Description of organisation

Red Cross Youth aims at spreading the Red Cross ideals among youngsters. This happens through regular meetings in 103 local branches where games and fun are linked to educational Red Cross contents. At local level, 1000 Red Cross Youth volunteers (+16) organize a wide range of activities for kids and youngsters between 6 and 15 years old. Our five Red Cross areas (first aid, social work, international work, blood transfusions and relief) are to be found throughout our activities:

First Aid
From grazes to heart massage…at Red Cross Youth everyone can learn about first aid! Youth monitors organize initiations for kids and youngsters. Other (youth) movements have the opportunity to buy a first aid kit at a democratic price.

Social Work
Red Cross Youth sticks its neck out for people who don’t always have an easy life. Local branches organize activities like afternoon plays in old peoples homes, activities for kids with a handicap…
Also, every summer a group of youth leaders organizes fantastic camps for kids who live in centers for asylum seekers.

International Work
Red Cross Youth is a member of the large international Red Cross family. We draw young people’s
attention to projects in other countries… with an outdoor game about landmines, with interesting activities that touch upon the Geneva Conventions ...

Blood transfusions
In Belgium you have to be 18 to be allowed to donate blood. Red Cross Youth tries to convince
youngsters to do so. For those who are a bit too young, we have some bloody exciting games!

Relief
A disaster exercise by and for kids, building your own first aid post… all these activities ensure kids get to know the first aid services. From 16 onwards, youngsters can become volunteers themselves at relief services.

The Red Cross Youth secretariat, consisting of 4 staff members, as well as 5 provincial teams of volunteers support the local branches in different ways. We write out new courses, we work out a new theme every year, we organize training for youth leaders, we write a newspaper every two months….

For schools and youth associations Red Cross Youth offers educational material on international Red Cross areas and first aid.