St John Ambulance in the Isle of Man is to benefit from a major change of structure in the charity nationally.
 
The charity has its origins in the Knights Hospitaller and traces its life-saving work back to the time of the Crusades. Having been forced out of its headquarters in Malta by Napoleon in the 18th century, it was resurrected in England in the 19th century by Queen Victoria as a provider and teacher of first aid in support of public occasions.  
 
Under its full title as an Order of Chivalry – the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem – a reorganisation in 1999 created the Priory of England and the Islands, which included the Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey, treating them English counties.
 
Now – next month – the Island, like the two Channel Islands, will become a Commandery, or autonomous entity.
 
The change will make no difference to the vital first aid cover provided at events large and small the Island over.
 
However, it means it will be a Manx charity, overseen by local trustees, and will have greater control over its assets, fund-raising and policy-making, while retaining links to the best practice, first aid-wise, with the UK body.
 
The change of structure sees Professor Roger Berry retire from his long-standing role as chairman of St John Ambulance Isle of Man, to be replaced by current Commander, Dr Iain Kewley, Chief Clinical Information Officer for the Department of Health.
 
Dr Kewley’s proper title, in the Order of St John, will be Knight Commander.
 
He said: ‘These changes mean that SJA Isle of Man can more closely tailor its work to meet the needs of the Island in a manner that is not always possible under the influence of a UK national charity, whose priorities have to be driven by wider concerns.
 
‘Nonetheless, we continue to be part of the St John Ambulance family and provide first aid and training services to the national standards and our busy youth section will benefit from the links with the UK.’  Stepping into Dr Kewley’s shoes as head of the operational side of the charity, in the re-titled position of Chief Officer, will be Bill Castelow.
 
An engineer with the MEA, Mr Castelow got involved with the charity eight years ago after attending a first aid at work course and signing up his son up for the Cadets.
 
He undertakes duties at many of the events at which St John Ambulance offers first aid cover and has been a Community First Responder for Ballaugh for five years.
 
For the last two years he has been Deputy Principal Youth Officer, with responsibility not only for the existing Badger and Cadet youth groups but also expanding St John’s youth work. He organised the first all-Island Badger and Cadet camp this summer.  
 
‘I am honoured and humbled to be selected as the new Chief Officer of St John Ambulance Isle of Man,’ Mr Castelow said. ‘Like many charities in the current climate, we face challenges, including increasing our visibility and our membership, but the new structure should give us more freedom to make our own decisions.
 
‘I am also privileged to follow on as operational head of the charity from Dr Kewley, who has led us with great gusto over the last six years.’
 
The Commandery will be inaugurated at a service at St George’s Church, Douglas, at 2pm on Sunday 14th October. Many senior figures from the Priory of England will travel to the Island to attend the ticket-only service and the celebration afterwards.
 
Dr Kewley said: ‘The establishment of a Commandery will allow us more flexibility in our local decision-making, fundraising, and policy implementation. For members and – crucially – the public, there should be little change obvious in the day-to-day running of the organisation. However, it will make our future more secure and ensure that money raised on the Island stays on the Island.’
 
St John Ambulance relies entirely on the money it raises from commercial training, attending events and donations.
 
For further information about St John Ambulance Isle of Man or to find out how to sign up for first aid courses, volunteer or support its work via donations, please ring 01624 674387 or visit www.sja.org.uk/sja/counties/isle-of-man.aspx.
 
The public is invited to a talk by Colonel Sheenah Davies, the Priory of England’s Hospitaller, about the eye hospital in Jerusalem, which is maintained by the Order of St John. It takes place at St John Ambulance Headquarters in Glencrutchery Road, Road, Douglas, on Monday 15th October at 7pm, lasts an hour and is free to attend.