Ajuda Training
Category: General News
Bonfire Night First Aid
This weekend Bonfire Night will be celebrated around the UK. According to statistics from The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents around 1,000 people visit A&E for treatment of firework related and other bonfire night related injuries in the four weeks around the event.
Although Bonfire Night is certainly a time for fun, we’ve written this blog to provide first aid tips that are simple to learn and well help you to be prepared to treat any of these injuries if they occur.
Burns or scalds
– Run the burn under cold water for at least 10 minutes. Skin needs to be completely cool to prevent pain, scarring or any further damage.
– Remove any jewellery or clothing that is near the burn – do not remove if they are stuck to the burn.
– Don’t pop any blisters or apply creams – doing this risks making the injury worse.
– One the burn is cooled, cover with a plastic bag or clingfilm.
– If necessary, treat a casualty for shock by laying them down with their legs raised above the level of their heart e.g. on a chair.
– If the burn is on a child, or, if you think the burn is serious (e.g. deep, larger than the size of the casualty’s hand, on the hands, feet or face) call 999/112 for an ambulance. There will also be first aiders at almost all public firework displays in the UK so keep an eye out when you get to the event in case you need to go and get help.
Debris in the eye
– Do not rub the casualty’s eye or let them rub the eye as it will make it worse.
– Pour clean water over the eye to wash out what is in it or to cool the burn.
– If this does not work, try to lift the debris out with the damp corner of a clean tissue.
– If this also does not work, cover the eye with a clean dressing (if a dressing is not available make sure you use a non-fluffy material).
– Take the casualty to the nearest hospital.
Smoke inhalation
– Move as far as possible away from the smoke so that you/they can breathe in fresh air.
– Sit down or help the casualty to sit down in a comfortable position and loosen any tight clothing around the neck to help breathe normally.
– If you/they do not recover quickly, call 999/112 for an ambulance.
We hope you all enjoy bonfire night and remain safe throughout. Let us know your plans by tweeting us @ajuda_training we’d love to hear what you’re all up to!
Travel health tips for your summer adventures!
It’s that exciting time of year again where many of us are planning to pack up our suitcases and head to a warmer climate for our summer holidays – we hope you have something fun planned! For those who have set their sights on travelling abroad for their holidays, there will be lots to prepare and pack for your journey. It’s also a good idea to prepare yourself for any potential health risks so you can deal with them quickly and easily.
One of the most common holiday complaints are sickness bugs, which can be caused by a number of factors. To make sure you make the most of your hard-earned holiday, here are some top tips for keeping sickness bugs away when holidaying abroad.
Food poisoning
Some countries you will travel to may not have the same food safety standards as we do in the UK, and also some hotels may just simply not be up to scratch when cooking and preparing food. All-inclusive holidays have the highest reports of food poisoning based on insurance claims – this could be due to the buffet-style food that is often offered at meal times and the large quantities of food being cooked on-site.
Things to look out for:
- Lukewarm food – this suggest it has been left out for a while after being cooked, make sure your food is piping hot
- Undercooked food – check your meat is cooked properly before eating any, and perhaps ask for things to be cooked a bit longer (such as steak) when ordering for extra reassurance.
- Unclean settings – if a restaurant, shop or takeaway has visible signs of uncleanliness, it would be a good idea to give these places a miss!
If you have eaten something that has been improperly stored, prepared or cooked, you may experience symptoms of vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach cramps and dehydration caused by infections including salmonella, E coli and campylobacter.
Contaminated Water Bugs
Not all countries have the same standards of water cleanliness as we do in our taps, which is why you may have already been encouraged in the past to buy bottled water when travelling abroad in the past. Not only is drinking water a cause of sickness in people, but also the water from a swimming pool or hot tub.
Top Tips:
- Avoid having ice in your drinks from restaurants or bars, as they will likely have used tap water for these as we do at home. When the ice melts we drink the contaminated water.
- Don’t jump straight into the pool or hot tub – take some time to check if the water appears to be clean and relatively free from insects or dirt.
- Even if the pool is clean, be careful not to swallow too much water, as the cleaning chemicals inside the water may also cause sickness.
