Recruitment 'crisis' for St John

The St John branch in Newtown has been open for 70 years

First aid charity St John Wales is facing a recruitment crisis in mid Wales which could lead to some branches closing, claims a chief officer.

The problem could have major implications for dozens of public events covered by the service.

Deputy commissioner for mid Wales Beryl Lewis blamed the recruiting issue on people's "busy lives", and the region's low population and rurality.

St John Wales has launched a campaign to boost recruitment in rural areas.

The charity has also employed a volunteer recruitment officer with funding from the Wales Council for Voluntary Action.

Mrs Lewis, who has been a member of St John for 50 years, said branches in Machynlleth and Welshpool had closed in recent years because of a lack of interest.

Her own Newtown brigade, which has been serving the community for 70 years, has only six adult volunteers and requires at least double that to fulfil its commitments properly, she claims.

'Busy lives'

The first aid volunteers in Newtown cover about 30 events every year including the town's Santa Run, which is being staged on Sunday, and the Royal Welsh Show in July.

"We are very short of members in the mid Wales region and right across Wales," said Mrs Lewis.

"The problems are more so in mid Wales because we have less people to call upon.

"People also lead such busy lives now that volunteering is difficult for some. People work shifts too, which makes it hard to commit to things.

"Machynlleth and Welshpool (branches) closed a few years ago through a lack of membership and we don't want other branches to close but it's a possibility."

Mrs Lewis said the charity in Newtown had tried to stimulate interest by staging open days, and last winter delivered 4,000 leaflets to homes in the town.

Newtown mayor Sue Lawson urged people to get involved with the charity.

"St John is a necessity at public events because of health and safety regulations, and some of these could be put in jeopardy if it packs up in Newtown," she said.

St John headquarters in Cardiff said it had 4,700 members in Wales.

Volunteer recruitment officer Damian Thomas said: "Although we are currently enjoying the highest level of membership in our 90-year history, recruiting members in rural areas can be a challenge, and we would encourage all those who are interested in becoming a member to go along to their local division and discover the many benefits of being involved with St John Wales."

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