General News Archives - Page 9 of 13

Time to Talk Day 2018

Posted on January 31, 2018April 18, 2019 by Dawn Evans

On the 1^st February 2018 it is National #TimeToTalk Day. Time to Talk Day is a day designed to encourage the nation to break the silence around mental health problems and the stigma that is consequently attached to it. It’s easy to think that there is no right place to talk about mental health. But, the more we talk about it, the better and healthier life is for all of us. Get involved with Time to Talk Day by having a conversation about mental health and showing that we can all talk about this subject anywhere – in a lift, at the gym or even up a mountain!

Ajuda are avid supporters of mental health campaigns such as Time to Talk – we believe strongly that not only is it important to look after our own mental health, it is important to look out for people around us such as colleagues, family, friends and even strangers.

Why?

A whopping one in four people are affected by mental health problems at some point during their life. This means that right now, one of your friends, colleagues or loved ones is currently affected. Despite how common mental illness is, people are still afraid to talk about it. Unfortunately, this often means that people suffer alone because they are too afraid to speak out about their health problems.Time to Talk day aims to get people talking about mental health and through this, stop the stigma, aid recovery, improve relationships and break down stereotypes regarding something that can affect us all. Together we can stop people from feeling isolated or judged when they are experiencing a mental health problem. Too many people with mental health problems are made to feel isolated, worthless and ashamed. Time to Talk Day is a chance for all of us to be more open about mental health.

How?

This year, on Time to Talk Day, we would like to urge everyone to open the conversation on mental health wherever you are. At Ajuda, we will be sure to have a positive and honest conversation in the office about mental health. We will also be talking about mental health across all our social media platforms throughout the day and joining in the conversation online.

Training

If mental health is something that you are interested in learning more about, Ajuda offer Mental Health Awareness courses. For more information about this please call us on 029 2057 6883.

Useful Resources

For further information about Time To Talk Day please visit www.time-to-change.org.uk

If you are concerned about your own or somebody else’s mental health please visit this page on Mind’s website for information about how to deal with this.

Dawn Evans to talk at The National Education Show

Posted on January 31, 2018April 18, 2019 by Dawn Evans

Dawn Evans is also set to talk at The National Education Show in November 2018. Dawn established Ajuda 10 years ago after her young daughter choked on a sweet. She realised the huge importance of first aid training; if she did not have essential first aid skills, her daughter could have died. After this incidence, Dawn set out to become a qualified first aid trainer and started teaching parents, teachers, creche assistants, schools and colleges first aid skills. First aid and teaching people how easy it is to save a life has become a passion for Dawn.

Ajuda specialises in a variety of health and safety related courses in order to keep schools safe. Ajuda facilitates affordable courses in schools throughout the UK and are specialists in onsite training during school inset days.

At The National Education Show, Dawn will be holding a seminar introducing how to perform CPR and use a defibrillator in a school environment. Parents count on school staff & teachers to keep their children safe – in class, in the halls, and on the athletic fields. By attending Dawn’s seminar, delegates will take a step towards becoming advocates for automated external defibrillators. Delegates will learn, on a basic level, how to protect children and staff from sudden cardiac arrest and potentially death. Being equipped with this life-saving knowledge also ensures that other teachers are protected in the school environment.

During the seminar, Dawn will be showing attendees the basic skills required to save a life, including the use of CPR and the external defibrillator. To book your ticket to attend Dawn’s seminar, please see here.

The National Education show is an all-day education conference in South Wales that plays host to over 4,000 teachers, 100 companies and 40 professional speakers. Last year, Ajuda ran a competition at the show for attendees to win a life-saving defibrillator for their school. The lucky school that won the competition was Blaenavon Heritage VC Primary School. We are thrilled to announce that this year we will be running the same competition. For more information about our stand please read our exhibitor spotlight here.

Please see here to find out more about Dawn. To book your ticket for Dawn’s seminar please see here.

Dawn Davies to talk at The National Education Show

Posted on January 25, 2018April 18, 2019 by Dawn Evans

One of our fantastic trainers has been selected to speak at the prestigious National Education Show in November.

Dawn Davies, a retired qualified nurse, has a wealth of experience in the field and in the classroom. Dawn will be delivering a seminar on identifying, diagnosing and treating ongoing medical conditions affecting children. Dawn regularly delivers seminars and training to teachers and students regarding medical conditions, such as asthma, diabetes and anaphylaxis.

