Volunteer of the Year 2014

There is always something to strive for in life no matter what life throws at you

What do I enjoy about my role within St John Ambulance

SJA Fellowship Coffee morning Fund raising event

Being part of the SJA training team and that my role also helps volunteers develop within the organisation and gives them the opportunity to take on new roles within the organisation.  Also has part of this high level of training  is life changing.  The  first aid skills can be used at home, work or during leisure activities.  

The role of District Training Officer always with my guide dog Flora by my side,

Carol with her faithful and trusted guide dog 

Flora who is always on duty

The role of DTO has given me the opportunity to oversee all the units within my area to maintain standards and training for all volunteers. Alongside DTO  I have also continued to be a trainer, this in itself means that I can still take an active role within the units and that other volunteers can see that having any disability is not a barrier within the organisation.

Since taking on the role of the DTO has given me a much deeper involvement within the educational training programme.  I now have to be more involved at district and regional meetings. I link between the unit managers, area managers and the regional training team. The role of the DTO has given me the opportunity to oversee all the training requirements within my area to maintain training for all volunteers of all ages.

On taking on the DTO role it has kept me abreast of all new changes within the training programme and has not in any way stopped me from continuing as a trainer delivering a variety of modules to all age groups within the organisation. I would recommend taking on any new challenge whether it be in the educational team or providing first aid cover. I have also been invited onto the newly formed Learning forum, NHQ London, so watch this space.

Here are just a few reasons why I remain involved with St John Ambulance along with my guide dog Flora

Carol with Tess Daly for Volunteer of the Year, SJA

Since joining St John Ambulance in 1968 as a Cadet, I have provided hundreds of hours of first aid cover enter first aid and nursing competitions, helping out with school competitions and, having, taken over a struggling Badger and Cadet unit in 2000, relaunched Burntwood’s adult unit in 2008, building the total unit up to nearly 100 volunteers at its peak.

Despite suffering a serious loss of vision in early 2012, which means I now requires the assistance of my guide dog, Flora, and having to change my role, I have continued in my effort to ensure that more people know first aid. I have since taken on the role of District Training Officer (DTO) for the County of Staffordshire, and continue as a trainer, assists with the youth when requested and also a member of the Tamworth SJA Fellowship branch.

Back in 2012 my role as unit manager due to the circumstances had to change and I offered to become a DTO in Staffordshire.

About Carol and Flora

I am severely visually impaired (blind) and require the assistance of my guide dog or other mobility aid in order to make journeys independently. I have currently only 20% vision, to which I lost the greater part of my sight in early 2012. 

Despite being registered visually impaired (VIP) I still maintain and run my own business. In my spare time I undertake voluntary work for St John Ambulance in the role of District Training Officer in Staffordshire. I also go out to local schools and groups to give talks on Guide Dogs to help raise awareness for the organisation. 

In 2013 I wanted a challenge so I created along with my husband and daughter a self-help group, Burntwood Insight Group, to help other people in the local area with visual impairment. We have grown in size with a variety of ages and eye conditions to come together once a month to have a cup of tea and socialise. 

Whilst all of this had happened I received my first guide dog, Flora, following my assessment through Guide Dogs. Flora has given me such freedom and independence to carry on my everyday life from travelling down to London to even popping to the local supermarket. However, along this eventual journey I continually share with Flora the road of ups and downs has set different challenges. 

Through this blog I wish to share my journey with you all through the eyes of Flora and I.