The Order of St John

St John is a working Order of Chivalry and a modern organisation delivering first aid, healthcare and support services around the world.

In the Service of Humanity

St John promotes physical, mental and spiritual health and resilience in 44 countries, mostly in the Commonwealth. The Order delivers its charitable activities through local St John Ambulance organisations and the St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital in Jerusalem.

Each Year, St John organisations train more than 2 million people in first aid and other healthcare activities. Worldwide, we treat over 1.2 million and reach more than 2.5 million beneficiaries with our services. We are linking local communities to national health services and increase community resilience through our programmes.

Find out more about how we increase community resilience

St John International

The International Secretariat of the Order – called St John International – is the supporting body for St John organisations. We are providing support services, based on individual assessments of the current activities and needs of our local organisation.

Community volunteers

At our core of our work are the 200,000 St John volunteers who give their own time, effort, and expertise to help others. They come from the local communities they are working in, and improve the lives of their own family, friends and neighbours through our services, while strengthening community resilience. Our volunteers are wearing the eight-pointed cross on their uniforms, proud to be part of our worldwide charitable movement.

Read here why Greg from St Lucia became a St John Volunteer.

Youth

St John empowers future generations to achieve their full potential. Our various worldwide youth programmes prepare children for community services. Children and adolescents learn essential first aid and home nursing skills, but also develop leadership abilities; today’s young volunteers are tomorrow’s doctors, first aid trainers, paramedics and life savers.

The chivalric Order

The Order of St John, formally known as The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem, is a Royal Order of Chivalry first constituted as such by Royal Charter from Queen Victoria in 1888. Currently, His Majesty King Charles III is the Sovereign Head of The Order of St John.

Read about our governance

Our work follows the twin motto of
Pro Fide and Pro Utilitate Hominum
(for the Faith and in the Service of Humanity).

The Order of St John is a Christian Order, found on Christian principles and what we do is motivated by Christian ideals. However, our services are open to everyone, and our members and volunteers come from all faiths and no faith. Christian clerics look after the welfare of St John staff and volunteers, as do Imams and Buddhist monks in some of the countries where we operate.

Latest

Storm Freddy returns to Malawi

All of us across the St John world were incredibly saddened to learn of the devastation that Cyclone Freddy has caused along its path – A message from our Lord Prior Prof Mark Compton
St John Ambulance take over the emergency service in Alderney

St John Ambulance and Rescue Service (SJARS) in Guernsey was appointed in October 2022 by the States of Alderney to take operational responsibility for the ambulance service in Alderney from the start of April 2023.
"Women are extremely capable, ambitious, experienced, and ready to serve and lead"

To mark International Women’s Day, on Wednesday 8 March 2023, we sat down with Sally Hasler, Dame of the Order of St John and Chair of the St John International Women’s Network.
Timor-Leste communities will receive first aid training.

St John Tasmania is to provide first aid training and basic pre-hospital health care support to disadvantaged communities on the island of Atauro in Timor-Leste.

Vale Archbishop Desmond Tutu

It is with great sadness that our St John family learned of the passing of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Bailiff Grand Cross of our Most Venerable Order, and former Prior of St John South Africa.
Governor General of Canada invested and installed.

Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada was invested as a Dame of Justice and installed as the Prior of the Priory of Canada.
A Christmas greeting to all five Johannine Orders.

Reflecting on a memorable visit to the Johanniter Swiss Commandery twelfth century stronghold Bubikon in late September – a wonderful moment of unity in prayer and festivity – we wish a blessed and happy Christmas and New Year to all.
International Volunteer Day: Celebrating volunteers around the world

This International Volunteer Day (IVD), we not only celebrate volunteerism in all its facets – but also pay special tribute to people's participation in making a difference locally, nationally and globally.
St John Solomon Islands assists people during violent riots

Since the outbreak of violent anti-government riots in the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific, our national St John organisation has played a major role in maintaining ambulance services for people affected.
Better connected with GoodSAM

St John PNG launched GoodSAM, a free app that will help St John ambulance control centres locate people in need of urgent medical care.
St John Ghana receives Queen's Baton

The baton travels all Commonwealth countries ahead of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Tissue donors honoured with special award

HRH The Duke of Gloucester launched the St John Tissue Donation Awards to honour people posthumously for their tissue donation.
Vale Palmer Hamilton

It is with extreme sadness that we heard of the passing of our friend, colleague and former Prior of the Priory in the USA, Palmer Hamilton KStJ, following sudden illness.
St John celebrates Restart a Heart Day

Restart a Heart Day is held every October to encourage more people to learn CPR and life-saving skills through first aid training.