In late November, an Austrian Volunteer from Vienna visited our colleagues in London, UK.
He got to see the Museum of the Order of St John, which is located at St John’s Gate and gives people the opportunity to learn more about the 900-year-long history of St John. Starting with the beginnings of an ancient religious military Order, all the way to the modern and professional organization that we all know today.
St John in England also provides medical aid at a lot of sporting events, and luckily, Lukas was able to attend a football match at the Emirates Stadium on the 21st of November 2024. Although it was almost freezing, people were highly motivated to support their favourite football club at this Arsenal vs. Juventus Women match. Here is what he got to say:
All „Johnnys“ warm heartedly welcomed me and were really nice during my whole stay. Football is very important in England, and it was a great opportunity to see the match from this side and what it takes behind the scenes to provide the medical aid. Various treatment rooms, equipment, ambulances, and staff, from first-aiders to a doctor, were on standby all the time.
Fortunately, there were only minor incidents and the visitors could enjoy a safe game. I was really impressed by how routined and professional St John operated and how they coordinated the whole event, which included communication with the LAS and their own mobile units on scene. I want to thank Mark Broughton, Chris Cassidy, and Tom Leimer for the organizational support upfront. Without them, the whole trip wouldn’t have been possible. I also want to thank Alex Snow, who led the event on location and provided me with all the details, as well as Matt Jones, who was very kind to show me really everything there was, including a regional ambulance base on the day after!
There are differences in organization and procedures, and we all can still learn from each other. But there are far more things that we have in common, and it was very delightful to see the same compassion the staff serves the community with abroad, that I know from home. With all those fascinating insights and kind people I met, it was truly an experience I will never forget.