I have been involved in first aid since joining the Royal Army Medical Corps at the age of 19. During my time there, I achieved Combat Medical Technician (CMT) Level 1 and the rank of Sergeant. Part of my role involved training medics to progress through the levels to CMT 1.
After leaving the Army, I joined a large voluntary first aid organisation. Over the next twenty years, I was involved in training a wide variety of people in first aid, as well as providing first aid cover at events such as T in the Park, Braemar Highland Games, Tall Ships, concerts, and more. We won the UK First Aid Championships and came second in the European First Aid Championships. I also worked full-time with local authorities as a First Aid Trainer and Health & Safety Co-ordinator.
I established Grampian Training Services in 2009, initially focusing on providing first aid training to primary school pupils. We also delivered cost-effective first aid training to several local companies. Due to financial constraints in schools, I decided to separate the school first aid training function into Schools First Aid Training Services CIC, with the aim of enabling the CIC to apply for funding to train pupils within their schools.
Grampian Training Services provides effective, cost-efficient first aid training to several local authorities, as well as a range of local businesses. We also deliver training on behalf of national companies to employees of major organisations based in Scotland.
All of our trainers are highly skilled in both hands-on first aid and in training a wide range of delegates. Several have experience responding to emergency calls on behalf of the Scottish Ambulance Service. Our training is regulated by the First Aid Industry Body (FAIB) and recognised by the HSE. It is effective—delegates leave our courses confident in their ability to respond in an emergency, whether at work, at home, or in their community—while remaining cost-effective for employers.
I became interested in first aid at the age of 11 with the St Andrew’s Ambulance Association Junior Cadets and have been involved in its delivery of teaching ever since.
I spent approx. 4 years serving with the local Royal Army Medical Corps unit achieving Combat Medical Technician Level 1 qualification. Shortly after leaving I began working with the Scottish Ambulance Service. I have recently retired after 36 years of service including 33 years front line A & E work with 30 years as a qualified Paramedic.
I have always looked upon first aid as a very vital life skill which should be known, even at its most basic and life saving level, by everyone.
From experience I can attest to the fact that it is not paramedics, nurses or doctors who save lives. In life threatening emergency situations such as cardiac arrest, severe bleeding and other immediately life threatening occurrences, it is the first person to step up and provide appropriate intervention that saves a life.
That is why I feel passionately about both encouraging people to learn simple first aid skills, as well as doing the training, to potentially save a life.
I’ve always been a people person and really enjoy roles where I get to connect with others. I started learning first aid when I was younger, which sparked an early interest in safety and helping others. Over the years, I’ve worked as a lifeguard, nursery nurse, and swim teacher—all jobs that taught me how to stay calm under pressure, communicate well, and build trust with people of all ages. These experiences naturally led me to my current role as a First Aid Trainer, which brings together everything I love about working with people and teaching practical skills.
One of the best parts of my job is meeting so many different people and helping them feel confident in handling real-life situations. I really enjoy making the training sessions relaxed, hands-on, and easy to follow—no matter someone’s background or experience. It’s such a good feeling to know that what I’m teaching could one day help save a life. Being able to share useful skills, have a laugh along the way, and see people leave feeling more capable is what makes this job so rewarding for me.
I am a retired Paramedic with 19 years’ service with the Scottish Ambulance Service. During my service I gained a number of awards including Dementia Ambassador for the Social Services and the Ambulance Service, The Chairmans Scottish Patients Safety Award and numerous commendations for my Paramedic practice.
I have always been people centred, having volunteered for the Red Cross and the British Heart Foundation in both teaching and volunteering. I currently teach first aid and volunteer for two Event First Aid organisations with which I give my time over most weekends. This covers providing first aid at events and bringing fellow first aiders up to the advanced FREC 3 level medical standard. This increases their skill levels and improves care they are able to give to casualties.
