Residents at Exemplar Health Care Home Build Confidence with First Aid Training

Residents at Yarningdale care home in Codnor, Ripley have taken part in practical first aid training, gaining important basic first aid skills and boosting their confidence through an interactive, hands-on session.

The training, delivered by Exemplar Health Care’s Academy Manager, Jo Cheung, alongside the organisation’s Service User Engagement Manager and Yarningdale’s Home Manager, created an inclusive and supportive space where residents could learn key first aid techniques.

Yarningdale supports adults living with complex needs arising from neurological, mental, and physical health conditions.

The idea for the training came directly from residents, who expressed an interest in learning basic first aid. In response, the Regional Training Team designed a bespoke session tailored to their goals and interests.

At the beginning of the session, some residents shared their existing knowledge of first aid, including from past roles as carers or healthcare workers, while others expressed that they simply wanted to learn more about what to do in the event of an accident or emergency.

Graham, a resident at Yarningdale, shared:
“My uncle was a Paramedic, and I learned a lot from him. I used to be a Carer too and we did first aid training. You remember a lot, but some things change so it’s been good to refresh my knowledge!”

The session covered CPR, the recovery position, what to do in the event of a burn, managing bleeding, and responding to seizures – breaking down each topic into clear, practical steps to make it accessible for everyone.

The training included demonstrations, group discussions, and plenty of opportunities for hands-on practice – from applying bandages to performing chest compressions on a CPR mannequin – all in a safe, supportive setting.

At the end of the session, everyone was presented with certificates to celebrate their participation.

Jo Cheung, Academy Manager at Exemplar Health Care, said:
“This session was designed to offer residents the opportunity to develop valuable and practical life skills in a supportive environment. Following the success at Yarningdale, we hope to roll this out across all regions – giving everyone the opportunity to take part in this positive and inclusive learning experience.”