ST JOHN NT
NEWSROOM

Nearly 200 St John NT Cadets and Juniors were excited to be able to meet face to face again last week after the easing of physical distancing restrictions.

Ranging in age from eight to eighteen the youngest members of St John NT volunteer divisions had, like the rest of Australia, moved their activities online during the COVID-19 restrictions.

“We were so pleased to be able to invite our young members back to face-to-face meetings,” said St John NT Director Volunteer Services Annette Plowman.

“Once restrictions were put in place, we had to find creative ways to keep our young members engaged, learning, and connected.

“During the virtual meetings, they learned a lot about the virus, such as how to flatten the curve and what impacts isolation may have on mental health. They also revisited some topics which they learn through our Youth Programs that were very relevant for the time, such as cyber safety.

“Members were really engaged and seemed to enjoy the alternative way of learning which also allowed them to meet their peers from across the Territory, but I also know they were very excited to come back!” she said.

As Cadets and Juniors return to face-to-face meetings, they will continue to see a number of precautions around meetings. Each training session is limited to two hours with a maximum of 10 Cadets/Juniors and up to two supervisors.  Territory-wide Youth Sessions will continue to be scheduled online via Zoom alongside face-to-face meetings.

St John NT has 180 youth volunteer members with divisions in Darwin, Palmerston, Farrar, Humpty Doo, Katherine, and Alice Springs. Juniors are the youngest St John NT volunteers, aged 8-10 years old. Both Juniors and Cadet members commit to engaging in an ongoing pathway of personal and skill development. The skills taught in the weekly meetings are put into practice both in everyday life and when providing first aid services alongside adult members at events across the Territory.

All St John NT volunteers are offered lifesaving first aid training, and members aged 11 and up are provided accredited training. With these skills, volunteers are able to build resilience and learn great skills while making a positive impact in their community. Those interested in becoming a St John NT volunteer can access the application here or by contacting volunteers@stjohnnt.asn.au.