Empowering Future Health & Social Care Professionals: First Steps First Aid at City of Portsmouth College
At First Steps First Aid Ltd, we’re passionate about delivering practical, life-saving skills that make a real difference—and last week, we had the privilege of sharing those skills with the next generation of healthcare professionals at City of Portsmouth College.
As part of the college’s inspiring Employability Skills Week, our trainers Jess and Molly ran an interactive Basic Life Support (BLS) workshop for Health & Social Care students. The afternoon session gave learners hands-on experience in life-saving first aid techniques, including how to recognise cardiac arrest, perform CPR, and use a defibrillator (AED).
Why Basic Life Support Matters for Health & Social Care Students
For students pursuing a career in care or healthcare, first aid knowledge isn’t just a bonus—it’s essential. Our workshop was designed to:
Build confidence in emergency response
Improve understanding of CPR and defibrillator use
Encourage quick, calm decision-making in high-pressure situations
Provide practical skills that students can take into real-world placements
Many of these students will go on to work in hospitals, care homes, or community care settings where first aid could be the difference between life and death.
By offering a hands-on, engaging session delivered by qualified medical professionals, we helped bridge the gap between classroom learning and the practical skills employers are looking for.
Supporting Portsmouth’s Future Workforce
The entire Employability Skills Week was a shining example of how to prepare students for the realities of today’s job market. Organised by the college’s fantastic Work Experience Team, the week featured talks and activities led by:
The Royal Navy
University of Portsmouth
Portsmouth City Council Public Health
Local care providers and guest employers
Students took part in mock interviews, Q&A sessions, and even visited care homes to support activities with residents—gaining vital real-world exposure.
We were honoured to be part of the grand finale with our workshop, giving students not just knowledge, but skills they can rely on for life.
“The finale was an afternoon workshop delivered by the brilliant Jess and Molly from First Steps First Aid Ltd, where students learnt how to identify and perform life saving Basic Life Support including the use of a defibrillator.”
— City of Portsmouth College
Why We Partner with Local Colleges and Schools
At First Steps First Aid, we believe in giving back to our community and empowering young people with the tools to act in an emergency. Working with colleges like COPC is an essential part of our mission.
We offer a range of first aid training courses for students, including:
Basic Life Support for Health & Social Care students
First Aid for Schools
Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) for school leavers and apprentices
Bespoke in-college workshops for specific vocational pathways
All our training is led by registered paramedics and medical professionals, and is fully regulated and HSE compliant.
Book Student First Aid Training with First Steps First Aid Lt
If you're a college, sixth form, or school looking to give your students practical, hands-on first aid experience, we’d love to hear from you. We deliver on-site training across Portsmouth, Hampshire, and the South Coast, with tailored packages to suit different age groups and study pathways.
📞 Call us on 02394 422000
📧 Email: info@firststepsfirstaid.co.uk
🌐 Visit: www.firststepsfirstaid.co.uk
First Steps First Aid Ltd
Engaging, compliant first aid training—delivered by medical professionals, without the huge costs.
📍 Training Venue:
4a Exchange House
122–124 London Road
North End, Portsmouth
PO2 9DD