If some contaminated water is drunk, the person may be affected by cryptosporidium, a parasite which causes watery diarrhoea, stomach cramps, vomiting and fever.
Sickness bug from other guests
Hotels, restaurants, poolside areas and many other places can also be a cause of sickness, as bugs can travel much more quickly if people are densely populated in an area such as those mentioned.
There is no real way of avoiding these types of bugs, however if there is news of a sickness bug travelling around your hotel it may be worth asking your travel company to try to provide alternative accommodation to ensure you are able to continue enjoying your holiday.
Treatment
All of the conditions mentioned above can usually be treated with over the counter medicines such as immodium, and by keeping yourself hydrated with bottled water, getting rest and taking things slowly.
If symptoms do persist, worsen or you have other cause for concern – seek medical attention immediately to be on the safe side. Before travelling you can research local doctors and hospitals to ensure you are fully prepared for whatever happens.
Ajuda offer a wide variety of courses focussed on treating common holiday minor illnesses and injuries, both in our online courses and our in-house training courses at the Cardiff Bay Training centre.
Get in touch if you would like to know more about our courses on offer and book one, either call 02920 576883 or email admin@ajuda.org.uk.
Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Week
Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Week is taking place from Monday 23rd May to Sunday 29th May this year. Diabetes UK joins NHS England as proud campaign partners for this annual awareness week.
For this year’s Prevention Week campaign, NHS England has created a digital toolkit which includes everything you need to support the week digitally, including social media posts, animations, web banners and more.
There are 13.6 million people in the UK at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. But for many people there are steps you can take to reduce your risk.
Ajuda is a proud sponsor of The Mental Health & Wellbeing Show May 11th 2023
A professional all-day show on the 11th May 2023. Aiming to promote positive mental health through open conversation, promoting awareness and sharing real-life experiences.
The show will include a selection of seminars focused on topics such as coping with mental illness, ways to promote positive mental health, and how to support people around you who are suffering with ill mental health. Alongside this is an exhibition with over 60 charities, organisations and companies promoting their helpful resources, services and initiatives designed to support positive mental health and wellbeing.
Adult Services, Schools, GPs, NHS Staff, CAMHS, Housing Associations, Charities, Youth Clubs, Staff in Residential Housing for Children and Mental Health, Foster Carers, Rehabilitation Centres, Colleges, Police Services, Sports Clubs, Spiritual and Holistic Therapists and many more!
Experiencing and living with mental health conditions including; Depression, Anxiety Disorders, PTSD, OCD, Post Natal Depression, Psychosis, Suicidal Thoughts. Mental Health recovery and journey, Mental Health in the workplace, school, college, university. Overcoming Eating Disorders, Addiction, Self Harm. The advantages of mindfulness, holistic therapies, meditation, sports and activities, arts and creative therapies. Living with Autism. The connection of diet & nutrition and mental health, The LGBTIQ+ community, The Role of the Mental Health First Aider in the Workplace, The Role of the Mental Health Lead in Schools. Psychological treatments. Experiencing loss, Peer support, Student life, Homelessness, Disability, Reducing stress and many more
This event is proudly sponsored and supported by Ajuda
Cardiff-based training company boosted by major new business wins
A Cardiff-based training company is going from strength to strength after securing contracts to provide services to some major organisations.
Ajuda Training Academy, which operates out of its education centre in Cardiff Bay, is a multi-award-winning company which delivers fully accredited vocational courses and qualifications to private companies and public sector organisations across the UK.
Ajuda’s suite of training courses includes, amongst others, first aid and mental health training, manual handling, health and safety, food hygiene, fire safety, and safeguarding.
The company’s latest client wins have seen it become the official first aid training provider for the Welsh Government, while also winning competitive tenders to provide first aid training to both Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and Cardiff Council.
In its 14 years of operation, Ajuda has delivered training to more than 90,000 people across England and Wales, providing them with fully accredited qualifications in a variety of vocational courses.
Dawn Evans
Dawn Evans, who is Ajuda’s managing director, said the new contracts have shown the company is among the country’s leading providers of training services.
