What first drew Jess to St John Ambulance Victoria was simple.

“The uniforms and ambulances looked like the coolest thing ever,” she laughed.

But what began as curiosity quickly became something much bigger.

At 14 years old, Jess joined St John’s Youth Program after her mum encouraged her to give it a go. With a growing interest in healthcare and helping others, she attended her first session not quite knowing what to expect. She never looked back.

“From the first Thursday night, I absolutely loved it,” Jess said. “The camps, the training, the badges, the awards, the events; it was just incredible.”

Today, Jess credits the Youth Program not only for teaching her lifesaving skills, but for shaping her confidence, empathy and personal growth.

“It helped me develop as a person,” she said. “Confidence, patience, understanding other people’s perspectives, all of that came from St John.”

And when a real emergency unfolded at a major Melbourne running event, those skills were put to the test.

The event was busy, with thousands of runners crossing the finish line exhausted after completing a marathon. Jess had been assisting patients throughout the day alongside experienced volunteers when a call suddenly came through: a man had collapsed.

“We were told to hurry,” Jess recalled. “People were yelling that someone needed help urgently, and I knew straight away this was serious.”

When Jess and fellow first responder Mel arrived, a member of the public had already started CPR. Drawing on her St John training, Jess immediately moved into action.

“I grabbed the defibrillator and airway equipment while Mel managed the patient and communications,” she said.

The patient was unconscious and not breathing.

“It was definitely adrenaline,” Jess admitted. “A little bit frightening because you think, ‘What if I do the wrong thing?’ But through my training and experience at events, I knew what needed to happen next.”

Working together with the broader medical team, the volunteers helped stabilise the patient before he was transported to the St John medical assistance team onsite, with 30 beds, life support equipment, emergency physicians and a team of health professionals. Thankfully, he survived.

For Jess, the experience reinforced just how valuable the St John Youth Program truly is.

“If I hadn’t been trained by St John, I would never have been able to help in a cardiac arrest,” she said. “Even simple things like helping someone with a sprain or cut, you gain skills that genuinely help people.”

The Youth Program gives young people hands-on first aid training, leadership opportunities, mentoring and real-world event experience, all within a supportive environment where they can learn alongside experienced volunteers and healthcare professionals.

 Jess says that environment made all the difference.

“Being around people with more experience boosts your confidence,” she said. “Everyone supports you and wants you to learn.”

The program also helped shape Jess’s future career aspirations.

Originally interested in paramedicine after seeing paramedics care for her younger sister following a serious burn injury, Jess later discovered nursing through conversations with volunteers at St John events.

“Hearing their stories and learning from them made me realise healthcare is absolutely where I want to be,” she said.

Now, Jess encourages other young people to take the same leap she did.

“Even if you’re unsure, just give it a go,” she said. “You learn incredible skills, meet amazing people and you could one day help save someone’s life.”

This National Volunteer Week, Jess’s story highlights the impact St John’s Youth Program continues to have, empowering young people with the confidence, skills and compassion to step forward when their community needs them most.