The Irish Red Cross is thrilled to share with you an exciting new programme rolling out in 2024, which aims to attract youth to join as members – Generation Heroes.
Generation Heroes is based on the steady success of its originators in the Irish Red Cross Limerick City branch for several years. The campaign is geared towards senior cycle secondary school students, who will embark on their “Hero Training” for a period that runs along a school academic year. The campaign brings together a Practical First Aid course and a combination of any other programmes you are comfortable to deliver. This formula will hopefully keep your commitment flexible and ensure you are comfortable with the content you are delivering. It would be envisaged that classes would run on a weekly basis throughout the school academic year, from late September until year-end (May).
This programme is delivered by Irish Red Cross members with FAR and is aimed at senior cycle secondary school students (particularly students in their transition year (4th year). The programme also works well as part of community events.
What is involved?
- The programme can span anything from 32 weeks to a few weeks, following the school year, with participants attending a two-hour in-person training session each week – this time frame can be flexible with the option to start at a later date as some branches may choose to start later in the year, and run the programme for a shorter period of time;
- Training sessions will cover the Practical First Aid syllabus and include floor tests where participants will learn how to initiate first aid to patients;
- Other programmes that the branch has capacity to deliver.
What will participants gain?
- Completion of a Practical First Aid course that they can draw on for life;
- Insights into the work of the Irish Red Cross, both locally and globally;
- An understanding of the importance of our 7 Fundamental Principles, specifically neutrality, impartiality and independence in humanitarian work;
- The value of volunteering and supporting their community;
- The first step on the journey to potentially becoming a member with Irish Red Cross
What is the expectation on the branch?
- Branches interested in participating in the Generation Heroes programme need to register their interest with generationheroes@redcross.ie and we can advise on next steps;
- We will host a registration portal on our website, where interested branches will be included. The landing page is where parents, teachers and youth are directed to by our PR materials to sign up to the programme;
- We will provide leaflets and posters which can be distributed in schools or at other community locations. The active recruitment process asks branches to reach out to their respective schools to arrange time in front of and with students, which has been found to be very effective. To facilitate this process, we will provide print materials and talking points;
- Branches can advise us on which FAR qualified members they want to put forward to do the Instructor Techniques training (this cost needs to be absorbed by branches).
How does the branch benefit?
This initiative targets youth into branches, with materials that have been specifically tailored to youth.
Branches can charge students for the course, agreeing an appropriate cost, with 100% of the charge being retained by the branch. We advise the cost to be €75 per student for the school year or on a pro-rata basis, if shorter. The cost the branch charges will be left for you to decide upon considering standard programme costs, include certificate cost of €10 for Practical First Aid or venue cost (if any).
What qualifications does a member need to deliver this programme?
- Instructors must be trained in FAR and Instructors Techniques. If you have only FAR, we encourage you to express your interest in Instructors Techniques training, as soon as next course becomes available;
- Garda vetting is required;
- Completion of Safeguarding training.
Please email generationheroes@redcross.ie if you have any queries relating to the above.