The HealthFirst '24 Project by the Royal College Red Cross Society was a multi-phase initiative launched to promote health awareness, provide valuable educational resources, modernize member management, and engage in global climate action. Spanning the entire year, the project combined creative campaigns, digital innovation, and strategic participation in international forums.

The project commenced with Glaring Days ‘24, a vibrant social media campaign aimed at raising awareness about significant international health days. Posters and videos shared on platforms like Instagram illuminated themes such as autism awareness, physical health, humanitarian efforts, diabetes prevention, and disabilities. These campaigns encouraged community engagement and dialogue on critical health topics.

As the project progressed, the Health’E’ness First phase was introduced with the launch of three e-books. Covering topics like first aid, physical health, and non-communicable diseases, these resources were made accessible online to empower individuals with actionable health knowledge.

The next milestone was the launch of the Royal College Red Cross Society’s official website, a digital platform showcasing the club's history, projects, and achievements. This user-friendly website preserved the society's legacy while offering dynamic features such as multimedia project highlights and an archive of board members and milestones.

To modernize operations, the project implemented an advanced RFID-based attendance marking system. This system, complemented by a QR code backup, streamlined attendance tracking while offering features like event calendars, member profiles, and gamification to enhance engagement.

The project concluded with active participation in the Climate & YOUth Summit 2024, a global event where the society connected with international youth leaders to explore innovative solutions for climate action.

From its inception to completion, the HealthFirst '24 Project embodied the Royal College Red Cross Society’s commitment to leadership, education, and innovation, leaving a lasting impact on both the local community and the global stage.

• Raise awareness about important health related days through a poster campaign titled “Glaring Days”
• Provide comprehensive education on key health topics through the creation of four publications focusing on:
  • Non-Communicable Diseases
  • First Aid In Emergencies
  • Importance of Physical Health
• Develop an official website for our club to serve as a centralized hub for health related resources, information, and updates
• Implement an efficient attendance marking system, using QR codes on members ID cards to streamline record-keeping and improve club operations
• These objectives collectively aim to promote health education, awareness and engagement within the Royal College Societies member base while enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the Royal College Red Cross Society

The HealthFirst ‘24 Project consists of five distinct phases: Glaring Days, Health E ness First, Website, Attendance Marking System, and the Climate & YOUth summit.

Glaring Days ‘24

Glaring Days was a vibrant poster campaign that illuminated significant international health-related days. Through captivating visuals and compelling messaging, the campaign sparked conversations, raised awareness, and inspired action within our community. Each poster served as a poignant reminder of our shared responsibility to prioritize health and well-being, inviting individuals to join in embracing the spirit of Glaring Days and working toward a healthier future for all.

Health’E’ness First

Health’E’ness First books are a valuable source of clear, concise, and practical health guidance. These publications covered a wide range of topics, from understanding diseases to mastering first aid and promoting physical health. They were designed to empower readers with actionable knowledge. The Health’E’ness First books are freely accessible for everyone through the Royal College Red Cross Society’s Website.

Website

The Royal College Red Cross Society Website serves as a digital platform that preserves and showcases the club’s rich history, accomplishments, and ongoing efforts to contribute to society. As part of this project, we designed and developed a user friendly website that reflects the values and mission of the Royal College Red Cross Society. The website features a comprehensive history of the club, highlighting its foundation, growth, and milestones. The past board members are viewable through a dedicated section. This gives users a sense of the continuity and dedication that has shaped the club.

In addition to these historical elements, the website also highlights past projects, with detailed descriptions of each initiative, its objectives, and the impact it had on the community. These projects are presented through a dynamic interface, incorporating images, videos, and success stories. A special focus is given to the club's gradings and awards, showcasing the recognition and excellence achieved throughout its journey. By integrating these elements in a visually engaging and informative way, the website not only serves as an archive but also as an inspiration for current and future members. The Royal College Red Cross Society’s website is a lasting digital presence for the Royal College Red Cross Society, ensuring that its legacy is preserved for years to come.

Attendance Marking System

We have set a new benchmark in the College in member management with the introduction of our advanced RFID based attendance system. At the core of this system is the RFID attendance marking feature, where members receive RFID enabled ID cards that automatically register attendance when scanned, ensuring accurate and real-time tracking of participation in meetings and events. This eliminates the need for manual roll calls and reduces the risk of errors, making attendance tracking both efficient and reliable.

In addition to the RFID system, we have incorporated a backup attendance marking system that uses QR codes integrated into the members' ID cards. This secondary method ensures that, in case of any technical issues with the RFID system, members can still mark their attendance quickly and accurately by scanning the QR code. This dual-layered approach guarantees that attendance records are always maintained without disruption.

Beyond attendance tracking, the system offers a range of features designed to improve member experience. The interactive event calendar keeps members informed about upcoming events, while event profiles provide detailed insights into past and future activities. Personalized member profiles track participation and milestones, with gamification elements such as badges and awards further motivating active engagement. The introduction of this innovative system highlights the society’s commitment to leadership, efficiency, and member participation, solidifying its reputation as a pioneer in school club management.

Climate & YOUth Summit 2024

We participated in the Climate & YOUth Summit 2024, an event organized by the Climate Centre, IFRC, and the American Red Cross in partnership with the Norwegian Red Cross and Global Youth Mobilization. This virtual summit, held on December 11, 2024, brought together youth leaders from across the globe to discuss and promote innovative climate action solutions. Our team engaged actively, sharing insights into our initiatives, connecting with other passionate leaders, and exploring ways to further climate resilience and environmental sustainability through youth led projects.

Our participation underscored our commitment to addressing global climate challenges. The summit allowed us to showcase our ongoing efforts, gain inspiration from the diverse range of ideas presented, and build partnerships with like minded organizations. As youth representatives, we were inspired to lead by example and continue innovating to create a sustainable future, aligning with the summit's theme of empowering young leaders to make a difference.

Project Chairman: Yudhana Nanayakkara

Project Secretary: Dinuja Wickramasinghe

Project Committee:

• Methul Kahandugoda
• Malika Banduthilake
• Yasitha Adikaramge
• Said Ali
• Sahindu Dassanayake
• Yuvanka Dayaratne
• Duvindu Rupasinghe
• Kithmaka Weerasooriya
• Ramiru Weerasooriya