SK Development

17/02/2026

It’s Pancake Day… so lets talk about tossing.

A bit of enthusiastic tossing once a year is absolutely fine. But overdo it, use poor technique or get too vigorous and suddenly you’re left with a sore wrist and some regret.
Pancakes optional.

If your Pancake Day celebrations leave you with a tweak, strain or aching wrist, remember a bit of First Aid wisdom and give it some R I C E:

🥞Rest
🥞Ice to reduce swelling
🥞Comfort/ Compression if needed
🥞Elevation to support recovery

Whether it’s pancake related or not, listen to your body. If something hurts, ease off, take care of it and give it time.

Enjoy the pancakes. Enjoy the tossing. Just maybe don’t go too hard. 🥞💪🤭

13/02/2026

The last two days in Flintshire have been ones that stay with you.

I delivered a First Aid Awareness day and an Emergency First Aid at Work course to two full groups of council workers across care and assisted living, education and wider public services. Different roles, different experiences, but all there to learning and ensure confidence they know how to do the right thing when it matters.

The practical skills were strong, lots of discussion, good questions and real engagement throughout. But what stood out most was the honesty in the room.

We spoke about what happens after First Aid has been given. Once the casualty is safe, stable or handed over to medical care, that is not the end of it for the First Aider. Responding to an emergency can be traumatic, regardless of the outcome. It is vital we take a moment to decompress, reflect, talk and check in with ourselves.

Some very real experiences were shared. Vulnerability, openness and support between each other. Those moments are powerful and they deepen understanding far beyond technique and procedure. They remind us that First Aid is about people, not just protocols.

I always feel incredibly privileged when groups trust the space enough to share like that. It makes the learning more meaningful and far more human.

Two full days. Two brilliant groups. Grateful as always.

11/02/2026

It’s Wednesday already and this week has been full from the start.

Monday was an early one at Lancashire Police HQ delivering a MOD2 Refresher. A brilliant group who were completely up for it. We got straight into the practical elements and they fully threw themselves into it. Bandaging, including trauma dressings, choking scenarios, CPR, safe AED use, MILS, removal of a biker helmet, recovery position, ligature removal etc. The room had great energy, plenty of questions and a lot of engagement. Exactly how this kind of learning should be.

Yesterday I switched hats and stepped into Creative Edge mode. I met with Tattoos and Tears CIC again, and I am genuinely excited to be working with them on a new educational programme aimed at positively impacting boys and men. The first focus for the programme is Anti Bullying. After our meeting, I spent the day deep in the structure, content and design work, shaping something that has real purpose and the potential to make a meaningful difference.

This morning I am back on the road heading into Flintshire to deliver more training. I always enjoy that drive. There is something about being over that way that feels familiar.
Different rooms. Different skill sets. Same standards. Show up properly. Deliver quality. Care about the outcome.

I hope your week is going well so far.

07/02/2026

Some recent HSE Advice has been published about using some Alcohol-Free Sterile Wipes... please be aware as you may need to chdck and update your First Aid Kits.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/public-advised-to-stop-using-certain-non-sterile-alcohol-free-wipes?fbclid=IwdGRjcAP0MBZjbGNrA_QwEmV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHk2odwjJt70qLXAyDZMnZWJ-3e1B1nyume6GwtufTWIR6GiUbGRKbsUEr0v6_aem_FsonzPHKUyT5fXr1BaguCA

UKHSA and MHRA are urging the public not to use 4 specified non-sterile alcohol-free wipe products due to the risk of infection associated with their use.

07/02/2026

One of the things people do not always talk about with freelance work is how easy it can be to feel a little on the outside. You come in, do the job, move on and sometimes never quite feel part of the wider team.

So when you freelance for a company that genuinely brings you in, treats you as one of their own and makes you feel included, it really does mean a lot.

IEC Medical UK have always done that. They create a proper team feel, even for those of us who are not there every day. This week, as part of refreshing their office space, they put together a staff wall and I was genuinely touched to be included alongside everyone else.
The wall is brilliant, captures the team perfectly and I absolutely love my caricature.

A big thank you to Tom and the team at IEC Medical for the welcome, the trust and for making freelancers feel part of something, not just an add on.

06/02/2026

Wednesday and Thursday have been full on, but exactly the kind of days that remind me why I love what I do.

On Wednesday I was over in Cheshire delivering an Emergency First Aid at Work course to a full group of council library staff and management. A genuinely lovely group who engaged fully, asked great questions and really threw themselves into building confidence and practical skills. Days like that make the learning feel alive and meaningful.

