Published: 02 January 2024

The Wales Air Ambulance is delighted to have launched its new ‘future flyers’ volunteering opportunities.

‘Future flyers’, which is supported by a grant from the Principality Building Society, aims to give young volunteers looking for work a vital boost.

The two new volunteering opportunities intend to give the volunteers, aged under 25, a chance to sign up to the scheme and see them all given a ‘future flyers’ pack. 

The pack contains a logbook, where volunteers can record hours served, countersigned by their supervisor. The volunteers will also complete an online course covering matters including financial planning, CV writing and career planning.

Upon completion of the course, and an agreed number of volunteer hours, the young volunteer will be presented with a certificate of completion and a skills record.

The job candidate will then be able to take the pack, plus a reference if applicable, to their future employer or course tutor as evidence of their community and social responsibility.

Sandra Hembery, the Charity’s Volunteer Development Manager, said: “We are delighted to have launched ‘future flyers’. This is a wonderful opportunity for ‘future flyers’ volunteers to gain valuable skills, while gaining experience and evidence to present to potential employees or college representatives. It is a wonderful way for the volunteer to be able to show their hard work and commitment to our lifesaving charity. Volunteers are the backbone of the Wales Air Ambulance, and their volunteering helps us to be able to continue to save more lives across Wales.”

The project forms part of the Charity’s ongoing strategy, part of which aims to support young people through their ‘Youth Engagement Programme’. The all-Wales service is committed to offering young people across Wales the opportunity to progress and aims to acquire future supporters.

Wales Air Ambulance is consultant-led, taking hospital-standard treatments to the patient and, if required, transferring them directly to the most appropriate hospital for their illness or injury. For the patient, this can mean hours saved when compared to standard care and is proven to greatly improve survival and early recovery. 

The Charity relies on public donations to raise the £11.2 million required every year to keep the helicopters in the air and rapid response vehicles on the road.

Meanwhile, the Wales Air Ambulance is due to pilot another scheme in Cwmdu, Swansea - the upcycling scheme. The Charity is often offered large items of quality furniture, which might not be to today’s taste.

The upcycling scheme will see the items transformed through chalk painting, restoration, reupholstering, or freehand painting.

When the item is complete it will be sold in the Wales Air Ambulance’s charity shops with a note giving information on the work carried out and a little about the volunteer involved.

For more information on either of these volunteering opportunities contact [email protected]