After being delayed a few times, I was finally able to complete my First Aid course (re-qualification) with St John’s Ambulance. A completely brilliant course as ever, and a reminder about the responsibility we have to those in our care. Being walked through how to deal with putting a plaster on a finger or removing a splinter (only if the end is poking out!) was pretty relevant for anyone who works with children. The really important and serious stuff made the entire room reflect on how delicate humans can be, and that having someone who can act confidently and calmly in an emergency can make all the difference to a life.
We spoke about panic attacks and mental health too, and it was interesting to think about how the pandemic has left its mark on us, particularly our young people. It is a huge topic, one that still needs data and funding and one that anyone with children, or who works with young people will be interested in. Young Minds is a charity that writes a lot about mental health in young people and who are looking into the lasting issues as we adapt to the pandemic.
In class, we have seen our students recover. Spending months with no interaction, and working in front of screens took its toll. To be back in a room with others and to be creative and trusting again did take a while. Our Christmas Charity Show was the best way of proving how brilliant our students are. We were raising money for Ariana Smiles – with The Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group. We wanted to raise funds and awareness for brave children going through treatment that can cause a lot of suffering on top of their medical condition. Performers aged 4-18 were all up Acting Singing and Dancing to a very happy and generous audience. We raised over £3000! Obviously we were thrilled with their progress and their skills, but more than that was the joy at seeing their proud and beaming faces. So pleased to be getting to a point that they had prepared and worked hard for that wasn’t cancelled. So happy to be up there!
Since being back in 2022, every group is bonded by their brilliant performance and working with great energy toward our Summer Show.
First Aid makes a difference to recovery, and seeing the confidence grow in our students is part of the recovery they needed.