Volunteering “helped me find balance when I couldn’t find it myself.” Celebrating volunteers across Wales this Volunteers’ Week

The 1^st June marks the start of Volunteers’ Week 2023, a week to celebrate all of the fantastic work volunteers do in communities across the country. As Wales’ leading first aid charity, an organisation which has volunteers at the heart of everything it does, St John Ambulance Cymru are taking this week to share volunteers’ stories, and thank them for their dedication.

St John Ambulance Cymru are supported by thousands of volunteers across Wales who give up their time endlessly to support both small, local events and larger national events. This week is all about their stories.

Jess Bogunovic from Aberdare has been a member of St John Ambulance Cymru for 17 years. and talks about how volunteering has been extremely rewarding; “I’ve learned a lot of new skills which have been transferable to employment and have supported me in many different roles” she says. Volunteer work in Aberdare has also strengthened the sense of community, as volunteers are there for members of the public when they need it most. “I’ve met a range of different people whilst supporting my local community,” she says, “we have a laugh with members of our community and  support them at all the different events.”

Not only has volunteering provided Jess with a range of invaluable skills, but it has also been a support system for her, “St John Ambulance Cymru has provided me with different levels of support through numerous events in my life and has helped me find balance when I couldn’t find it myself” she says.

Jess supporting a local event in Aberdare.

James Cordell who is based in Pembrokeshire has also had some brilliant experiences volunteering over the last five years. “I‘ve been involved with some of the biggest and best events across Wales, where we provide first aid and medical cover.”

For James, the best things about volunteering are attending events and spending time with great people “all from different walks of life, different backgrounds and countries” he says.

“I’ve met some amazing people, who are now close friends”

“I have even met my partner, Sam, through St John Ambulance Cymru. We met when I first started to volunteer and we’ve now been together for around three years.”

James and his partner, Sam

For Dave, who is based in Rhyl, North Wales, learning the skills to help people through his volunteer work and training has been a real highlight. “To know I have the skills to potentially help someone in need makes me feel a million dollars” he says.

He recalls transporting his first patient to hospital when out covering an event, “for me, it’s not something I would have ever done before. To be trusted and trained to a point where I can take patients to hospital, it was a proud moment for me.” Volunteering with St John Ambulance Cymru has not only given Dave the skillset needed to care for patients and provide quality first aid care, but it has also introduced him to a range of new people. “It’s not just the organisation, but the people in it. It really is like a big family” he says.

Dave volunteering alongside his daughter

Volunteering doesn’t only strengthen communities and make them safer places, but it’s also extremely rewarding on a personal level. Not only could it help to develop your own skillset, but it introduces you to a range of different people, allowing you to make connections and lasting friendships.

St John Ambulance Cymru are saying a big thank you to all of their volunteers like Jess, James and Dave this week, for their ongoing support and commitment.

You can find out more about volunteering with us here www.sjacymru.org.uk/en/page/volunteer

St John Ambulance Cymru can only train and support our fantastic volunteers with the help of our generous supporters. If you’d like to make a donation, then please visit www.sjacymru.org.uk/en/page/donate.