After a long day, it was straight back on the road heading down to London, ready for another EFAW delivery on Thursday. Another full course, another brilliant group and a really positive day of learning, discussion and skill building. I then turned straight back around to head north, which turned into a 6.5 hour drive, so by the time I got home I was more than ready for some proper rest.

It has been a busy week with long days, early starts and plenty of miles, but also a week full of great conversations, shared experiences and meeting some fantastic people along the way. That variety, connection and impact is exactly what keeps the work so rewarding.
Next week is already shaping up to be another busy one, with training delivery across Lancashire and Flintshire.

This weekend I will be taking a little time to pause, reset and recharge before doing it all again. I hope you all get the chance to enjoy your weekends too.

If you are thinking about First Aid training for your team or organisation in the coming weeks, feel free to reach out. I am always happy to have a conversation.

04/02/2026

04/02/2026

It is Wednesday already and this week has come out of the gate busy.

We kicked things off with two full days of First Aid at Work Requalification training over in Crewe. A great group of seven council staff who fully got involved throughout and I am really pleased to congratulate them all on completing the course and being fully qualified for another three years.

Today I am up early again, heading back into Cheshire to deliver an Emergency First Aid at Work course. After that, it is a quick switch of hats as Kizomba Wirral with Sal K this evening to teach a class, before driving down to London ready to deliver another EFAW tomorrow.

Busy days, lots of miles and plenty of variety, just how I like it.

How has your week been so far? I hope it has been a good one.

If your team, organisation or even family and friends want the confidence to know what to do in an emergency and become qualified First Aiders, feel free to get in touch.

31/01/2026

Wrapping up a busy and very rewarding week of training delivery.

Over the last few days I have delivered three different courses across three locations. A three day First Aid at Work course with an engineering and construction company in Newark, a blended Paediatric First Aid course in Liverpool, and a MOD2 Refresher delivered for Lancashire Police.

Across the week I worked with over 26 people, each course bringing its own pace, focus and energy. There has been a huge amount of learning, plenty of shared experiences, some really thoughtful questions and lots of opportunities to apply skills in realistic, scenario led ways. As always, there were also more than a few laughs along the way, which I think is an important part of learning done well.

It has meant early mornings, a fair bit of mileage and some long days, but those are the weeks I genuinely enjoy the most. Being out on the road, working with different organisations, adapting delivery to suit each group and seeing confidence grow throughout the day is exactly why I do what I do.

Feeling tired, but in a very good way, although that could also be the night out with friends that brought me home at 4.30am too. I am really grateful to be doing work I genuinely enjoy.

26/01/2026

As we move closer to the end of the financial year, I know many organisations are looking at how to make the most of any remaining training budget.

This is a great opportunity to invest in people. Professional development that builds confidence, capability and real world skills, while gaining regulated qualifications that genuinely add value.

Over the coming weeks I would love to speak with organisations, schools and individuals who are looking to invest in:

✅️ First Aid training
✅️ Mental Health First Aid
✅️ Basic Life Support & AED
✅️ Awareness training for students
✅️ Catastrophic Bleed Training
✅️ Level 3 Education and Training qualifications

Whether it is developing staff skills, strengthening workplace safety, supporting wellbeing or helping someone take their next step into training and education, these courses are about far more than compliance. They are about confidence in action and learning that lasts.

If you have budget available to use before the end of March and want it to make a meaningful impact, I would be very happy to have a conversation and explore what could work best for you or your organisation.

Let’s put those remaining pennies to good use and turn them into skills, confidence and growth.📈💜

25/01/2026

Three hour drive this evening to get myself over to Newark and checked into the hotel, ready for the next three days of First Aid training.

I am fed, unpacked, settled and slowly switching off for the night so I am fresh for tomorrow and ready to welcome a new group of delegates. There is always a bit of a calm pause in these moments before a course run starts, everything in place, bags ready and knowing the next few days will be busy, people focused and full of learning.

Early night for me tonight. Looking forward to getting started in the morning.

I hope you've all had a good Sunday!

22/01/2026

I had a great day today.

Another early start, and I have definitely seen more dark mornings with start times beginning with a 4 or a 5 than I have in a long while this week, as I headed back north, this time to an Army barracks.

A full class of 12 Army Reserves and a day full of proper banter from the start. A brilliant group who fully threw themselves into the learning, working through scenarios, skill practice and real world application throughout the day.

I was also very well looked after with a morning bacon buttie in the Mess and lunch too, thank you Shelly.

Learning completed, plenty of good questions and conversations, some proper belly laughs, and a great way to finish the day letting the guys know they had all passed their exams and are now fully qualified for the next three years.

Well done all. I am back up there in February and already looking forward to it.