SCAS celebrates National Cadet Week with lifesaving skills and teamwork
South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SCAS) was proud to support the first-ever National Cadet Week, with colleagues and volunteers taking part in two events to inspire young people, share lifesaving skills and celebrate the valuable contribution of the Cadet Forces.
The events, held at Thames Valley Police’s training centre in Sulhamstead on 11 October and at Havant Army Cadet Force on 14 October, brought together young people, emergency service colleagues and volunteers for practical activities, first aid training and opportunities to learn more about careers in the ambulance service.
More than 90 cadets take on emergency challenges at Sulhamstead
On Sunday 11 October, more than 90 young people from the Army Cadet Force, Air Cadets and Thames Valley Police Cadets came together at Sulhamstead for a large-scale, multi-agency training event.
Organised in partnership with Thames Valley Police, the event offered cadets an action-packed day of learning, teamwork and leadership, with realistic scenarios designed to challenge their communication, decision-making and practical skills.
Working in groups, cadets rotated through activities delivered by emergency service colleagues, Armed Forces personnel and volunteers. These included basic life support, CPR, emergency first aid, leadership exercises and simulated incidents.
The activities encouraged cadets to work together, respond to challenges and develop their confidence in dealing with emergencies, while gaining a better understanding of how different services collaborate to protect and support their communities.
The day also provided an opportunity to explore the wide range of roles and career pathways available within the emergency services and Armed Forces.
Throughout the event, cadets demonstrated enthusiasm, teamwork and a willingness to learn, impressing those involved with their commitment and approach to the challenges.
Putting first aid skills to the test in Havant
On Wednesday 14 October, around 20 cadets aged 12 to 18 from Havant Army Cadet Force enjoyed an interactive evening with SCAS colleagues and volunteers.
Emergency Care Assistant George, Military Co-Responder Rich Burgess, and Community First Responders Tom Melton and Caitlin Woombs introduced the cadets to the ambulance service, sharing insights into their roles and the different career and volunteering opportunities available within SCAS.
Cadets were then invited to explore the emergency vehicles, ask questions and discover more about the equipment and skills used by ambulance crews.
The evening concluded with practical first aid scenarios, giving cadets an opportunity to put their existing knowledge into practice, develop their confidence and learn from the experience of the SCAS team.
Reflecting on the visit, George said:
“It was a pleasure to visit the Havant Army Cadet Force unit as part of the first-ever National Cadet Week and show our support for the organisation.
“It was fantastic to see the cadets’ enthusiasm and engagement throughout the evening, particularly during the practical scenarios where they demonstrated their existing first aid skills.
“We were proud to support the cadets and the exceptional adult volunteers who dedicate their time to helping young people develop new skills.”
Supporting the Armed Forces community
SCAS’s involvement in National Cadet Week reflects the trust’s ongoing commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant.
As a signatory of the Covenant, SCAS is committed to supporting serving personnel, veterans, reservists and those who volunteer with the Cadet Forces.
A number of SCAS colleagues also volunteer as Cadet Force Adult Volunteers alongside their roles within the trust, helping young people aged 12 to 18 develop valuable life skills, confidence, leadership and teamwork.
By supporting events such as these, SCAS can recognise the dedication of its colleagues who volunteer with the Cadet Forces, strengthen relationships with partner organisations and inspire the next generation through practical learning and career opportunities.
The joint event at Sulhamstead marked an exciting first collaboration with Thames Valley Police for National Cadet Week, with hopes of building on its success in future years.
A huge thank you to all SCAS colleagues, volunteers, partner organisations and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers who helped make both events possible, and to the cadets for their enthusiasm, energy and commitment throughout the celebrations.