Medical conditions are a huge worry for any parent and teacher. During the seminar Dawn will show attendees how to recognise and treat a child or teacher suffering from a variety of medical conditions. Dawn will share her wealth of experience and explain how to keep children safe in the classroom, whilst enjoying their school years with a controlled medical condition.

To book your ticket to attend Dawn’s seminar, please see here.

The National Education Show is an all-day education conference in Wales that plays host to over 4,000 teachers, 100 companies and 40 professional speakers. Last year, Ajuda were sponsors/supporters of the show and exhibited in the upstairs hall. We ran a competition at the show for teachers to win a life-saving defibrillator for their school. We’re thrilled to announce that this year we will be running the same competition. For more information about our stand please read our exhibitor spotlight here.

Defibrillator sale: save £550 on life-saving device

Posted on January 17, 2018April 18, 2019 by Dawn Evans

Purchase a Cardiac Science Powerheart G5 defibrillator worth £1,500 for just £950 from Ajuda this month.

We will be donating 100% of the profit from defibrillator sales to Cancer Research Wales ahead of our Managing Director Dawn’s trek up Machu Picchu in November. Find more information on that, here.

What is the purpose of a defibrillator?

If a defibrillator is used and effective CPR is performed within 3-5 minutes of cardiac arrest, chances of survival will increase from 6% to 74%.
The current rate of initial bystander CPR is reported at just 43%.Unfortunately, only 20% of cardiac arrest victims are in a ‘shock-able’ rhythm when the Emergency Services arrive; this figure could be increased if more cardiac arrest victims received CPR from bystanders. Furthermore, when someone is suffering from cardiac arrest, every minute that passes without CPR and defibrillation reduces their chances of survival by 7-10%.

Cardiac arrest can effect anyone, from children, to healthy young adults, to the elderly; by installing a defibrillator on your premises, you are contributing to making it a safe space.

How do I place an order?

Why Cancer Research?

In September 2018, Ajuda’s Managing Director, Dawn Evans, will be trekking up Machu Picchu with a team of other fundraisers. Dawn will be fundraising for Cancer Research Wales. She will be doing this in memory of a life-long friend who sadly passed away in 2016 from cancer.

Cancer Research Wales funds a great variety of projects in Wales which are important in the battle against cancer.

These projects are undertaken in the universities and hospitals throughout the principality and cover many cancer sites that include cancers of the prostate, colon, breast, kidney, blood (leukemia), cervix and esophagus. As well as focusing on site specific cancers the Cancer Research Wales research portfolio is rich in studies that seek to better understand the fundamental processes of cancer biology that are common to all cancers, such as uncontrolled cell growth, invasion and spread, resistance to chemo- and radiotherapies and immune evasion.

Facing being made redundant? Training opportunities for you.

Posted on January 8, 2018April 18, 2019 by Dawn Evans

With recent news from local companies such as Brains Brewery of jobs under threat and pending redundancies on the horizon, we have written this blog to signpost accessible opportunities that are available to you here in Wales if you are made redundant.

Being made redundant can be a time of great stress and unease. On the plus side however, it can open up new and exciting opportunities for you – you could be right around the corner from a whole new career change. Is it possible that you might want to retrain or add to your existing skillset?

There are many different routes that you can take when you have been made redundant. Our personal favourite? Retraining!

In fact, one of our trainers received funding to retrain after an injury prevented her to continue her career as a nurse. After taking her training with Ajuda through funding, she became one of our brilliant regular tutors. Receiving funding helped her to develop both her career and as a person.

Been made redundant? How funding from the Welsh Government can help you through your redundancy: ReAct.

The Redundancy Action Scheme (ReAct) is a programme of funding for training provided by the Welsh Government for people facing redundancy who live or work in Wales. If you have been made redundant in the last 3 months and are currently unemployed, or, are currently under notice of redundancy, you will be eligible to ReAct funding. You are entitled to £1,500 worth of training to upskill or retrain to help you become employed. Additional funding can also be accessed to help towards extra costs associated with training such as, travel, accommodation, and childcare. This is only available to you if you have not undertaken any publicly funded training since being made redundant.