“Over the years that Ajuda has been operating, we have become synonymous with quality, excellence, value, and attention to detail, attributes which have been recognised by the Welsh Government, NRW, and Cardiff Council,” Mrs Evans said.
“I am incredibly proud to have secured these contracts, and delighted that the three public bodies have recognised Ajuda’s excellence and will be able to access training of the highest calibre from our dedicated team.”
Mrs Evans added that the contract wins also help to highlight Ajuda’s innovative approach to training,
“In all of our courses we aim to make a difference and inspire others to do the same,” Mrs Evans added.
“The training is focused on each organisation’s individual requirements, using everyday scenarios, and a range of audio, visual, and kinaesthetic aids, to provide a wider understanding of the learning on offer.
“Our courses, which can be delivered through the Welsh language, are regulated by awarding bodies such as OFQUAL and Qualifications Wales, and our professional trainers have a wealth of knowledge within their individual fields, alongside formal teaching qualifications. The team at Ajuda is also proud to be recognised with the Investors in People Award.”
While you are here, why not browse our website and see the many courses we have on offer. There are over 100 courses within our face-to-face and online learning sections.
Contact the office if you have any questions by emailing admin@ajuda.org.uk or Telephone 02920576883
Happy St David’s Day / Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus
Why do we celebrate St. David's Day?
Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus or Happy St. David’s Day!
St. David’s Day is the celebration of the patron saint of Wales, St. David. Patron saints are chosen to be special protectors of an area or country. England, Ireland and Scotland all have their own patron saints, and each have their own national day to celebrate them too.
St. David was born in south-west Wales, near to a small city that is named after him today. Although no one knows exactly when he was born, many people guess that it was around the year 520 AD – however, some people believe that it was before this and that he lived for over 100 years!
It was a time where the Welsh kings had their own little kingdoms and most people lived on their own farmland. They were mostly Christian, and there were lots of monasteries built where people would learn and pray.
Nowadays, St. David’s Day is important to remember the life of St. David and everything he did for the country of Wales.
People wear a daffodil or a leek around this day, as they are two important symbols of Wales. This is because the daffodil begins to bloom early in the year around this time, and the symbol of the leek is thought to have come from a group of Welsh soldiers many years ago who would wear leeks to be able to tell each other apart from the English soldiers. It is also believed that when St. David was alive, one of the only things he ate was leeks too.
Why not make your own Traditional Welsh Cakes using our handy Recipe!!!
Ingredients
- 225g plain flour
- 85g caster sugar
- ½ tsp mixed spice
- ½ tsp baking powder
- 50g butter, cut into small pieces
- 50g lard, cut into small pieces, plus extra for frying
- 50g currant
- 1 egg, beaten
- splash milk
Method
- STEP 1
Tip the flour, sugar, mixed spice, baking powder and a pinch of salt into a bowl. Then, with your fingers, rub in the butter and lard until crumbly. Mix in the currants. Work the egg into the mixture until you have soft dough, adding a splash of milk if it seems a little dry – it should be the same consistency as shortcrust pastry.
- STEP 2
Roll out the dough on a lightly floured work surface to the thickness of your little finger. Cut out rounds using a 6cm cutter, re-rolling any trimmings. Grease a flat griddle pan or heavy frying pan with lard, and place over a medium heat. Cook the Welsh cakes in batches, for about 3 mins each side, until golden brown, crisp and cooked through. Delicious served warm with butter and jam, or simply sprinkled with caster sugar. Cakes will stay fresh in a tin for 1 week.
Keep Warm this Winter
Why is cold weather a problem?
When the temperature drops to below 8C, some people are at increased risk of:
- heart attack
- stroke
- flu
- pneumonia
- falls and injuries
- hypothermia
Cold weather can also affect people with mental health conditions, such as depression and dementia.
Who’s most at risk?
Very cold weather can affect anyone, but you are most vulnerable if:
- you’re 65 or older
- you’re on a low income (so can’t afford heating)
- you have a long-term health condition, such as heart, lung or kidney disease
- you’re disabled
- you’re pregnant
- you have young children (newborn to school age)
- you have a mental health condition
Be prepared
The Met Office provides weather forecasts on radio and TV, so listen in to these bulletins regularly to keep up-to-date with the weather.
