Just in Case: Stories from St John is the official podcast from St John Ambulance Cymru, sharing powerful true stories from the frontline of first aid. Hosted by Sam Cook, each episode takes you behind the scenes with the volunteers, medics and first aiders who make a lifesaving difference across Wales — often in the moments that matter most.
Deputy Chief Commissioner Richard Baxter shares his experiences of almost 25 years volunteering with St John Ambulance Cymru, from becoming a Cadet aged 13 and achieving a range of awards, to helping save lives and even meeting the Dalai Lama.
22 May 2026
Millie-Mae Adams
In this episode, we chat with medical student and former Miss Wales, Millie-Mae Adams, about her "full-circle" return to St John Ambulance Cymru as their newest Ambassador. Millie-Mae shares how her early days as a Cadet shaped her surgical ambitions, the night her first-aid instincts saved a stranger's life, and her mission to smash the "fear factor" around medical emergencies using social media and Welsh-language outreach.
12 May 2026
Caroline Whittaker
Meet Lieutenant Colonel Caroline Whittaker MBE, a veteran nursing officer and Army Reservist who has dedicated over 20 years to volunteering with St John Ambulance Cymru.
In this episode, Caroline shares the "pleasant surprise" of receiving her MBE and details her experience at Windsor Castle. From the frontlines of Iraq and Afghanistan to the sidelines of Rammstein concerts, she discusses the camaraderie of service and the vital skills she’s brought back to Wales.
8 May 2026
Kerrie Aldridge
In this episode, St John Ambulance Cymru’s National Safeguarding Manager Kerrie Aldridge shares how her journey from a young Badger inspired her to transform safeguarding into a visible, collective culture of empathy. Drawing on her personal history of overcoming childhood challenges, Kerrie discusses her mission to move beyond rigid policies toward a community-driven approach where everyone plays a role in protecting one another.
22 Apr 2026
Belinda James
In this episode, we explore St John Ambulance Cymru’s ambitious goal to achieve a ‘Mentally Healthy Wales’ by 2030. Join Belinda James, Lead Commercial Trainer, as she breaks down the staggering impact of the mental health crisis and explains why mental health first aid is just as critical as physical first aid.
2 Apr 2026
Mike Flanagan
In this episode, we sit down with Mike Flanagan, St John Ambulance Cymru's Assistant Chief Commissioner for South and East Wales, to explore an extraordinary 30-year journey of voluntary service. Mike shares the experiences that shaped his lifelong commitment to helping others and opens up about what it feels like to be nominated for the Mayor’s Citizenship Award.
27 Feb 2026
Event Responders
In this inspiring episode, we celebrate a major milestone: three student volunteers are among the first in Wales to qualify as Event Responders. Charlotte Johnson, Poppy Willis and Harry Marsh share their journey through months of intensive training, assessments and personal growth to achieve this new clinical skill level.
12 Dec 2025
Darren Murray
While most of Wales is winding down for Christmas, St John Ambulance Cymru is gearing up for one of its busiest times of the year. In this episode, Darren Murray, Head of Response Operations, takes us behind the scenes of the charity’s festive frontline. Darren reflects on the scale of the operation, the dedication of volunteers who give up time with their families and the quiet, life-changing impact their work has across Wales.
7 Nov 2025
Paul Griffiths
In this episode, Sam sits down with Paul Griffiths, Prior for Wales at St John Ambulance Cymru, to uncover the unlikely beginning of his journey with the charity. Paul explains how supporting his son’s Duke of Edinburgh first aid training drew him into the organisation, eventually leading him from volunteering in Newport to chairing the board and becoming Prior.
10 Oct 2025
Richard Lee
In this episode of Just in Case: Stories from St John, host Sam Cook sits down with Richard Lee, CEO of St John Ambulance Cymru. Richard shares why he believes mental health first aid is just as vital as physical care, how volunteers changed the course of the pandemic, and why he still pulls on his paramedic uniform to work frontline shifts.
12 Sept 2025
Andrew Jenkins
In this episode, BBC The Traitors finalist Andrew Jenkins shares his powerful journey from surviving a near-fatal car crash to becoming an advocate for mental health first aid. His story is one of resilience, silence, and ultimately using lived experience to help others speak up and seek support.
1 Aug 2025
Chris Edwards
In the debut episode of Just in Case: Stories from St John, host Sam Cook sits down with Chris Edwards, a runner who collapsed just metres from the finish line of the Porthcawl 10K after suffering a sudden cardiac arrest.
With no warning signs and no time to spare, it was the swift response from St John Ambulance Cymru volunteers that made the difference between life and death. In this powerful conversation, Chris shares his emotional journey of survival and recovery.
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