Ajuda Ltd specialise in providing training to individuals to increase their employment prospects. Every place of work requires or would highly benefit from employing somebody trained in first aid, fire safety, customer service and more. Furthermore, like our trainer, you could pursue a fulfilling career as a trainer. We offer a full range of accredited training to suit your individual needs. Each training programme can be individually tailored to ensure each individual has the best possible chance of regaining future employment.

If you would like to know more, please contact us on 02920 576 883 or email Daisy on admin@ajuda.org.uk for free advice and further information. You can also pop in to your nearest Careers Wales office for further guidance about the ReAct scheme.

Defibrillator delivered to lucky school by Ajuda

Posted on November 22, 2017April 18, 2019 by Dawn Evans

We are thrilled to announce that the winner of our free defibrillator competition that we ran at The National Education Show last month is Blaenavon Heritage VC Primary School. The defibrillator was delivered by our Managing Director, Dawn, on 21^st November along with a practical demonstration of how to use it for the staff.

On average, defibrillators are worth between £1,000 – £1,500. The model that we have given as a prize is the LIFEPAK CR Plus AED. The school and the nearby rugby club had previously been fundraising for a defibrillator earlier on in the year but unfortunately, the fundraiser fell through at the last minute. Winning this prize has come as a very welcome surprise to all members of staff at Blaenavon Heritage VC Primary and to members of staff at the adjoining leisure centre. All staff, parents, pupils and members of the public in close vicinity can feel protected and assured that they are in a heart safe area.

“I am absolutely thrilled to be in a position where I can give away one of these incredible devices. I’m really passionate about introducing more and more defibrillators into public spaces and ultimately saving lives. Thanks to a life-saving defibrillator and CPR training, my father is alive today. The fact that the defibrillator can be accessed in both the school and the leisure centre in Blaenavon is fantastic news” said Dawn after delivering the special prize.

The defibrillator will be used to give a high energy electric shock to the heart through the chest wall to someone who is in cardiac arrest. Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) can affect people of all ages, gender, ethnicity and fitness levels. According to Resuscitation Council UK, a staggering 270 children die every year from SCA at school whilst 12 people under the age of 35 die each week due to SCA. If CPR is performed alongside the use of a defibrillator within the first 3-5 minutes, survival chances increase from 6% to 74%.

These statistics highlight how crucial it is that schools are as prepared as possible to help somebody who has suffered a cardiac arrest. With their previous first aid training and their new defibrillator, Blaenavon Heritage VC Primary School is now one of the safer schools in Wales. Having a defibrillator on-site means that both the staff and the pupils are protected whilst at school. We are delighted to have played a part in creating a new heart safe area in Wales and are dedicated to introducing defibrillators into as many public spaces as possible.

Have you spotted a defibrillator in your local area? If so, let us know or send us a picture on Twitter @ajuda_training.

How to stay safe on Halloween

Posted on October 30, 2017April 18, 2019 by Dawn Evans

Happy Halloween!

We all love Halloween; from trick or treating to ghoulish parties, there is something for everyone.

Unfortunately, there are risks that everyone should be aware of around this time of year – particularly if you also have young children to consider. We have written this blog to highlight some of the risks associated with Halloween that don’t come down to scary characters such as witches or ghosts.

As big fans of Halloween, we want to ensure that everybody has fun whilst remaining vigilant and safe.

Trick or Treating Safely

Walk Safely

– Cross the street at corners, using zebra crossings and the green man where possible.

– Look left, right and left again when crossing the road and ensure you keep looking as you cross.

– Don’t look down at your phone or other electronic devices whilst walking, particularly when crossing the road.

– Always walk on the pavement.

– Keep an eye out for cars that are turning or parking. Teach children to never run out into the street or cross between parked cars.

Trick or Treat with an Adult

– Any children under the age of 12 should not be alone at night without adult supervision. If children are mature enough to be out trick or treating without adult supervision, they should be in familiar areas that are well lit and go out in groups.

– If children are old enough to go out on their own, walkie talkies are a great way to keep in touch and ensure that they are safe.

Other tips and tricks

– Consider giving your child a torch to carry and adding glowsticks to their costume to improve visibility

– Ensure that children bring all sweets home to check for choking hazards or allergies and that all sweets are wrapped.

