Why first aid matters for every business in Wales
Why first aid matters for every business in Wales
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Every workplace has a duty to protect its people. Accidents and medical emergencies can occur at any time, whether in an office, on a factory floor, in a shop, or at a stadium. That is why first aid matters for every business in Wales. At St John Ambulance Cymru, we help employers and communities gain the confidence and skills to respond in a crisis.
Who we are
St John Ambulance Cymru is a community of lifesavers, with more than 100 years of service. Our vision is simple: We want a Wales where more lives are saved through first aid. Our dedicated staff and volunteers work tirelessly across the country, offering their time and expertise to ensure communities remain safe. We focus on several key areas, including training individuals, supporting community events, providing healthcare services and developing young people.
What we do
First aid training
We train tens of thousands of people every year. Our courses range from First Aid at Work and Emergency First Aid at Work to Mental Health Awareness and Fire Marshal Training. We also provide free resources on our website, allowing people to learn what to do in the event of someone choking, bleeding heavily, or experiencing a cardiac arrest.
Healthcare and event support
Our teams provide medical cover at major sporting, cultural, and community events across Wales. From rugby matches at the Principality Stadium and endurance events, to local fairs and concerts, our St John People are there to give peace of mind to organisers and to step in when needed.
Patient services
We work alongside the NHS with services like patient transport and community response to help reduce the pressure on emergency services.
Youth programmes
Our Badger and Cadet programmes give children and young people the chance to learn first aid and gain valuable life skills. Many of our volunteers first joined St John Ambulance Cymru as youngsters and stayed because of the sense of purpose and community.
Why it matters for business
For employers, first aid training is not only about meeting legal requirements. It is about building safer workplaces, protecting staff, and reducing risk. An employee trained in first aid could make the difference between a minor incident and a tragedy.
Training also benefits staff wellbeing. Knowing how to act in an emergency builds confidence and morale. It can strengthen a team and show that a company values its people. Businesses that invest in first aid also demonstrate responsibility to their customers and communities.
A story that shows the impact
The importance of first aid is clear when you hear stories like Chris’.
When Chris Edwards lined up at the start of the Porthcawl 10K earlier this year, he felt confident. An experienced runner, he’d trained well, eaten properly, and prepared like he always had. But what he didn’t expect was that he would collapse just metres from the finish line, and that his life would be saved thanks to the quick actions of St John Ambulance Cymru volunteers.
“I’ve done first aid training before, but I never thought I’d be on the receiving end of it,” Chris said of the incident. “Now I understand just how crucial that equipment and training are. Without it, I wouldn’t be here.”
How businesses can get involved
- Ensure staff are trained in first aid at work. Training courses can be held at your premises or through our centres across Wales.
- Encourage employees to give their time as volunteers. Some businesses even allow volunteering days.
- Work with us through fundraising, sponsorship, or supporting our campaigns such as Defibruary or Save a Life September.
- Make sure you have the right first aid supplies and, where possible, install a defibrillator.
Want to partner with us? Email Sam.Cook@sjacymru.org.uk to find out how we can work together.
St John Ambulance Cymru provides lifesaving support at events across Wales and delivers first aid training to people of all ages. To get involved, book training, or support their work, visit www.sjacymru.org.uk. You can also tune into our new podcast, Just in Case: Stories from St John, which is available on all major podcast platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, with new episodes set to release every month.
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