At the tender age of six years, Megan Bolt asked her parents if she could become a St John Penguin, which is part of the St John Youth Cadet Programme. It focuses on first aid, health care, leadership and life skills, which saw the start of Megan’s passion for health care and mentoring. 

Almost 16 years later, 22 year old Megan is bringing her youth perspective to the (CCN) Canterbury Clinical Network Urgent Care Service Level Alliance (SLA).

CCN and St John New Zealand are partnering to identify and engage with young people aged between 18 and 24 years who are involved with the St John cadet programme. 
CCN Senior Project Facilitator Koral Fitzgerald, says there are six St John Youth bringing their experience, thoughts and ideas to various CCN groups in 2020.

“One of our areas of focus is to have meaningful engagement with a wider range of voices. These inspiring young people are extremely motivated and will bring so much to our groups,” says Koral.

Megan is also a leader for the Christchurch Number Three St John Youth Division and an operating theatre nurse at Christchurch Hospital. 

“When I saw the advert about joining a CCN group, it sparked my interest, so I did my own research and decided to jump at the opportunity. Because I work in acute operating theatres, I thought the Urgent Care SLA would be a good fit for me,” says Megan. 

“I went to my first meeting in February, which I found very interesting, but a bit intimidating. However, it was great to have a debrief with one of the members afterwards, which was more relaxed and gave me the opportunity to ask all the questions I had.”

“I’m now looking forward to getting stuck in and bring a young person’s perspective and opinion to the group. I also want to bring my experience as someone who has recently started working in the health system.”

Alliance Leadership Team member Michael McIlhone also became a St John Youth cadet at six years old in 1966 and throughout the next 14 years remained active in the ranks of St John. 

This involved many hours of voluntary first aid coverage of many sporting and public events over the years. It also exposed him to many local and national first aid competitions around the country. 

“There is no doubt in my mind that being a member of St John Cadets (as they were known in those days) influenced and laid the path for my nursing career that began in 1978,” says Michael. 

Michael is very enthusiastic and supportive of the involvement of youth and young people in health planning and indeed exposing them with good support and mentorship to the skills and expertise required in designing a health system. 

“The enthusiasm, plain thinking and the connection they have with the ‘real’ world will be welcomed by many of us and the refreshing perspective can only be of benefit to our community.”

One of the main reasons Megan joined St John was to meet new people from outside her own school. Similarly one of CCN’s focus is to bring different people and their perspectives together to help guide our groups. 

“I understand the importance of reaching different parts of the community.” 

“I know this is going to be a really good experience for me and I’m looking forward to learning how our health system works behind the scenes.” 

When asked how she will fit in her nursing career, St John leadership role and her CCN role, Megan says, that when you are passionate about something, it’s not a problem. 

Photos above:

1. Michael representing Canterbury and West Coast and Cathy Duggan from Wellington in 1976. 
2. The Fendalton Division St John Cadets in 1977 with Michael on the far right.