Severe weather warnings are also issued on the Met Office website, through the Met Office Twitter feed, or you can call the Weather Desk on 0370 900 0100 or 01392 885 680.
The Met office also has advice on getting ready for winter.
This includes suggestions for practical things you can do to prepare for winter weather, including cold, ice and snow, high winds and flooding.
How to keep your home warm
Follow these tips to keep you and your family warm and well at home:
- if you’re not very mobile, are 65 or over, or have a health condition, such as heart or lung disease, heat your home to at least 18C (65F)
- keep your bedroom at 18C all night if you can – and keep the bedroom window closed
- during the day you may prefer your living room to be slightly warmer than 18C
- to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), babies should sleep in rooms heated to between 16C and 20C
- if you’re under 65, healthy and active, you can safely have your home cooler than 18C, if you’re comfortable
- draw curtains at dusk and keep doors closed to block out draughts
- get your heating system checked regularly by a qualified professional
Protect your health in the cold
If you start to feel unwell, even if it’s a cough or cold, don’t wait until it gets more serious. Seek advice from your pharmacist.
Follow these tips on keeping well in the cold:
- find out if you can get the flu jab for free on the NHS
- wear several layers of clothes rather than 1 chunky layer – clothes made from cotton, wool or fleecy fibres help to maintain body heat
- use a hot water bottle or electric blanket to keep warm in bed – but don’t use both at the same time
- have at least 1 hot meal a day – eating regularly helps keep you warm; and make sure you have hot drinks regularly
- try not to sit still for more than an hour or so indoors – get up and stretch your legs
- stay active – even moderate exercise can help keep you warm
- wrap a scarf loosely around your mouth when outdoors – add a hat and wear shoes with a good grip, too
- if you have a heart or respiratory problem, stay indoors during very cold weather
Look in on vulnerable neighbours and relatives
Check up on older neighbours and relatives, and those with heart or respiratory (breathing) problems, to make sure they:
- are safe and well
- are warm enough, especially at night
- have stocks of food and medicines so they don’t need to go out during very cold weather
If you’re worried about a relative or elderly neighbour, contact your local council or call the Age UK helpline on 0800 678 1174 (8am to 7pm every day).
If you’re concerned that the person may be suffering from hypothermia, contact NHS 111.
Ajuda speaking at the future of work conference 2023
Managing director of Ajuda Dawn Evans spoke at the Future of Work conference held at Techniquest in Cardiff. This conference hosts a range of companies that help assist with plans and strategies that help create a strong and resilient workforce.
Dawn spoke about the importance of mental health in the workplace, and why companies should invest in having mental health first aiders. Here is Dawn giving her talk at the conference.
More about our Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Course
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a training course that teaches individuals how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use issues. The course is designed to give people the skills and confidence to provide initial support to someone who may be developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis.
Participants in the course learn about common mental health conditions, how to offer initial help, and how to guide a person towards appropriate professional help. The course typically involves interactive activities, discussions, and practical skills-building exercises. The length of the course can vary, but most programs take between 12 and 16 hours to complete.
More about Ajuda Training Services
Ajuda is a multi-award-winning company and has been established for more than ten years. We provide accredited training courses from our classes based in Cardiff, providing training to areas all over Wales, the UK and in Europe.
Here at Ajuda, we are friendly teachers offering the highest customer service standards to all our clients. We can either teach our training courses from our training academy based in Cardiff Bay, or we can come to your location. Whatever the need we can deliver.
We can help equip your organisation with mental health first aiders
Investing in mental health first aiders can help the workforce in your company. Identifying someone who needs help and support with their mental health can prevent any long-term sickness leave. Our mental health first aid course helps people identify when someone needs help, and points them in the right direction connecting them to the right support.
Contact us
We regularly run mental heath first aid courses. We train people up to be mental health first aiders and certify people to help colleagues with their mental health in the workplace. Use the contact details below to get in touch and we’ll let you know when we are running our next course dates.
