St John Ambulance Cymru is marking Volunteers’ Week by highlighting the commitment of those who give up their time to support the charity and the ongoing impact they have in communities across the country.
The first aid charity for Wales is sharing the stories of just a few St John People who make a difference every day and the positive experiences they’ve had, from helping to save lives and gaining awards, to helping others learn skills and travelling internationally as part of the wider St John family.
One such volunteer is Richard Baxter, who was recently appointed one of the charity’s Deputy Chief Commissioners, having initially joined his local St John Ambulance Cymru division at the age of 12.
Almost a quarter of a century later, he’s still volunteering and attending weekly training sessions and continuing to find purpose in giving back to St John, his community and country.
Richard recalled during an episode of the St John Ambulance Cymru podcast, Just in Case: Stories from St John.
“I joined nearly 25 years ago as a Cadet. A school friend had just started, and I thought, ‘Oh, I’d like to get involved too.’ I’d also seen St John at the BBC Children in Need concert and thought it looked really interesting. I’ve been there ever since.”
Over the years, Richard has volunteered in many roles: from front-line first aider to fundraiser and helped to build the charity’s community presence and donor networks.
Now working in NHS Management, he credits St John with teaching him the communication and leadership skills that shaped his professional journey. He added:
“It’s a family. I’ve made friends for life. I met my partner through the organisation too. It’s given me a lot back."
A defining aspect of Richard’s relationship with St John is the sheer range of experiences it’s given him. He admitted:
“There’s no typical day. You could be at a village fête one week and the Principality Stadium the next. We’re there just in case.”
That “just in case” ethos came sharply into focus last year, when Richard and his team saved a man’s life at the finish line of the Porthcawl 10K. Richard said:
“We train for it, of course, but you don’t expect it to happen. He collapsed, needed CPR and the defib. A few hours later, we heard he was sitting up in hospital. That’s why we do what we do."
Such moments are unforgettable, but Richard is quick to point out the quieter rewards too, especially when training communities internationally.
In 2015, he travelled to northern India as part of a team teaching first aid to Tibetan orphans and local children. On his third trip, the Dalai Lama personally thanked the group for their decade of work.
“To shake the Dalai Lama’s hand and be thanked on behalf of the charity… it was overwhelming. I’ll never forget it.”
It’s one of many stand-out memories. His volunteering for St John alongside his work with Rookwood Sound Radio also helped him the WCVA Young Volunteer of the Year Award in 2006.
More recognition came in 2017, when he was awarded the Sovereign’s Award, one of only ten given each year and personally signed by the late Queen Elizabeth II.
“It recognised everything I’d contributed as a youth member. It meant the world.”
Asked what keeps him coming back, his answer is simple: community.
“Giving back to your local community, being part of something bigger, that’s my real reward. That and wearing the uniform. It’s pretty cool.”
Asked if he’d recommend joining St John Ambulance Cymru he said:
“Absolutely. Just do it. Take the opportunity while it’s there. You’ll learn skills that could one day save someone’s life, maybe even a loved one. And you’ll become part of a wider family. That’s what St John has been for me.”
Nearly 25 years in, Richard shows no signs of stopping. In fact, he’s already thinking ahead.
“I would like to continue. The charity’s given me so much. I want to keep giving back.”
To find out more about how you can volunteer, visit our volunteering page.
Just in Case: Stories from St John is available on all major podcast platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, with new episodes set to release every month.
Click the links to listen on Apple Podcasts or to listen on Spotify.
“Mae’n deulu. Rydw i wedi gwneud ffrindiau am oes,” meddai gwirfoddolwr St John Ambulance Cymru sydd â mwy na dwy ddegawd o brofiad
Mae St John Ambulance Cymru yn nodi Wythnos y Gwirfoddolwyr drwy dynnu sylw at ymrwymiad y rhai sy'n rhoi o'u hamser i gefnogi'r elusen a'r effaith barhaus sydd ganddynt mewn cymunedau ledled y wlad.
Mae elusen cymorth cyntaf Cymru yn rhannu straeon dim ond ychydig o bobl St John sy'n gwneud gwahaniaeth bob dydd a'r profiadau cadarnhaol maen nhw wedi'u cael, o helpu i achub bywydau ac ennill gwobrau, i helpu eraill i ddysgu sgiliau a theithio'n rhyngwladol fel rhan o deulu ehangach St John.
Un gwirfoddolwr o'r fath yw Richard Baxter, a benodwyd yn ddiweddar yn un o Ddirprwy Brif Gomisiynwyr yr elusen, ar ôl ymuno â'i adran leol o St John Ambulance Cymru yn 12 oed.
Bron i chwarter canrif yn ddiweddarach, mae'n dal i wirfoddoli ac yn mynychu sesiynau hyfforddi wythnosol ac yn parhau i ddod o hyd i bwrpas wrth roi rhywbeth yn ôl i St John, ei gymuned a'i wlad. Cofiodd Richard yn ystod pennod o bodlediad St John Ambulance Cymru, Just in Case: Stories from St John.
“Ymunais fel Cadét bron i 25 mlynedd yn ôl. Roedd ffrind ysgol newydd ddechrau, a meddyliais, ‘O, hoffwn i gymryd rhan hefyd.’
