Meet Amy - one of our pioneer volunteers
Pioneer volunteers are the first people to volunteer from a region. They help us to kickstart activity in that region.
Meet Amy, an amazing pioneer volunteer from the North East of England who has enlisted some friends and colleagues to volunteer and has already generated training requests from schools in that region.
Hi Amy, please could you tell us a little about yourself, your background and how you discovered the charity?
In 2022, I began training as a paramedic at the University of Sunderland, where I witnessed firsthand the critical role of bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in saving lives. This experience inspired me to teach others these vital skills. While researching opportunities to get involved, I came across Little LifeSavers and was immediately drawn to its mission. I knew right away that I wanted to volunteer and help empower others with lifesaving knowledge.
What drew you to our charity in particular?
I was drawn to Little LifeSavers because of its dedication to equipping people with life-saving skills in an accessible and impactful way. As a student paramedic, I’ve seen firsthand how critical bystander CPR can be, and I wanted to be part of a charity that actively empowers the public to make a difference in emergencies.
What stood out to me about Little LifeSavers was not only its mission, but also the sense of community it fosters. The photos and testimonials showed a hands-on, positive learning environment where volunteers are truly making an impact. I knew immediately that I wanted to help build confidence in school children so that more lives can be saved.
When you started just a few months ago, we didn’t have any active volunteers in your area. How have you turned this around and managed to recruit a team so quickly?
I contacted a lecturer at my university and asked them to share information about the charity with all paramedic students, hoping to inspire others to get involved. Fortunately, several students from the paramedic science cohorts were eager to join, helping to expand the reach of Little LifeSavers.
What advice/top tips could you give to other LLS volunteers who are also looking to build a team in their area?
It can seem overwhelming at first if you’re the only volunteer in your area, but I’ve found that an email or two goes a long way. I’d recommend to first start by reaching out to friends or family members who might be interested in joining the charity. From there, you could consider emailing acquaintances, work colleagues, or local community groups. Posting flyers on noticeboards and sharing Little LifeSavers’ social media content can also help spread the word.
You’ve not just managed to build a team; you’ve also generated some school session requests already too. Can you tell us how you did this?
Little LifeSavers provides an incredible opportunity for healthcare students to practice and maintain essential skills while supporting their ongoing professional development. Volunteering also helps develop mentorship abilities, which will be invaluable in our future careers.
For anyone considering getting involved, I want to emphasise the meaningful impact you can have on your community. CPR is a simple yet vital skill to learn and teach, and Little LifeSavers offers unwavering support throughout the process. There’s a real possibility that you, or a child you’ve taught, could one day face a situation where CPR is needed. I firmly believe that everyone should have the chance to learn how to save a life.
Is there anything else that you’d like to add?
Little LifeSavers is an incredible charity, and I’m always happy to help in any way I can. Whether you’re a volunteer or considering getting involved, please feel free to reach out with any questions as I’d love to share my experience and support others in making a difference!
We’d like to say a HUGE thank you for all your hard work so far. It’s fantastic to see training requests in your area already on the system.
Thank you so much for your support! I’m excited to see the charity continue to grow and to help teach even more Little LifeSavers in the future!
Little LifeSavers teaches Basic Life Support (BLS) Skills and CPR to children from ages 9 – 13 within school in term-time. There is no fee for the training. However, if your school would like to fundraise for our charity, then this would be gratefully received.
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