Wales Air Ambulance Community Engagement Volunteer Coordinator Oliver Sharman is appealing for volunteers to help support the lifesaving Charity in Gwynedd, Conwy and Anglesey.
Oliver who is twenty-five and originally from Shropshire was appointed to the role in May 2025.
He said: “Volunteers play such a vital role within the Charity. They are the ambassadors for all that we do, providing a vital link with the communities in which they live.
“We are so fortunate to have so many incredible volunteers who support our lifesaving service in Gwynedd, Conwy and Anglesey. They do a variety roles from attending fundraising events, doing bucket collections and cheque presentations.
“They also play a key role in providing community talks – which enables us to engage with young people in local schools or colleges, connect with organisations that support the elderly and collaborate with local businesses.”
Wales Air Ambulance’s community Talks Network is bringing the lifesaving work of the charity directly to groups across Wales, through engaging presentations and a unique opportunity to volunteer as a speaker.
Oliver said: “We cover such a large area, so we really depend on our volunteers to help us connect with people across the counties.
“It is so much more meaningful, when someone from the community you live in presents a talk in your village hall to help people understand the role of the Charity and the service it provides.
“They become a recognisable face of the Charity and play a very important role in helping us save more lives.”
The 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.
It is delivered via a unique third sector and public sector partnership. The Wales Air Ambulance Charity relies on public donations to raise the £13 million required every year to keep the helicopters in the air and rapid response vehicles on the road.
The Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS) supplies highly skilled NHS consultants and critical care practitioners who work on board the Charity’s vehicles.
This advanced critical care includes the ability to administer anaesthesia, deliver blood transfusions and conduct minor operations, all at the scene of an incident.
As a pan-Wales service, its dedicated crews, regardless of where they are based, will travel the length and breadth of the country to deliver emergency lifesaving care.
Throughout Oliver’s early career he was a volunteer and says it ‘improved’ his employment prospects.
He said: “It is such a fantastic way to expose yourself to different environments and certainly helped me gain my present role.
“School leavers, often only have academic qualifications on their CV, volunteering can certainly add a new dimension to applications for college, University, or an apprenticeship.
“I hope younger people will also see this as a gateway to be able to learn new skills, gain confidence in public speaking and help the Charity save more lives.”
He added: “Our volunteers are from all walks of life; some have retired from highly professional backgrounds and bring innovative ideas.
“Some have committed their lives to bringing up their family or caring for a relative and are looking for a flexible role where they can commit as little or as much time as they are able to.”
Wales Air Ambulance offers a training package to volunteers, to help enhance their public-speaking and presentation skills.
Oliver said: “We give our volunteers the tools they need to help them grow their own talk network.
“We provide laptops, presentations, a tablet to enable them to do digital donations and an event pack. Their travelling expenses are also covered by the Charity.”
He added: “We have different voluntary jobs available and appreciate not everyone feels comfortable standing before an audience, or working with technology, and that is ok too.
“We can discuss other options, like looking after tin collections and banking, or helping supporters set up fundraising events.
“We can tailor voluntary roles to suit the individual and look forward to hearing from anyone who is interested in supporting our Charity.”
If you would like to be part of the Charity’s growing network, please email communitytalksnetwork@walesairambulance.com
