Workers celebrate First Aid accolade
Council workers were celebrating this week after winning a top first aid award.
Staff at Clackmannanshire Council Sports Development were hailed as Organisation of the Year for First Aid Excellence’ .
They were handed the accolade at the Scottish First Aid Awards ceremony.
The award is presented in recognition of an organisation which demonstrates an outstanding level of investment in first aid and mental health awareness, ultimately creating a workplace that encourages staff to support each other.
The award was given for the work Sports Development has delivered to promote and provide health and fitness activities, including education sessions, across the Clackmannanshire area to children aged three to 16 years old. The organisation prides itself on the first aid training and development opportunities they provide to staff within the Sports Development team, and across local sports clubs and individuals in the wider community. Each year, the team runs two emergency first aid courses to train other sports development staff in the area and equip them with vital life-saving skills.
Staff have also attended mental health awareness sessions to ensure a deeper understanding on mental health in a sport and physical activity context, recognising the signs to look out for if someone is struggling and where to get further support to assist.
Throughout the pandemic, the team has continued to provide first aid training where restrictions allowed. Adapting and providing a Covid secure venue for training, the organisation has hosted five emergency first aid training courses since November, resulting in 62 people being first aid trained.
Kirsty Wilson, from CCSD said: “We have always had strict first aid procedures, so our staff are well equipped and educated on how to respond in an emergency.
“We’re thrilled to be accepting this award, which recognises our efforts in delivering training internally and to the wider community. The increased demand for these courses and training shows just how important these skills are, particularly when working in the sporting industry.”
Stuart Callison, chief executive of St Andrew’s First Aid, said: “Their efforts to provide first aid training to their staff, and throughout the community, highlights their passion and commitment. Particularly within the sporting industry, it is critical for staff to be aware of lifesaving skills, and we commend them for their efforts, including their commitment to incorporating mental health first aid into their development.”
Close to 400 people attended the Awards which were held in Glasgow and hosted by actor Jane McCarry, who stars as Isa in Still Game. More nominations than ever before were received (over 60), recognising first aid heroes across the 12 categories.