– Tell children to respect neighbours and do not enter any house under any circumstance.

– Set a route and time for return.

Keep Costumes Safe

– As already touched on, decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape, stickers or glowsticks. Choose as light colours as possible.

– Do not obstruct vision – choose face paint and make up where possible rather than masks.

– Make sure the costumes fits to size to prevent slips, trips and falls.

– Ensure you choose a costume that is not flammable. There have been many horrifying cases where children or adult costumes have caught fire causing severe injuries. Halloween costumes are listed at toys and are not subjected to regulated clothing standards, which means that a child’s outfit does not have to be fireproofed to the regulated standard.

– Leave sharp and pointy props at home.

Driving Safely on Halloween

Even if you are not taking part in Halloween celebrations it is incredibly important to stay vigilant and drive safely.

– Drive slowly particularly in residential areas. Excitable children can move in unpredictable ways. Anticipate heavy pedestrian traffic.

– Take extra time to look for children at junctions, crossing the road and when parking.

– Enter driveways and lanes slowly and carefully.

– Eliminate any distractions inside your car e.g. loud music so that you can concentrate and the road and your surroundings.

– The most popular trick-or-treating hours are between 5:30 and 9:30 pm. So be especially alert for children during these hours.

So, there you have it, your guide to a safer Halloween. We’d love to hear from you about what you’ll be up to on Halloween – get in touch via twitter @ajuda_training. Remember to have fun, stay safe and have a very Happy Halloween!

An insight into Education and Training

Posted on October 25, 2017April 18, 2019 by Dawn Evans

Last week Ajuda ran a Level 3 award in Education and Training at our training academy in Cardiff Bay. The intensive course ran over 5 days.

The course covers the basics of teaching in further education. Topics covered on the course include; roles, responsibilities and relationships in education and training, inclusive approaches to teaching and learning, lesson planning, assessment, record keeping, use of resources, how to motivate learners, communication and questioning skills, legal requirements and the development of English, Maths and ICT skills.

Our delegates also successfully delivered 20 minute micro-teaches at the end of the course.

“Great fun and a great experience – I learnt so much” said delegate, Ross.

The delegates delivered micro-teaches on a huge variety of topics such as, how to peel a banana, how to make a cup of tea, sexual education and how to put on a condom correctly, how to make a paper aeroplane, customer service skills and mental health and wellbeing.

Delegate, Daisy, said that “the atmosphere on the course was consistently welcoming and inclusive. The tutor, Menna, ensured that everyone respected each other and was comfortable throughout the week. Although we all had varying levels of experience in teaching and training (I had none), we were all brought up to the same level and I left feeling confident in delivering a lesson. A sometimes challenging but overall fantastic week. I would 100% recommend this course to anyone who is looking to start training.”

Although the week was incredibly challenging and intensive for the delegates, they absolutely smashed it. Ajuda are proud to have trained 4 brilliant teachers ranging from, first aid trainers, an SIA trainer and a mental health awareness trainer. Good luck in the future everyone!

For more information about the Level 3 award in Education and Training qualification, please see here.

Win a life-saving defibrillator for your school!

Posted on October 3, 2017April 18, 2019 by Dawn Evans

Ajuda are excited to be giving away a FREE defibrillator at The National Education Show in Cardiff City Hall on 13^th October. Visit us at stand 120 to enter our prize draw and potentially win a life-saving defibrillator for your school.

A defibrillator is an important piece of equipment that can truly help to save a life by giving a high energy electric shock to the heart in certain types of cardiac arrest. Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) alone raises a person’s chance of survival from a cardiac arrest to 4%; CPR combined with the use of an AED can increase the chance of survival to 74%.

If you are attending The National Education Show next week, please come along to our stand and get involved.

Watch our video to see what our MD, Dawn, has to say about the exciting giveaway:

Are you interested in becoming a trainer?

Posted on October 3, 2017May 8, 2019 by Dawn Evans

Ajuda will be running a Level 3 award in Education and Training course from 16th October – 20th October. Formerly known as PTLLS, the Award in Education and Training is a short course that is designed to enable a wide range of students to undertake teaching, training or other learning tasks relevant to their own training or teaching situation. The Level 3 Award in Education and Training is an important qualification for anyone working in or interested in working in teaching. It is suitable for those already in education, who want to gain formal recognition of their skills, and for those with no teaching experience at all. It is recommended for all teachers new to the sector, whether in further education, adult and community learning, work-based learning or other parts of the learning and skills sector.

