Young Responders Gains Momentum

The Young Responders programme is continuing to make an impact in the Humber region.

Developed by health charity St John Ambulance, the initiative teaches 11 to 25-year-olds "street first aid" skills. These skills include responding to incidents of street violence and crime (such as vape spiking), managing catastrophic bleeds and understanding the mental health impact of emergency situations. Along with teaching young people street first aid, the programme builds their confidence and helps them contribute to safer local communities.

The Humber Violence Prevention Partnership and Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner jointly funded £30,969 to expand the programme across the local area. The free sessions are being delivered in schools, educational settings and youth organisations to reach young people who may be at risk of serious violence, who are NEET (not in employment, education or training), care leavers or those in the care system.

Recently, The Marvell College in Hull booked 41 street first aid sessions, reaching 756 young people.

Dean Reacher, Assistant Headteacher at The Marvell College, said: "We feel it is an important part of students’ personal development to be able to learn street first aid skills. It adds to students’ life skills to help support loved ones and the wider community if required."

Islay Havlin, the Young Responders Facilitator for the Humber region, added: "Throughout my time at The Marvell College, I experienced and spoke to people from every walk of life. Whether they lived in a high or low deprivation area, they were all familiar with the rise in spiking incidents and the problematic issue of carrying knives.

"Some of the individuals had some first aid experience but still learnt something from the techniques we teach, using things they carry out and about with them.

"Throughout the sessions I hosted, their confidence levels rose. The pupils now have the necessary skills to tackle a range of situations."

By November 2025, the local Young Responders team expects to reach 2,500 young people and actual attendance figures continue to grow. This exceeds their original target of 1,500 young people, which the team now aims to double by the end of March 2026.

To learn more about the programme and book a session, please click the button below.