When choosing a First Aid Trainer Provider, under HSE guidelines, it’s essential to prioritise quality and compliance.

You can access the “Selecting a first aid training provider: a guide for employers” on the HSE website.

Please get in touch with ABC Life Support if you would like to discuss your training needs.

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The Changing Landscape

The workplace landscape has undergone significant transformations in recent years. Remote work, hybrid models, and a renewed focus on employee well-being have reshaped how we perceive and approach work. With these changes come new challenges and considerations for health and safety, it is crucial for organisations to adapt their protocols to address the unique needs and risks associated with these evolving work scenarios.

Reviewing Current Protocols

Before embarking on any changes, a thorough review of existing health and safety protocols is essential. Organisations must assess the effectiveness of current provisions, identify any gaps or weaknesses, and consider feedback from employees. This process allows for a comprehensive understanding of the unique health and safety needs within the organisation, laying the groundwork for targeted improvements.

Adapting to Remote and Hybrid Work

The rise of remote and hybrid work models requires a revaluation of traditional health and safety norms. While physical office spaces have established safety protocols, remote work introduces a new set of challenges. Employers must now consider the ergonomic setup of home offices, mental health support for remote employees, and the availability of necessary resources to maintain a safe work environment outside the traditional office setting.

Promoting Mental Health and Well-being

The well-being of employees goes beyond physical safety; mental health is an integral component that deserves attention. The workplace plays a significant role in influencing mental health, and organizations should prioritize creating an environment that fosters well-being. Initiatives such as employee assistance programs, mental health resources, and destigmatising conversations about mental health contribute to a healthier, more supportive workplace culture.

Encouraging Employee Engagement

Employee engagement is a powerful driver of workplace safety. When employees feel valued and engaged, they are more likely to adhere to safety protocols and actively contribute to creating a secure work environment. Regular communication, training sessions, and involving employees in the decision-making process regarding health and safety measures can enhance engagement and foster a collective commitment to workplace safety.

Continuous Training and Education

Finally, and one perhaps that we have a vested interest in is the development of robust health and safety programs by delivering ongoing training and education. Employees should be regularly updated on safety protocols, emergency procedures, and any changes in guidelines. This ensures that everyone remains informed and capable of responding effectively to potential hazards. Furthermore, continuous education instills a culture of vigilance and responsibility among employees.

As you may or not know, we are massive advocates of drills outside of the formalities of a training schedule. If you are interested in how we may be of service to your organisation by staging drill days, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

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November marks the end of our year and gives us the chance to look back on what we have achieved over the past 12 months and how we have achieved it. Our focus this year, as always, has been on the amazing training we provide, we are so proud to have trained over 1850 people and delivered 267 courses!

All of these people now have the skills and confidence to help save a life.

We love that you chose us, and we are proud to be part of your First Aid journey. While delivering this training is at the heart of our mission, we like to look beyond this training to the people we train and the relationships we have built. Our organisation was based on working in partnership with others and this has such a wide range from the team at Barnardo’s through to the clients who return to us for their training.

Our relationship with Barnardo’s is special to us and really shows how our training can impact those who normally would be the furthest from accessing first aid training. Working with the teams at family centres in Stevenage has enabled us to deliver a train the trainer programme in first aid to the family workers. They in turn deliver this training directly to the families they work with, which helps to build their skills and trust too.

Charity partnerships are also at the centre of what we do. We offer discounted rates to local charities to ensure that our training is accessible to their team, volunteers and beneficiaries. We have always been passionate about working with the charity sector as we share the same ethos and we have found amazing working partnerships with organisations like The CHS Group, Shakespeare’s Globe and The National Trust.

We have some fantastic clients who recognise how good our training is, how this training impacts on their team whilst also seeing the social value of working with us. We have partnerships big and small both within the corporate sector and the education sector too. By using ABC Life Support to provide their training, you know you are helping us to facilitate subsidised training for local charities. If you are one of those clients – thank you.

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What is stress?

Stress is the body’s reaction to feeling threatened or under pressure.

When we are stressed, our body releases a hormone called adrenaline (often called the “fight or flight” hormone), which usually gives us a boost or motivates us to act quickly.

But too much stress can affect our mood, our body and our relationships – especially when it feels out of our control. It can make us feel anxious and irritable, and affect our self-esteem.

Experiencing long-term stress or severe stress can lead to feeling physical, mental and emotional exhaustion, often called “burnout”.

NHS Better Health: Every Mind Matters – Dealing with stress

What do you do if you are feeling stressed?

Do you think your coping mechanisms are healthy or unhealthy?

Stress can be brought on due to various different reasons, whether it be family issues, pressures at work, concerns about money or ill health. If you find more than one of these stressors are present, this can make coping even harder.

If you are worried about someone, here are some signs that they may be struggling with stress:

Behaviour – Crying, change in eating habits, sleep problems, drinking or smoking more than normal.

Mentally – Always imagining the worst, being irritable, worrying about the future, lack of concentration

Physically – Stomach problems, feeling tired or dizzy, headaches, muscle tension or pain.

What can I do if I am feeling stressed?

