ST JOHN Ambulance in Andover is holding an open day to give people an insight into what it means to be a volunteer with the first aid charity.

The adult unit looking for new volunteers, of all ages, to take up roles from first aiders to fundraising.

The team is also looking for youth leaders to help with the Cadets, aged 10 to 17-years-old, and to form a new Badger Unit for those aged seven to 10-years-old, as well as encouraging local children to join the youth group though there is currently a waiting list for the Badgers.

The open day will take place between 10am and 4.30pm on Sunday, 9 September at Priory Hall, in Love Lane.

Current volunteers, including adults and cadets, will be on hand to talk about their own experience of volunteering with the charity and to demonstrate their first aid skills.

Shona Wilkins, unit manager, said: “We want to give local people a chance to see what we do and to show them how they can get involved.

“Volunteering with St John Ambulance gives you the chance to learn new skills, such as first aid, make new friends, and get involved in doing something really positive for your community.”

All new volunteers are expected to learn basic first aid skills, but for those who prefer not to get involved in frontline first aid duties there are plenty of other valuable roles.

Shona added: “Many people assume the only positions within our charity are as first aiders; however, we have much more to offer and through this open day we hope to recruit people to support roles such as youth leaders and fundraisers, as well as find people to fill those vital first aider roles.”

For further information about the or about volunteering with the Andover Unit, contact shona.wilkins@sja.org.uk or call Shona on 07785 998153.