Follow us: hu Improving life after brain injury Need to talk? 0808 800 2244 Donate Home About brain injury Individuals Brain injury and me Robert Courtnell Share your story Share your story with us to help others affected by brain injury Robert Courtnell Volunteering for St John's is an excellent step to achieving my ambition Voluntary work can be very rewarding and enjoyable. Helping others and doing something productive can be a good way to boost self-confidence and help you back into a working routine. We spoke to St John’s Ambulance First Aider Robert Courtnell, 29, from Luton, about how volunteering has helped him following brain injury. How did you sustain your brain injury? In May 2015 I was in a road traffic incident in New Zealand. I’d just played in a rugby match and we were planning on celebrating our 42-0 win by going to a party. However, on the way, our driver lost control and the car was sent tumbling off the road into a field. I spent five weeks in hospital and a further six weeks in rehabilitation. How long have you been working for St John’s Ambulance Service? Since 2016 What made you want to be a first aider? I enjoy meeting new people and hearing their stories. I enjoy the challenges that come with helping people. What is the best thing about being a first aider? The appreciation from the public, and the free ice-cream from ice-cream vans! The best thing is knowing that I can assist in saving someone’s life should I need to. But, more commonly, just help make the individual’s current situation better by treating them effectively and efficiently. What is the most challenging thing about being a first aider? I’m always on “edge” waiting for someone who needs treatment. This means that at the end of a shift I’m exhausted, particularly when it’s been a long or busy duty. The other challenge is the variety of treatment that could be required, ranging from a small cut to someone in need of resuscitation. I’ve had ample training for every situation but the unknown factor can be scary. Do you think your brain injury helps you be a good first aider? It makes me want to help others. The treatment I received in rehabilitation in New Zealand made me appreciate those who helped me walk and live independently again. I was bed bound when I first arrived to the rehab centre and through their hard work I was able to walk onto the plane back to England, unaided without crutches. The efforts of the team who helped me inspire me to be a good first aider. What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about volunteering following a brain injury? Find whatever is it that you enjoy doing, and be generous devoting your time to it. Learning first aid has been something I wanted to be trained in and I want to go further. What are your hobbies/interests? I no longer play rugby so I’ve filled that void with playing golf, cycling and reading. I try to get out of the house when I can. What hopes do you have for the future? My dream has changed since the accident and I’m currently hoping to train and become a paramedic. It might take a bit of time but I look forward to the challenge. Volunteering for St John’s is an excellent step to achieving my ambition. Back to stories index Volunteer Find out more 7 tips for volunteering after brain injury Find out more Related resources Redeveloping skills after brain injury Returning to work after brain injury Voluntary work after brain injury Friends of Headway Individual membership Join/Renew Contact Us t: 0115 924 0800 e: enquiries@headway.org.uk Help us improve life after brain injury. Donate Improving life after brain injury 0808 800 2244 Call our free helpline 9am - 5pm, Monday to Friday. Or email helpline@headway.org.uk Join our online Community 27k Likes 25k Followers 3k Subscribers Privacy policy Cookies Terms & Conditions Accessibility Contact Us Resource centre Find a Headway Approved care providers Charity shops Fundraising comments, feedback and complaints Vacancies Join our mailing list Headway - the brain injury association is registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (Charity no. 1025852) and the Office of the Scottish Regulator (Charity no. SC 039992). Headway is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England no. 2346893. © Copyright Headway 2021 - Site designed and developed by MEDIAmaker By clicking 'Accept All Cookies’ you agree to the storing of cookies on your device. This will help us to offer the best possible experience and develop more of the information you need. Accept All Cookies Cookies Settings