Community first aid training doesn’t always have to mean running a separate course. Sometimes an opportunity to help a local group can be created by using available places on training that is already taking place.

In January 2026, First Aid and Safety Training welcomed 12 learners to an Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) course at One Trinity Green in South Shields.

The group included learners from Emmaus UK, Boldon School and Talbot Medical Centre, alongside a local rugby coach.

We also provided two free places to volunteers from Hebburn Litter Pickers, allowing members of a local community organisation to complete the regulated workplace first aid qualification alongside the other learners.

Creating Community First Aid Training Opportunities

Hebburn Litter Pickers brings volunteers together to improve their local environment.

Although this wasn’t a course specifically organised for the group, having places available on an existing open course created an opportunity for two volunteers to develop practical first aid skills.

This is one of the advantages of running open first aid courses.

Individual learners, businesses that only need one or two employees trained and people from community organisations can all attend the same course.

Where circumstances allow, it can also create opportunities for First Aid and Safety Training to support organisations doing useful work within the local community.

Learning Alongside Local Businesses and Organisations

The two Hebburn Litter Pickers volunteers trained alongside learners from:

Emmaus UK
Boldon School
Talbot Medical Centre
local sport
other workplaces and organisations

Some people were completing Emergency First Aid at Work for the first time, while others were renewing previous qualifications.

That mixture created plenty of discussion.

A teacher may think about first aid in terms of pupils and colleagues. Someone involved in sport may immediately consider incidents during training or competition. Community volunteers may be working outside and around members of the public.

Their environments are different, but the fundamental emergency first aid skills are transferable.

What Did Learners Practise?

The Emergency First Aid at Work qualification develops essential skills for responding to workplace emergencies.

During the course, learners covered and practised areas including:

the role and responsibilities of an emergency first aider
assessing an incident safely
recognising an unresponsive casualty
adult CPR
using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
managing an unconscious casualty
responding to choking
controlling external bleeding
recognising and managing shock

Practical demonstrations were followed by hands-on practice so learners could physically perform the techniques rather than simply hear them explained.

You can find more information about the Emergency First Aid at Work qualification and what the course covers.

Learners practising CPR on Emergency First Aid Course in South Shields

Making First Aid Training Accessible and Engaging

A relaxed atmosphere doesn’t mean taking first aid less seriously.

It means creating an environment where people feel comfortable asking questions and getting involved.

Several learners had previously attended first aid courses elsewhere and commented on the difference in delivery.

We concentrated on:

clear explanations
practical demonstrations
repeated hands-on practice
questions and discussion
appropriate breaks
keeping the course focused on useful first aid skills

There were laughs and plenty of conversation during the day, but learners also understood the seriousness of the skills they were practising.

That balance helped maintain engagement throughout the course.

Community first aid training during an EFAW course in South Shields — #image_title

What Did the Learners Think?

The feedback from this group was particularly strong:

“Really informative and friendly.” – Lindsay

“Best first aid training I’ve received. Well delivered and good practical advice.” – Katy

“Excellent course, would definitely recommend.” – Damian

“Great course – not overfilled with information and techniques we probably wouldn’t use. Great energy from the course leads.” – Kim

“The best first aid course I’ve attended. I was engaged for the entire course.” – Dawn

“Thank you so much for this training. We really enjoyed it.” – Diane

“Helen and Adam, thank you so much, best first aid course I have attended.” – Tracey

“Fantastic, thorough training – friendly and welcoming as well as professional. Brilliant.” – Kenya

“They made me feel confident and happy in this course.” – Owen Tandy

All 12 learners successfully completed the qualification.

Supporting First Aid Skills in the Community

Providing two free places to Hebburn Litter Pickers was a relatively small contribution, but it meant two more people within a local volunteer organisation gained practical emergency first aid skills.

Those skills aren’t restricted to the activity for which somebody originally trained.

Someone who learns CPR because of their work or volunteering could ultimately use that skill at home, in a public place or somewhere else in the community.

That wider benefit is one of the reasons we value opportunities to support community first aid training alongside our commercial work.

FAST and First Aid Saves Lives CIC

First Aid and Safety Training also works alongside First Aid Saves Lives CIC, which focuses specifically on improving community access to lifesaving skills.

The two organisations have different roles.

FAST provides regulated workplace first aid qualifications and other professional training, while First Aid Saves Lives CIC delivers accessible community-focused initiatives designed to increase people’s confidence to act during an emergency.

Providing community places on a FAST course is another way practical first aid knowledge can reach people who may then use those skills beyond the workplace.

Joining an Open First Aid Course

Open courses are useful for businesses that only need one or two employees trained, individuals who require a qualification and people who don’t have enough learners to arrange a full onsite course.

First Aid and Safety Training runs open first aid courses in South Shields at One Trinity Green.

Organisations with larger groups can instead arrange onsite first aid training in South Shields and South Tyneside.

If you need help choosing the appropriate option, contact First Aid and Safety Training.