Young people encouraged to join the Irish Red Cross

A KINGSWOOD woman is aiming to get the youth section of the Irish Red Cross in Tallaght up and running after it folded at the onset of the pandemic – and she is appealing to young people to take part.

Elaine Boyd, 27, joined the Irish Red Cross three years ago after doing some first aid courses in college, and she enjoyed both developing new first aid skills and meeting new people.

She’s hoping to pass this enjoyment on to young people aged between 12 and 16 inclusive in the newly relaunched youth section, which folded in March 2020 as a result of the pandemic.

Explaining what young people joining the Irish Red Cross stand to gain from the experience, Elaine said: “We train them in first aid, the basics like CPR, sprains and burns, and we also play games and take them on trips.

“I think more kids should have a basic understanding of first aid – you never know when you might need it, it could be at home or when you’re out when something happens.”

Learning these basic skills also helps to build confidence, according to Elaine, and the young people will be taught how to apply these new skills at the group’s weekly meetings.

The youth section of the Irish Red Cross will begin meeting weekly next month in Tallaght University Hospital, and any young people with an interest in developing new skills are encouraged to come along.

“Just come up, and give it a shot,” said Elaine. “Give it a few weeks and if you enjoy it you can continue with it. If you don’t, then you don’t have to commit to it, and membership is free.”

To register your or your child’s interest in joining the youth section of the Tallaght branch of the Irish Red Cross, or if you would like to volunteer as a youth leader, email Elaine at youth.tallaght@irishredcross.com