Empowering the next generation: St John Ambulance and the Young Responders campaign

Through a collaboration with the Humber Violence Prevention Partnership (HVPP) and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Humberside (OPCC), the Young Responders programme has been rolled out in the Humber region. It will identify those most vulnerable, and deliver practical, scenario-based training grounded in the kinds of situations young people are most likely to encounter.

Project manager Pauline Bartley explains that the programme’s aim is to equip young people not just with the skills, but also the confidence to step up in moments of crisis. It further addresses the mental health impact of first aid situations and guidance on accessing support when needed.

The story behind The Young Responders programme

The programme grew from a natural collaboration between St John Ambulance, local councils, and other partner organisations. Following recognition by the OPCC that St John Ambulance could offer young people valuable skills to respond constructively and effectively to street violence and real-life emergencies, the initiative was developed to put that vision into practice.

“The whole point of the Young Responders programme is to give young people vital education,” says Bartley. “It’s about equipping them with life skills and encouraging them to think twice about the choices they make.

“Ultimately, we want to build a network of young people who feel safe, skilled, and confident. With the rise in violent incidents and knife crime, it’s crucial that we help them respond in positive and constructive ways.”

Personal growth beyond first aid

Through the Young Responders programme, young people can gain a range of practical skills to help them handle emergency situations.

Bartley emphasises that the training isn’t just about acquiring practical skills - it’s also about helping young people pause and consider the consequences of decisions that could negatively affect their future or the lives of others.

“For example, some young people might see spiking a drink or vape as a bit of fun,” she explains. “Unfortunately, this is becoming an issue in schools. We want them to recognise right from wrong so they can make better choices for themselves, and hopefully reflect on past actions and think differently moving forward.”

Bartley adds that the training also helps participants recognise hazardous situations and resist the influence of peer pressure.

“Peer pressure plays a big role in many situations young people face. We want them to start thinking for themselves - for example, that it’s not right to film an argument between two people, because that can make things worse. It’s all about recognising what’s right and wrong and making better decisions.”

What has the programme achieved so far?

The growing confidence of participants has been a clear measure of the programme’s success, with positive outcomes recorded across every session.

“I think that’s a huge measure of success, because it shows they now know what to do in a moment of need,” she says. “Even if it’s just having the confidence to dial 999 instead of walking away, that’s a big step forward. Many of them have said they’ll think differently in the future and feel ready to support someone using the skills they’ve learned.”

Next steps and getting involved

The aim of the Young Responders programme is to work with a minimum of 3000 young people across the Humberside region.

“We’re working to build a small army of young people carrying these skills with them,” says Bartley. “Our hope is that, in time, some of those who’ve been through the programme will come back and help deliver it themselves. There’s nothing more powerful than a young person passing on knowledge to their peers and seeing it truly resonate.”

She adds: “Since the service began in March 2010, we’ve trained over 60,000 young people, including more than 22,000 this year alone. We’re on track to reach 30,000 by the end of the year, and the potential is there to extend these benefits far beyond Humberside."