Teachers play an important role within society and can have a large impact on the lives of those that they teach. This makes teaching and training an extremely worthwhile career.

The course will cover:

– Unit 1: Understanding the roles, responsibilities and relationships in education and training.

– Unit 2: Understanding and using inclusive teaching and learning approaches in education and training.

– Unit 3: Understanding assessment in education and training.

Dates: 16^th – 20^th October

Time: 9:30 – 4:30

Location: 15 Mount Stuart Square, Cardiff Bay

Cost: £525+VAT

For more information or to book yourself or someone you know a place, please contact Daisy on 029 2057 6883 or admin@ajuda.org.uk

Ajuda’s Mike to talk fire safety in schools at The National Education Show

Posted on September 12, 2017April 18, 2019 by Dawn Evans

The National Education Show launches in Cardiff on the 13^th October at Cardiff City Hall. Ajuda are excited to be exhibiting at the show – you can find us at stand 120. One of our trainiers will also be talking about Fire Safety.

Mike Pratt

We are pleased to announce that Ajuda trainer, Mike, will be speaking at The National Education show. His seminar will be about fire safety and precautionary measures within a school environment. Mike is a retired fireman with 30 years of first-hand experience behind him. At the show he will be demonstrating to attendees how they can keep their school safe by preventing any potential fire hazards. During his talk, Mike will take you through the importance of a safe escape plan, the use of fire extinguishers and dealing with the aftermath of a school fire.

Although the number of school fires has been in decline since 2001 (from 1,600 to 600 school fires per year), if a fire does occur, the impact can be devastating. Mike will guide you through the implications of school fires such as the immediate aftermath and the longer-term issues. He will talk about how these will effect staff, students and parents alike. For example, casualties, school closures or relocation. All schools must ensure that fire precautions comply with all relevant health and safety, including The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, and The Education (School Premises) Regulations 2012.

Want to know more?

For more information about booking on to Mike’s talk or attending the show in general, please contact Trudy on 029 2240 0382 or nationaleducationshow@gmail.com

For information about booking Fire Safety and the Role of the Fire Marshal training for your school, please contact Daisy on 029 2057 6883 or admin@ajuda.org.uk

World First Aid Day 2017

Posted on September 5, 2017April 18, 2019 by Dawn Evans

On 9^th September, it will be World First Aid Day 2017. This campaign was introduced in 2000 by The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

It is most likely that if you have to perform first aid, it will be on someone that you know. It could be a family member, a friend, a work colleague or a young child that you know. First aid emergencies can range from bleeding, choking and CPR. Once acquired, first aid knowledge is something that you will take with you every day throughout your life, equipping you to remain calm and save someone’s life in an emergency.

This year the campaign is focussing on domestic accidents. These could include burns, slips and trips, cardiac arrest and many more. You do not require previous medical knowledge to learn basic first aid skills. Knowing how to handle emergencies around the house (and anywhere else!) is a vital life-skill.

How can you get involved?

– Invest in a good quality first aid kit. First aid kits are essential to every home and should hold various items such as, plasters, bandages, antiseptic cream, thermometer and painkillers. Having all medical items in one place during an emergency is incredibly helpful and will save time and reduce pressure, allowing you to act more efficiently.

– It is important (particularly if you have children in the home) to risk assess and maintain a generally safe environment to reduce the likelihood of preventable injuries. Read our blog about how to keep your home safe here: https://www.ajuda.org.uk/how-to-make-your-home-safer/

Learn

Book yourself onto a first aid course to learn first-hand how to handle medical emergencies. Basic first aid courses cover topics such as bleeding, CPR and the recovery position. To book yourself onto a first aid course with Ajuda or for more information about the courses we offer, please contact us on 029 2057 6883.

Email us on admin@ajuda.org.uk

Or check out our course calendar on ajuda.org.uk

– Research. The internet is full of useful resources such as video demonstrations and in depth information about first aid scenarios. Check out our video series showing you how to handle paediatric medical emergencies here: http://ow.ly/PbMi30eValx