• Get practical advice on the situation or event that is driving your stress. There are resources available via the Mind website.
• Make a plan – write a list of the things that are triggering your stress, are there practical ways you can alleviate your feelings?
• Prioritise your tasks and try to be proactive and get the important things done – face them head on.
• Delegate and share tasks if you can, don’t be afraid to ask for help.
• Set goals for complicated tasks, be realistic in what you are able to achieve.
• Talk to someone – a friend, colleague, family member or someone you trust who can help with your situation.
• Making small changes to your lifestyle can really help. Maybe try a new healthy meal, reduce your caffeine intake, one cup at a time. Go for a walk, just 10 minutes of walking in fresh air can help clear your mind. Exercise is proven to help relieve stress. Make sure you put sleep first, you’d be surprised how an early night and a good sleep routine can help.  
• Put yourself first at least once a day whether that be reading a book, eating something you really like, watching a film or a boxset.
• If you are struggling to cope with stress, please do speak to your GP, they can help. Keep a record of your concerns in the form of a diary as you may find there are triggers to your stress.

We may not be able to avoid it, but you can manage it.

By taking some of the steps above, you can help your mind, body and levels of stress.

The post Stress Awareness Day appeared first on ABC Life Support CIC.

Source: www.resus.org.uk/

Monday 16th October is Restart a Heart Day, an amazing initiative championed by a brilliant group of organisations including the Resuscitation Council UK, The British Heart Foundation, British Red Cross and St John Ambulance. Each year they work together with the aim of increasing the number of people who survive an out of hospital cardiac arrest.

The theme for this year is actively promoting the use of public access defibrillators and highlighting health inequality around access.

But what does this mean to you?

“People living in the most deprived areas of England and Scotland are on average 99 and 317 metres further away from their nearest 24/7 defibrillator than those in the least deprived areas, respectively.” 

Source: www.bhf.org.uk

This information took some finding and something which we find alarming and yet not surprising. This kind of disparity is at the heart of what we do. Giving everyone the skills and knowledge to do CPR and to save a life is only part of the picture. Being able to quickly access and use a defibrillator is just as crucial as knowing CPR.

(Read more about these disparities)

Maybe you could consider the following questions. Wherever you are, you need to know.

• Do you know where your nearest AED or defib is located?
• Did you know that by using a defib you can double the chance of survival?
• Did you know that many defibs will talk you through exactly what to do in the case of an emergency?

Having the confidence to know where to start is key, and learning these skills couldn’t be easier. If you have 5 minutes, watch a video on how to do CPR. It really couldn’t be any simpler.

To find out where your nearest defib is (no matter where you are in the UK!) or to register one, just check out www.thecircuit.uk.

#restartaheart

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So how can we help ourselves and each other?

When I think of my friends, many of them are dealing with difficult situations and are all approaching them in the best way they can. These situations can be due to anything, from financial concerns, long term ill health, marital problems, dealing with troubled teens, big kids flying the nest, parents getting ill, grief or stress at work, these challenges can cause stress, feelings of helplessness and can affect our mental wellbeing.

You may notice a change in someone’s behaviour, they may withdraw, they may be short with you, they may look tired or drawn. They may be over the top in their behaviour, they may avoid eye contact or any contact at all. Asking for help can be hard, this is where that initial conversation comes in. Asking someone “how are you” and then asking again can be all it takes for someone to start to open up.

You might be worrying about a family member, friend or a colleague but don’t know where to start. You might not feel confident enough or know what to dasay. Trust me, just by reaching out, you will be helping.  A phone call to check in with a friend can alleviate how dark they might be feeling. Knowing someone is there and it’s not all in your head can really help. A WhatsApp conversation, a card through the post, a conversation on the school run – it can all make a difference.

If you are genuinely worried about someone, please don’t be afraid to ask them how they are. It can be scary and easier to ignore but that friend will feel like a weight has been lifted. Realising that we are not there to fix the problem, but we can be there to support and listen. Knowing where to look for help, whether it be a website of a service, there are people there that can continue to support and help.

There are some great resources to signpost to and to learn from…

• Samaritans
• Mind
• Papyrus (for the prevention of youth suicide)
• Mental Health First Aid training

The post World Mental Health Day appeared first on ABC Life Support CIC.

1. Fostering a Sense of Belonging

Humans have an innate desire to belong. When individuals feel valued, recognised, and included, it nurtures a sense of belonging. When organistations champion DEI, they create a space where everyone’s voice and identity are respected which directly cultivates an environment conducive to this sense of belonging. This can significantly decrease feelings of isolation, alienation, or ostracism, which are known contributors to mental health challenges.

2. Reducing Microaggressions and Discrimination

Microaggressions, those subtle, often unintentional, discriminatory comments or behaviors, can chip away at a person’s mental well-being over time. By emphasizing DEI, organisations can create an environment where such behaviors are identified, addressed, and minimized. Reducing these experiences can dramatically decrease the stress, anxiety, and trauma associated with being a frequent recipient of such biases.

3. Encouraging Open Dialogue

When DEI is prioritised, it creates a platform for open dialogue about differences, challenges, and mental health. People feel more comfortable discussing their struggles, leading to a better understanding of diverse mental health needs and challenges. Such openness can also act as a preventive measure, identifying potential mental health issues before they escalate.