Tel: 029 2057 6883
Email:admin@ajuda.org.uk
Children’s Mental Health Week 2023
This year’s Children’s Mental Health Week is taking place on 6-12 February 2023. This year's theme is Let’s Connect and is about making meaningful connections. People thrive in communities, and this connection is vital for our wellbeing. Having healthy connections – to family, friends and others – can support our mental health and sense of wellbeing.
Place2Be launched Children’s Mental Health Week in 2015 to shine a spotlight on the importance of children and young people’s mental health. We hope to encourage more people than ever to get involved and spread the word.
Please add the dates to your calendar and sign up for email alerts for the latest Children’s Mental Health Week news.
Last year Children’s Mental Health Week focused on Growing Together. Place2Be encouraged children (and adults) to consider how they have grown, and how they can help others to grow…
It doesn’t have to be difficult. Our bodies and minds are connected, so simple things that we do to improve our physical wellbeing can help our mental wellbeing too.
We have our Youth Mental Health Webinar on 9th February and you can register for your FREE tickets here
Here at Ajuda Training Services we run regular Youth Mental Health First Aid training courses both Virtually and face to face.
Find a date and book yourself onto a course today
Click Here
Become a first aider this February
The workplace can seem like a safe place, but, there are risks you wouldn’t think of until they happen. An accident can occur at any time and if it did, who in the workplace is trained to help? It is a legal requirement as a company to ensure your employees receive immediate attention. Here are 10 reasons why you should consider First Aid Training for employees.
1. It can save lives
2. Reduce the number of workplace accidents
3. Positive work environment
4. Your company will be safer place to work
5. First aid kits are used properly
6. It can reduce recovery time
7. It can keep employees safe outside of the workplace
8. It’s a great team-building exercise
9. It gives your employees confidence and clarity during an emergency
First aid training doesn’t just teach your staff how to treat patients in need of first aid, it also gives them confidence and effectively manage an emergency without fear, confusion or overwhelm.
10. The cost of a First Aid at Work Training course is nothing compared to that of potentially saving a live.
Providing first aid and CPR training doesn’t cost much, but it will go a long way to ensuring workplace health and safety.
If this has given you something to think about we have many Training Courses available at Ajuda Training Academy, take a look at our course calendar, give us a call on 02920 576883, or email admin@ajuda.org.uk
First Aid at Work – 3 Day course
27th, 28th February & 1st March
27th – 28th March
24th – 26th April
£230 + vat per person
https://www.ajuda.org.uk/shop/courses/first-aid/level-3-award-in-emergency-first-aid-at-work-rqf/
Asthma Attacks and how to tackle them
What to do during Asthma Attacks
Asthma is a condition that affects the airways of the lungs. Asthma can cause the lungs to go into spasm and tighten which can make it very difficult to breathe for someone who is having an Attack. There are many factors that can trigger Asthma Attacks; the weather, allergies, over exertion, illness and stress to name but a few.
3 people die every day in the UK from fatal Asthma Attacks; these could potentially be avoided if people understood more about the condition. Every 10 seconds someone has a potentially life-threatening asthma attack.
What are the symptoms of Asthma Attacks?
-Tight chest
-Difficulty breathing
-Wheezing
-Coughing
-Distress
-Struggling to speak, sleep or eat
-Children can sometimes complain of a tummy ache
Usually, these symptoms will not occur suddenly.
What do you do when Asthma Attacks occur?
-Stay calm, panicking will only make things worse.
-Make them comfortable
-Ask them to use their reliever inhaler
-Reassure them
-Encourage slow and steady breathing
-If the casualty shows no sign of improvement or the casualty does not have their inhaler with them, call 999 or 112
If you think you are having an asthma attack and you are alone, take the above steps. Take slow and steady breaths and try to remain calm. If your symptoms do not improve, do not hesitate to call 999 or 112.
Advice for friends and family
It is very important that friends and family of Asthma sufferers know how they can help during an emergency.
If you have a personal Asthma action plan, it is useful to make copies and share it with people that are you are often with so that they have something to refer back to during an emergency.
If you are interested in learning how to help in emergency medical situations, please get in touch with our team about booking yourself a space on one of our first aid training courses. Contact us on admin @ajuda.org.uk or call 029 2057 6883.