First Aid At Hand

23/12/2025

17/12/2025

The festive period can be an especially tough time of year for many of us. Check in with loved ones, but also remember to take care of yourself.

If you or someone you know needs support, there's always help out there.
💚 Kooth UK provide free anonymous online support for 11-18 year olds.
💚 TALKWORKS - NHS offer free talking therapy for adults 18+
💚 Samaritans provide 24/7 support

For more information on the support available in Devon visit 👇
https://www.devon.gov.uk/care-and-health/mental-health/

09/12/2025

No one wants to be unwell over Christmas, but it’s important to know where to access help if you need it. By being prepared now, you can relax over the festive season.

Many GP practices will offer appointments on Christmas Eve, and some pharmacies will be open on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day treatment for minor illnesses.

If urgent medical advice is needed, you can call NHS 111 at any time. The service is available 24/7 and will direct you to the most appropriate care.

08/12/2025

✅ Even the Grinch can learn CPR – so what’s stopping you?
This holiday season, our favourite green cynic has discovered something even he can’t steal: the power of early, high-quality chest compressions.

💙 At the European Resuscitation Council, we believe that everyone – from healthcare professionals to holiday sceptics – can make a life-saving difference.
❤️ Join us, upgrade your CPR knowledge, and help strengthen a community ready to act when it matters most.

🫶 Because saving a life isn’t about being festive ... It’s about being prepared.
🩺 Learn CPR. Share CPR. Save lives.


Courtesy: AI-generated image inspired by holiday themes.

05/12/2025

Tis the season of festivities… and colder temperatures! It is important you are prepared for any winter emergency. So we’ve pulled together a list of essential first aid and emergency supplies that we recommend keeping in your vehicles throughout the winter.

1. Dressings, bandages & plasters: For covering wounds, controlling bleeding, and preventing infection.
2. Cleaning wipes & hand sanitiser: To clean wounds and reduce the risk of infection.
3. Powder-free gloves: To protect both you and the casualty from cross-contamination.
4. Foil blanket: Helps keep someone warm and reduce the risk of shock or hypothermia.
5. ‘Tuff-Kut’ scissors/trauma shears: Safe, durable scissors for cutting clothing, bandages or seatbelts.
6. CPR face shield: A barrier device to keep both rescuer and patient safe during rescue breaths.
7. Up-to-date first aid info: Keep a current first aid guide in your kit, or visit our first aid advice (link at end). Most importantly, make sure your training is up to date.
8. Hand and foot warmers: Heat packs that keep your extremities warm in freezing conditions.
9. Thermal socks and gloves: Insulated layers that help maintain circulation and protect against frostbite.
10. Lip balm and moisturiser: To protect skin from dryness and cracking in cold, dry weather.

Alongside these necessities, be sure to have extra of any personal medication, snacks and bottled water. You should also always have a warning triangle in your car with high-vis clothing.

Stay safe and warm!

sja.org.uk

04/12/2025

CHRISTMAS DAY LUNCH
We are running our festive Christmas Day lunch this year which is open to those who for whatever reason, find themselves without company this Christmas. You are so welcome!

Thursday 25th December 📆

12pm 🕖

Christmas Dinner, quiz, entertainment 💷

Grosvenor Church Barnstaple 📍

To find out more or to book your place by contact - susie.brown@grosvenorchurch.org.uk or calling 07938707766.

03/12/2025

🚨OUTDOOR FIRST AID 🏕🏖🌄

The most fabulous and welcoming venue for our next open Outdoor First Aid course in February The Growforward Project Chelfham near Barnstaple.

Suitable for Forest School Leaders, Duke of Edinburgh, Outdoor Instructors and anyone enjoying the great outdoors.

Option to add the Emergency First Aid at Work and Emergency Paediatric First Aid qualifications on the same 2 days.

📞 07550 099426 or 📧 firstaidathand@aol.com

Course Overview
Learners who complete the Qualsafe Level 3 Award in Outdoor First Aid
(RQF) are equipped with a broad set of skills enabling them to administer
first aid in challenging outdoor surroundings which may be a few
hours away from the support of the emergency services.
The course is designed for unsupported adults who run potentially high-risk
activities which involve venturing out into the wilderness such as Outdoor
Activity Leaders, including those participating in the Duke of Edinburgh
scheme.
During the 2 day course, learners will develop the skills and knowledge
needed to deal with a range of outdoor first aid situations.
What’s Covered?
Roles and responsibilities of a first aider in an outdoor environment
Administering first aid and managing multiple casualties outdoors
Stabilising and insulating casualties and providing shelter
Extremes of temperature
Fractures, head and spinal injuries
Drowning casualties
Different types of burns and scalds
Secondary survey, medical conditions
Poisoning and venomous bites
Catastrophic bleeding
Summoning appropriate help from emergency or rescue services

Ofqual regulated 2 day course
Course aligned with the institute for outdoor learning.
Call 07550 099426 or email firstaidathand@aol.com

03/12/2025

⛑️ BUDE ⛑️
Emergency First Aid at Work
Neetside Community Centre
Friday 6 March or Monday 30 March

Accredited course for HSE requirements with 3 year qualification.

We will come to you at your premises for groups of 4+ for bespoke training.

Please enquire 📧 firstaidathand@aol.com
Or 📞 07550 099426

Creating the confidence to care

27/11/2025

Stranger Things fans!

Ever felt like you’re channelling your inner Eleven, just without the superpowers?

Nosebleeds can happen to anyone, so read our advice and be prepared. 👃🩸

20/11/2025

Swap Black Friday For Colour Friday
THIS CHRISTMAS, SHOP SMALL
The 28th November 2025 will be the day that millions of us in the UK start our Christmas shopping. Yet while Black Friday will be booming, over a million small businesses will be breaking… and could you imagine how colourless our gifts and decorations would be without them?! So this Christmas, shop small and support Colour Friday instead. It’s the alternative day we launched several years ago to help celebrate the remarkable colour, creativity and community spirit that independent businesses bring to the UK. And if you are a small business owner yourself keep scrolling to find out how we can help you celebrate.

Did you know...

If you spend £10 at a local independent shop, it can result in up to £50 more being recirculated in the local economy than if £10 was spent at a chain (because business owners are more likely to spend their money locally)?¹
Small businesses play a crucial role in increasing UK employment rates (employing around 16.9 million people)?²
They contribute £2.18 trillion to the UK economy (around a quarter of our GDP)?³
And yet the UK is expected to spend £3.9 billion on Black Friday this year,⁴ while a million small businesses fear closure?⁵
By opting to shop at small local businesses, you can contribute towards building a more vibrant and diverse economy that better reflects the needs and values of the whole community?⁶
Over a third of people asked said they love independent businesses for their remarkable creativity — especially their originality, imagination and care?⁷
We know 81% of UK consumers said they would consider shopping small this Christmas.⁸
Will you?
Help us celebrate Colour Friday instead

17/11/2025

A yellow cold-health alert has been issued for the South West region until Saturday 22 November.❄️

Please check in on family, friends and relatives who may be more vulnerable to the cold weather, as it can have a serious impact on health.

16/11/2025

Emergency First Aid at Work 🏥
Thursday 18 December in Bideford - 3 places left!

Paediatric First Aid blended learning
Tuesday 16 December in Barnstaple - 4 places left

We will come to you for bespoke training at your premises - 2 dates remaining in December and January.

Creating the confidence to care ✨️

📞 07550 099426
📧 firstaidathand@aol.com