4. Boosting Self-worth and Confidence

Equity ensures that everyone gets what they need to succeed, which can be a significant boost to one’s sense of worth. When individuals see themselves reflected in leadership positions and have equitable access to opportunities, it reinforces the belief that they, too, can succeed. This affirmation can act as a buffer against negative mental health outcomes associated with feelings of inadequacy or hopelessness.

5. Enhancing Support Systems

An inclusive environment encourages collaboration and peer support. When people from diverse backgrounds come together, they bring a plethora of coping strategies and perspectives. This diverse toolkit can be invaluable for those facing mental health challenges, as it offers varied methods of coping and healing.

However, it is crucial to understand that merely paying lip service to DEI is not enough. Tokenism or superficial initiatives can be counterproductive and may even exacerbate feelings of exclusion. Proper implementation means actively listening to diverse voices, making necessary systemic changes to accommodate different needs, and regularly reviewing policies to ensure they are effective.

In conclusion, when DEI is prioritized and executed correctly, it not only reshapes the landscape of workplaces and societies but also acts as a potent tool for enhancing mental health.

The post Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Catalysts for Better Mental Health appeared first on ABC Life Support CIC.

When it comes to listening to our young people, this question can be shot down, eyes might be rolled or just plain ignored!

Life feels hard for all of us now, with the health and economic impact of the pandemic, the ongoing conflicts across the world, climate change and the increases in the cost of living, we can all feel our stress levels spiralling.

But what about the children and young adults in our lives? How are they feeling? What at the challenges they face?

Looking at the day-to-day triggers which range from friendship issues, concerns about school or family friction, it is important that we help them navigate strong emotions and feelings in a way that is accessible and age appropriate and as they get older, their interest in the wider world may spark feelings of hopelessness and helplessness.

As adults, we may try and protect children by filtering the detail on the world around them. But as they get older and start to seek out the news for themselves, how are they processing all this information and how is it making them feel? Are they understanding what is going on around them and how it will affect them or are they building a fear, a frustration or even a warped sense of what the actual reality is.

Wherever they are in their stage of development, it is important that we are as prepared as we can be to support them in the best way we can.

Some statistics…

A survey published in February 2022 by Place2Be and the National Association of Head Teachers found that…

• Mental health problems among pupils had increased since the start of the academic year, including low self esteem (86%), depression (76%) and constant feelings of anger (68%).
• 20% of adolescents may experience a mental health problem in any given year. (1)
• 50% of mental health problems are established by age 14 and 75% by age 24. (2)
• 10% of children and young people (aged 5-16 years) have a clinically diagnosable mental problem (3), yet 70% of children and adolescents who experience mental health problems have not had appropriate interventions at a sufficiently early age.(4)

Source: www.mentalhealth.org

19th September 2023 is Youth Mental Health Day – check https://stem4.org.uk/youthmentalhealthday/ for more information on the resources they offer.

If you are worried about the mental health of your children and young adults, there are places you can look to find help. There are links below to fabulous charities who are there to help, support and advise.

• Young Minds – fighting for young people’s mental health
• The Children’s Society
• Princes Trust – Mental Health Support

If you are worried, please don’t feel afraid to ask for help.

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We all need something to look forward to, just booking a week off can give you a sense of positivity and you can start counting down the days. Without this time away it is easy to become run down and demotivated but having time away from work can give you time to reflect and hopefully become remotivated.

What does a holiday look like to you? Cycling around the Pyrenees? Sorting out the garden at home? A week in Filey? A staycation? Is that even a thing? 

We all have a different way to spend our time away from work. While we may be able to afford to travel to the Maldives, time at home can be equally as impactful.

From a mental health perspective, burnout can be the beginning of a deteriorating Mental Health.  

The common signs of burnout:

• Feeling tired or drained most of the time
• Feeling helpless, trapped and/or defeated
• Feeling detached/alone in the world
• Having a cynical/negative outlook
• Self-doubt
• Procrastinating and taking longer to get things done
• Feeling overwhelmed

Source: Mental Health UK

Did you know that 36% of UK employees don’t use their full annual leave allowance?

48% of those surveyed felt they needed to check emails while they were away, with 46% actually worked whilst they were away.

(Statistics taken from research from British Airways Holidays & YouGov – interesting that the survey was from a holiday company!)

Do you worry that you have to have everything ready before you go?

This can make getting away more stressful but don’t let that put you off! Get your handover ready weeks in advance so you’re not rushing around at the last minute to get everything straight. Believe it or not, the world will carry on revolving without you!

Does your organisation encourage time off?

Back in the 90’s, I remember taking time off being frowned upon, especially at the beginning of the year when it was all about hitting your targets. Thankfully many organisations have moved away from this type of culture and have recognised the value of time off from work.

Encouraging time off can improve the productivity, engagement and loyalty of your team. Knowing that an organisation values you and your commitment can make a huge difference to the longevity of each employees’ tenure.

So, if you haven’t got a week booked in, why not do it now? If you work for yourself, if you can, why not take a wellbeing week? It really is the best medicine.

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