17/10/2025
Yesterday one of our very experienced and long standing advanced responders attended the finalists reception on our behalf, due to work commitments.
Phil, Operations Director was teaching first aid Blockley Church of England Primary School and then on to Chedworth Parish Council in the evening. I work as a field nurse delivering chemotherapy/immunology treatments as well as working at CFA.
So I hope North Cotswolds Awards and our sponsor Campden Home Nursing can accept our apology for not being present. But I am sure Mike represented us well, as he is very supportive to CFA.
Why do we want to win has been asked? Bare with me it’s a long one 🫣
To win would mean so much. It would confirm we are getting it right. Everyone wants to be a winner. But it’s the recognition from the community that all our efforts are worthwhile. First aid training or organising event cover isint something people want to do or fork out for, but in our current world it’s necessary. Not all people see it as a good thing. Until they experience something themselves. It is a saturated market, with lots of people and individuals doing the same business. We see ourselves as being unique, we are lucky to have this great rural area to ourselves, a large variety of businesses, schools and events.
We have a dedicated team, some have worked for us from the onset coming up to 9 years. We have pretty much a 100% rebooking. And for a number of customers we are seen as part of the team.
We are a small local family business, run solely by Phil, supported by me when I can. We started with one kit bag, couple of dummies and a few first aid items.
Now we have far more than that, our faithful ambulance and two 4x4 patient carrying vehicles.
We carry all airway management equipment, monitoring, medical gases, immobilisation and paramedic drugs/fluids. We can deal with the most minor through to the most major and we have!!
It’s all run from our house, so you can imagine the equipment held here, the jobs that don’t get done, our daughter who spends endless evenings or weekends on her own, etc…You never switch off when you run a business. Sat up at midnight answering emails or sending invoices and quotes.
It’s hard work and can be difficult and stressful for everyone at home.
We now offer a vast array and diverse list of training and courses for all ages, all needs and all people.
But the rewards of hearing stories where someone made a difference after receiving first aid training, or the reviews left by customers or the thank yous from patients who we treated at events makes it so worth it. The gratitude and appreciation associated with our name makes us all proud.
The fact we were nominated for 3 awards this year and the sharing of a lovely nomination makes us winners. But just that little bit left that says we WON would not only be for us, but the whole team. It’s for all of them. Our goal is to share the skills and confidence to deal with any accident or situation safely.
Here are just a few names we have tried to help and give a little bit extra along the way, plus the impromptu knocks at the door.
Headspace Cotswolds
Maggie's in Cheltenham
Freedom Day Centre
Cheltenham Guardians Safeguarding Team
Sunflowers Su***de Support
Bourton on the Water Parish Council
Royal British Legion
Cirencester College
And many more.
Make Cotswold First Aid 2025 winners!!
So please everyone pray this is our year.
