St John to Discontinue Key Community Programs Amid Strategic Shift

St John Ambulance, a well-known emergency service provider in New Zealand, has announced plans to discontinue several community programs, including hospital volunteer services, community carers, and pet therapy initiatives. The decision, outlined in an email to volunteers, is part of the organization’s broader 10-year strategic review aimed at focusing its limited resources on areas where it can make the most significant impact.

In a statement, St John emphasized that the move is not financially motivated but rather a strategic refocusing. The organization currently has 1,100 volunteers working in hospital emergency departments, offering support to patients, their families, and long-stay residents. These volunteers also visit rest homes, reading to residents and assisting with grocery shopping.

Deputy Chief Executive Pete Loveridge described the decision as