At Witton Lodge Community Association (WLCA), people and places are at the heart of everything we do. This is why ensuring our team are trained in First Aid training is essential to the work we do to support our community.

Working with vulnerable people, our responsibilites go beyond simply giving advice and guidance. It’s about looking after people in a practical sense; doing what we can to ensure their welfare and safety.

Going the extra mile

Recently, a number of WLCA colleagues spent the day at Perry Common Community Hall learning all about First Aid. Birmingham based assessor and trainer, Shanza Poswal delivered the training.

For Witton Lodge staff, being certified in first aid is a key tool to provide effective community support. Some of the vulnerable residents we work with can face higher risks of sudden medical emergencies.

So if a Witton Lodge employee can step in with confidence to help someone during a cardiac event or a minor injury, we are preserving the faith the community has in us to support people. The  training also helps us to develop staff in ways which go beyond their operational duties.

Learning by doing

Shanza brought a refreshing blend of expertise and wit to the room. This helped to turn what could have been a daunting, technical session into an interactive and fun experience. Employees were trained on a range of topics including how to deal with burns, bruises, lacerations, heart attacks, choking and fainting.

A couple of  practical sessions gave staff a taste of high-pressure scenarios, such as assisting someone having a seizure or responding to serious traumatic injuries.

“It’s about giving people the confidence to act,” said Shanza. “When you strip away any initial fear or apprehension, you’re left with an individual who can truly make a difference in a crisis.”

Alongside staff members already trained in this three year certification, the seven staff who completed the recent training are now able to administer First Aid support on site at all of our hubs.