Learning to care

Press, 16 September 1987, Page 14

Learning to care

The first cadet division of the Order of St John was established in 1927 with the objective of providing facilities for young people to meet and for instruction in first aid, health care and community hygiene.

Since that time the scope of the branch has been gradually extended to include aspects of character training, self identification and human relationships. These come under the collective title of “living, learning and leadership,” and are aimed at producing a better citizen. Several structured programmes operate for cadets, aged from eight to 21. The emphasis is on learning through doing, and personal skills used in everyday living are part of this. Cadets learn how to deal with conflict situations, how to budget, how to organise themselves, how to use a telephone and write letters clearly, and many other skills needed to survive in today’s world. At all stages, first aid and patient care is taught, with theory and practice. Most of the 5285 cadets go on public duty

once they obtain their Standard First Aid Certificate (aged about 15). In 1986, they contributed to tt(e more than 1.2 million hours of voluntary, unpaid public duty performed by St John in New Zealand.

They also have their own competitions, where their very high standards of first aid are tested in simulated conditions.

The first official Cadet Ambulance Division, formed in Wanganui sixty years ago, was followed two years later by the Wanganui Cadet Nursing Division. They are now 222 Cadet Divisions throughout the country, most of them having both male and female members. Details of local Cadet Divisions are available by phoning 64-776.