“Roeddwn i hefyd wedi gweld St John yng nghyngerdd Plant mewn Angen y BBC ac roeddwn i’n meddwl ei fod yn edrych yn ddiddorol iawn. Rydw i wedi bod yno byth ers hynny.”
Dros y blynyddoedd, mae Richard wedi gwirfoddoli mewn sawl rôl: o gymhorthydd cyntaf rheng flaen, i godi arian ac wedi helpu i adeiladu presenoldeb cymunedol a rhwydweithiau rhoddwyr yr elusen.
Gan weithio bellach ym maes Rheoli'r GIG, mae'n rhoi clod i St John am ei ddysgu'r sgiliau cyfathrebu ac arweinyddiaeth a luniodd ei daith broffesiynol. Ychwanegodd:
“Mae’n deulu. Rydw i wedi gwneud ffrindiau am oes. Fe wnes i gwrdd â fy mhartner drwy’r sefydliad hefyd. Mae wedi rhoi llawer yn ôl i mi.”
Agwedd ddiffiniol ar berthynas Richard â St John yw'r ystod eang o brofiadau y mae wedi'u rhoi iddo. Cyfaddefodd:
“Does dim diwrnod nodweddiadol. Fe allech chi fod mewn ffair bentref un wythnos ac yn Stadiwm y Principality yr wythnos nesaf. Rydyn ni yno rhag ofn.”
Daeth yr ethos “rhag ofn” hwnnw i’r amlwg y llynedd, pan achubodd Richard a’i dîm fywyd dyn ar linell derfyn ras 10K Porthcawl.
“Rydyn ni’n hyfforddi ar ei gyfer, wrth gwrs, ond dydych chi ddim yn disgwyl iddo ddigwydd. Cwympodd, roedd angen CPR a’r diffibriliwr arno. Ychydig oriau’n ddiweddarach, clywsom ei fod yn eistedd lan yn yr ysbyty. Dyna pam rydyn ni’n gwneud yr hyn rydyn ni’n ei wneud,” meddai Richard.
Mae eiliadau o'r fath yn anghofiadwy, ond mae Richard yn gyflym i dynnu sylw at y gwobrau tawelach hefyd, yn enwedig wrth hyfforddi cymunedau yn rhyngwladol.
Yn 2015, teithiodd i ogledd India fel rhan o dîm yn dysgu cymorth cyntaf i blant amddifad a phlant lleol o Dibet. Ar ei drydedd daith, diolchodd y Dalai Lama yn bersonol i'r grŵp am eu degawd o waith.
“Oedd ysgwyd llaw’r Dalai Lama a chael fy niolch ar ran yr elusen… yn aruthrol. Wna i byth anghofio hynny.”
Mae'n un o nifer o atgofion sy'n sefyll allan. Fe wnaeth ei waith gwirfoddol i St John ochr yn ochr â'i waith gyda Radio Rookwood Sound ei helpu hefyd i ennill Gwobr Gwirfoddolwr Ifanc y Flwyddyn CGGC yn 2006.
Daeth mwy o gydnabyddiaeth yn 2017, pan ddyfarnwyd Gwobr y Sofran iddo, un o ddim ond deg a roddir bob blwyddyn ac a lofnodwyd yn bersonol gan y diweddar Frenhines Elizabeth II.
“Roedd yn cydnabod popeth roeddwn i wedi’i gyfrannu fel aelod ieuenctid. Roedd yn golygu’r byd.”
Pan ofynnwyd iddo beth sy'n ei gadw'n dod yn ôl, mae ei ateb yn syml: cymuned.
“Rhoi rhywbeth yn ôl i’ch cymuned leol, bod yn rhan o rywbeth mwy, dyna fy ngwobr go iawn. Hynny a gwisgo’r wisg. Mae’n eithaf cŵl.”
Wedi gofyn iddo a fyddai’n argymell ymuno ag St John Ambulance Cymru, dywedodd:
“Yn hollol. Gwnewch e. Manteisiwch ar y cyfle tra ei fod yno. Byddwch chi'n dysgu sgiliau a allai achub bywyd rhywun un diwrnod, efallai hyd yn oed anwylyd. A byddwch chi'n dod yn rhan o deulu ehangach. Dyna beth mae St John wedi bod i mi.”
Bron i 25 mlynedd i mewn, nid yw Richard yn dangos unrhyw arwyddion o roi'r gorau iddi. Mewn gwirionedd, mae eisoes yn meddwl ymlaen.
“Hoffwn barhau. Mae'r elusen wedi rhoi cymaint i mi. Rwyf am barhau i roi yn ôl.”
I gael rhagor o wybodaeth am sut allwch chi wirfoddoli, ewch i'n dudalen gwirfoddoli.
Mae Just in Case: Stories from St John ar gael ar bob prif blatfform podlediadau, gan gynnwys Spotify ac Apple Podcasts, gyda phenodau newydd yn cael eu rhyddhau bob mis.
Cliciwch y dolennau i wrando ar Apple Podcasts neu i wrando ar Spotify.
