GIFT - Gorleston's Independent First Aid Training

14/09/2026

First Aid At Work is NOT just about work.

One of the many things we always try to portray when we're running a course is this:

The skills you learn at work don’t just stay at work.

Yes, your employer may be paying for your training because they need First Aiders and need to make the workplace safer, which is a great thing, BUT! ...

There is a much bigger benefit for you 🫵🏻

Once you have learned how to recognise an emergency, perform CPR, use an AED, control a serious bleed, you take those skills home with you.

You take them to the football game, the school run, the supermarket and, most importantly, to your friends and family.

With over 20yrs in First Aid, one of the biggest misconceptions we come across is that First Aid at work is a workplace skill.

It isn’t. It is a life skill.

So if your employer offers you a first aid course, our advice is:

Take it. Learn it. Use it.

Your employer wins.
You win.
And potentially, one day, so does someone you love. ❤️

First aid responses don’t stop when your shift ends.

02/08/2026

Last day at the Gorleston Clifftop Festival and already so many people out and about!
Once again, our trainer, Laura will be holding the fort, doing some mini Basic Life Support demonstrations and selling our personalised travel sized First Aid kits and Resus Face Shields!
Same as yesterday, it's going to be another hot one, so please do take extra precautions and stay safe in the sun!
See you there!

01/08/2026

And we're up! Our trainer, Laura will be spending the weekend at the Gorleston Clifftop Festival, giving some Basic Life Support demonstrations, answering any First Aid questions that you may have, and selling our personalised travel sized First Aid kits and Resus Face Shields. (You can find us in arena 8) And what a lovely weekend we're forecast to have!
Please note, we are not here to administer First Aid, and that the First Aiders will be located further along the seafront by the fair ground (Arena 7, with the Emergency Services)
The Festival opens from 12 and will stay open till late, however we will be here till 5, but do feel free to come along and say hello! 👋🏻
If you are going to be here today or tomorrow, do be mindful that it is going to be another hot one, so take extra precautions and stay hydrated! ☀️

30/07/2026

With the weather continuing to stay nice and toasty, we thought we'd take a little look at heat related illnesses, how to spot them, and what steps you need to take should you suspect anyone suffering with a heat related illness.

In most cases, our bodies can regulate heat and cold very well.
The body regulates temperature by; shivering / moving somewhere warm / conversion of food / exercise / sweating / respiration / constriction of blood vessels to name a few.

What is a heat related illnesses?
When the body gets too hot, excessive sweating leads to a loss of salt and water, which can lead to illness, and in some cases, can be fatal. Some drugs, such as ecstasy, can affect the way the body regulates temperature.

Heat Exhaustion - This is not as serious as Heat Stroke. You need to cool the patient, remove them from the heat source (asking them to sit in the shade) and encourage them to lie down with their legs raised.
Signs and Symptoms - Confusion / headache / dizziness / sweating with pale, clammy skin / cramping in the arms, legs or abdomen / rapid weakening pulse and breathing.

Heat Stroke - This is when the body's thermostat fails and causes the body to become dangerously overheated. This can be a result of taking drugs (such as ecstasy) or after prolonged exposure to heat, or a high fever. The patient should be moved quickly to a cool place and cooled using a towel or sheet (not a blanket!) Which should be kept wet by continually pouring water over it. Call 999 immediately.
Signs and Symptoms - confusion / headache / dizziness / restlessness and discomfort / hot, flushed and dry skin (there will be no sweat) / full bounding pulse / and their level of response will deteriorate rapidly.

While anyone can suffer from either heat related illness, the most vulnerable are young children and the elderly, so keep an eye on the vulnerable members of your families, community and neighbours.

Remember to drink plenty and remain hydrated, wear a hat and protective clothing, and make sure you're wearing appropriate sun screen (factor 50+), and move into the shade where possible.

Enjoy the sun sensibly and responsibly. Happy summer! ☀️

10/07/2026

While we appreciate messages regarding course information, may we kindly request that you do not contact us via our personal accounts, and that all course related messages be sent to our page, via Messenger, where a member of our team will get back to you in due course.

Our personal accounts are for our personal use, during our own time, most of which is spent with our families and loved ones.

Also, if you message our personal accounts, your messages may end up in a spam folder and may get missed.

Any messages sent, whether via text, email, WhatsApp or Messenger, will be replied to during our office opening times, which is from 08:45 - 17:00 Monday to Friday.

We thank you for your understanding.

04/07/2026

Our trainer Laura is out at the Hopton Primary School fete, doing mini demonstrations and answering all your first aid questions. Hope to see you there!
Fete is open from 11am - 3pm! Feel free to pop along and say hello 👋🏻

01/06/2026

Such a lovely turn out for the Reedham Family Fun Day yesterday! A big thank you to those who came to say hello, had a go at the CPR demonstrations, but mostly to everyone who came to show their support, we really appreciate it! Despite a few questionable clouds, the weather held off and the sun was shining nicely all day 🌞😁

29/05/2026

On Sunday, our trainer Laura, will be running a stall selling some of our mini first-aid kits and resus face shields, holding a Q&A and doing some mini demonstrations at Reedham Village Hall Fete! Please note, the stall will be closed for 20 minutes at 1330 and again at 1500 as Laura has a surprise up her sleeve! 🎤🎵
Feel free to come along and enjoy good food from the BBQ, drinks at the bar, live music on the stage, but most of all, gorgeous, sunny weather! ☀️
We hope to see you there!

Join us on the 31st May 12-4pm for a summer Fun Day for all the family. Free entry.

Stalls, Raffle, Games, children’s entertainment, RCA Stage School performance, singing from Laura Daisy, Zumba Demonstration, have a go hoopers for dogs and much more.

And a special appearance from Bluey!!!

The Great Bake off. £2 per entry. Judging begins at 2:45pm. Either register online at https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/reedham-community-association or on the day (booking fee applies online)

If you would like to book a stall please either email [email protected] or call 01493 701107

(Stalls to provide their own table if possible)

26/05/2026

Now that the weather is heating up ☀️ you can help look after yourself and others by remembering SLIP, SLOP, SLAP:

SLIP on a thin layer of clothing

SLOP on broad-spectrum SPF30+ suncream

SLAP on a sunhat

While remembering this is important to protect yourselves from the sun, it is also vital to keep hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids. It is also important to stay cool by moving into a shaded area. Stay safe and enjoy the sun safely! 🌞🍦

12/05/2026

📢 We now have more course dates added online up to August next year! 📢