10. Katie Devey - Bench Talk with Jo Hilditch

There are some very impressive young people in Herefordshire. One of those such people is Katie Devey, a St John Ambulance cadet - Jo’s podcastee of the day. Having joined up as a ‘badger’, aged 5 she has clocked up 10 years of voluntary service in this amazing community charity based on historic roots. St John is a volunteer-led health and first aid charity that responds to emergencies, supports communities and saves lives. We talk about the history of St John, being a teenager in Covid, how Herefordshire needs to listen to its young people, her dedication to the St John Ambulance and her clear sighted ambition to become a paramedic. She is passionate about Herefordshire and all it has to offer - Katie is a brilliant example of how volunteering can change your life. At only 15 she is mature beyond her years, with a very clear idea about her destiny. Wish I had been so focussed at such an early age!

The bench today is in the beautiful courtyard of the old Coningsby Hospital and Museum. The sounds off are wheeling seagulls, Hereford traffic and some of the old almshouse residents arriving back with their shopping!

References:

St John Ambulance: www.sja.org.uk

Coningsby House Museum: www.coningsbyhopsital.co.uk

Aylestone School: www.aylestone.org.uk

Hereford 6th Form: www.hereford.ac.uk

Matrix Hereford: www.matrixhereford.co.uk

Green Spider: www.spiderclimbing.com

Flip Out Hereford: www.flipout.co.uk

The Odeon Cinema Hereford: www.odeon.co.uk/cinemas/hereford/?

Herefordshire High Sheriff: www.highsheriffherefordshire.org

Hereford Boxing Centre: https://m.facebook.com/southwyepoliceboxingacademy/

Shobdon Food and Flying Festival: www.shobdonfoodandflyingfestival.co.uk

Visit Herefordshire: www.visitherefordshire.co.uk