”
Poppy highlighted the wide-ranging nature of the course, which included ten-second triage, major incident simulations, and violence and aggression training.
“It’s always going to be helpful no matter what type of patient you’re treating,” she said.
‘A huge honour’
For all three volunteers, qualifying as Event Responders is about more than a new badge.
“It’s a huge honour,” Charlotte said. “St John Ambulance Cymru is the first aid charity for Wales. To be the first ones in Wales to hold this current skill level and go on duties and help people as an Event Responder is a huge honour.”
Poppy added: “It feels really good to have done it.”
And for Harry, the motivation is simple: “Being able to continue to do the thing that I love outside of work – that’s what it means. Getting that level that allows me to keep being on duty and keep doing what we’re doing is key.”
St John Ambulance Cymru provides lifesaving support at events across Wales and delivers first aid training to people of all ages.
The podcast Just in Case: Stories from St John is available on major platforms including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, with new episodes released monthly.
