First Aid at Work Aberdeen & Aberdeenshire is celebrating its seventh birthday this week, marking seven years of helping people across the North-east gain the confidence and skills to step forward in an emergency.
Owner and Lead Trainer Sarah Phillips launched her business in September 2019, although her journey as a First Aid Trainer began several years earlier, in 2012.
Since then, Sarah has delivered training to people from an incredible variety of workplaces and organisations across Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and beyond – from oil and energy, engineering and construction to hospitality, education, care, charities, offices and local community organisations.
Sarah said: “It really doesn't feel like seven years – it feels like 17!
“When I started the business in 2019, I certainly couldn't have predicted everything that the next few years would bring.
“Running your own business can be brilliant one minute and have you wondering what on earth you're doing the next! But seven years later, I'm still here, still growing and, most importantly, I still genuinely love walking into a training room and doing what I do.
“Anyone who has been on one of my courses will know that I'm not a sit quietly and watch the PowerPoint kind of trainer. I want people talking, asking questions and getting stuck in. First Aid is a serious subject, but that doesn't mean the training has to be dull!
“My aim has always been to make training fun, engaging and memorable. Because three months after a course, I don't particularly care whether somebody can remember what was written on slide 27 – I want them to remember what to do when somebody actually needs their help.”
And behind all the fun and engaging training is one very important message: FACT: First Aid Saves Lives.
Having someone nearby who knows what to do in those first few minutes of an emergency can make a real difference.
For Sarah, successful First Aid training isn't simply about delegates completing a course and leaving with a certificate. It's about giving people the practical skills – and, just as importantly, the confidence – to step forward and help when somebody needs them.
Over the past seven years, First Aid at Work Aberdeen & Aberdeenshire has continued to develop its range of training, including Emergency First Aid at Work, First Aid at Work, Paediatric First Aid, Forestry First Aid, Basic Life Support and AED training, alongside Workplace Mental Health training.
Looking ahead to year eight, Sarah plans to continue growing the business while keeping the personal, practical and engaging approach that has been at its heart from the beginning.
Sarah added: “A huge thank you has to go to every business, organisation and individual who has booked a course, come back to me for their refresher training, recommended me to somebody else, shared one of my posts or simply supported the business over the last seven years.
“There have certainly been plenty of ups and downs along the way, but I am incredibly proud of what I've built and enormously grateful to everyone who has been part of it.
“Seven years down... here's to year eight!
“And remember – FACT: First Aid Saves Lives.”