Teaching 11 to 17-year-olds life-saving first aid skills.
We're on a mission to teach young people across the country how to save lives. It's a chance for them to learn important first aid skills in a fun, friendly, and safe environment.
Cadets can get involved in:
learning first aid
volunteering at local and national events
engaging in social action and helping their local community
learning about health and wellbeing
developing confidence and communication skills through Cadet leadership training
enjoying a wide range of outdoor and adventurous activities.
What Cadets get up to
Cadets are organised into local groups where they get to develop their skills and build relationships as a team. They typically meet once a week. Cadets can also take part in local and national events and activities with St John.
Grand Prior's Award
Subjects include:
Adventure Skills
Casualty Simulation
Celebrating Difference
Healthy Minds
Healthy Relationships
Leadership & Teamwork
Power of Communication
St John Journey
We encourage Cadets to have a voice in selecting the subjects they complete. Each subject lasts six weeks, with a range of activities, adapted to suit all learning styles and abilities.
Sign up now
Find your nearest Cadet Group by searching with your postcode on our online portal.
They are so amazing and without such amazing teachers to explain everything, encourage me and help me to learn first aid, I don’t think I would have been able to help my mum.
Cadet Development Courses
Cadets can go on to challenge themselves further and take their skills to the next level with one of our Cadet development courses.
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award
Cadets can also complete their Duke of Edinburgh's Award with us. If they are already completing it with their school or another organisation, they can still complete certain sections of the award with us, including volunteering or skills.
Information for parents and guardians
St John Ambulance Cadets costs £12 per month or £144 per year.
The subscription covers:
keeping young people safe
equipment and resources
certificates and badges
uniform
There might be an extra cost for other events like camps and residential courses.
Financial assistance
We want to make as many young people first aid confident as we can, regardless of their financial circumstances. Financial help is available for subscriptions. We provide the Cadet uniform free of charge.
You can apply for financial assistance during application. If you or your child are an existing member of St John Ambulance, speak to your Cadet Group Lead.
Got a question?
If you have a question or need more information, our team will be happy to help. Please email volunteering-youngpeople@sja.org.uk.
Cadet uniform
We provide Cadet uniforms free of charge.
Cadets wear a St John Ambulance polo shirt and a brassard for their badges. Wear these with black trousers, socks, and shoes.
Once a Cadet has completed their Cadet Operational First Aid course, we will provide an operational first aid uniform, which mirrors that of our adult volunteers.
Sign up now
Find your nearest Cadet Group by searching with your postcode on our online portal.
