Northam Clontarf Academy teens get first aid accredited for future employment thanks to SJWA

Community donations to St John WA (SJWA) has helped fund four Northam Clontarf Academy Year 12 teenagers to become first aid accredited as part of their journey to future employment.

The Clontarf Foundation exists to improve the education, discipline, life skills, self-esteem and employment prospects of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and by doing so equips them to participate more meaningfully in society.

Northam’s Clontarf Academy helps young men to attend school, finish Year 12 and enter employment.

“Empowering young people and First Nations communities with first aid skills and knowledge is about growing their confidence to step forward and help others, as well as building more resilient communities,” said Chief Preventative Officer Megan O’Donnell.

“Creating new employment pathways into paramedicine at SJWA, especially for First Nations people and regional volunteers even within our own organisation is a key part of closing the healthcare gap in regional and remote communities.

“Because it’s those people, who grew up and live in country communities and know their importance, who will continue to support them for generations to come and we will be there to help them.”

SJWA’s Northam response station is among the first to deliver first aid training in culturally minded ways with First Nations specialists present.

SJWA’s First Nations Social Sustainability Investment Framework has been designed to foster healthcare equity, empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and support the journey towards reconciliation.

“Our initiatives aim to improve health literacy, increase bystander assistance in a healthcare emergency until ambulance arrives, and create employment pathways are all aligned with our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) vision,” said SJWA Social Sustainability Manager Angel Robins.

First Nations Relationship Specialist and Thiin Mah and Warrianga Yamatji man, Jeremy Maitland-Smith says SJWA is taking significant strides to ‘Innovate’ as per the second phase of its RAP.

“It is important for St John to support these boys to learn lifesaving training but also enhance their opportunities in future employment by achieving Certificates in Providing First Aid,” Jeremy, who is also a registered paramedic, said.

“By having this first aid knowledge and experience will assist in the household and community.”

SJWA has 160 locations spanning more than 2.5 million square kilometres – among the biggest land mass of any global ambulance jurisdiction – which includes 140 volunteer response locations and 20 sub centres with a mix of volunteer ambulance officers and career paramedics who work side-by-side.

To learn more about St John WA’s first aid courses, visit here: https://stjohnwa.com.au/first-aid-training/first-aid-courses

Volunteer here: https://stjohnwa.com.au/changelives/volunteer