Press

Conference Early Booking Discount Extended

Due to popular demand, the Volunteer Managers Conference early booking concessionary rate has been extended until Tuesday 31st August.

What people said about the 2008 Conference:

"An excellent day, everyone was very friendly and informative" - Tracey Morgan, BFVA

"One of the liveliest and most informative conferences I have attended" - Amanda Eastaugh, Downland
 
"Exceeded my expectations" - Sarah Hodgetts, 3VA


Don't miss your chance to attend this years one-day conference taking place at Wellshurst Golf and Country Club on Thursday 23rd September, for the amazing price of just £35 per delegate.

Book now to avoid disappointment!

First Aid Newsletter August 2010

Condition of the month:  Concussion

The brain is cushioned within the skull by cerebro-spinal fluid.  After a blow to the head (perhaps caused by accidents, falls or sports injuries), the brain experiences ‘shaking’.  Since the brain and fluid move at different speeds, the brain can move from one side to the other, colliding with the inside of the skull.

This brain ‘shaking’ is known as concussion.  Concussion causes widespread, but temporary, disruption to normal functioning.  It is not usually associated with any lasting damage, and the casualty should recover completely if no complications are present.

Signs and Symptoms:

The casualty may have a short period of impaired consciousness, possibly even unconsciousness (usually not more than 3 minutes).  Their level of consciousness and responses should improve fairly quickly, however it is not uncommon for casualties to experience short-term memory loss (particularly related to the incident that caused the concussion).

Other signs and symptoms might include:

·         Dizziness,

·         Mild, general headache,

·         Nausea and possible vomiting,

·         Confusion, or

·         Pale, clammy skin

Giving First Aid:

Assess the casualty for any impaired consciousness using A.V.P.U.:

Ø  Alert – eyes are open and the casualty responds to questions

Ø  Voice – responds to voice and can obey simple commands

Ø  Pain – opens eyes or moves if experiencing pain (ie: pinched)

Ø  Unresponsive – doesn’t respond to any stimulus

If they are ‘groggy’ but showing signs of response, help them into a comfortable resting position and monitor their level of response.  (If they are unresponsive place the casualty into the recovery position).

Even if the casualty appears to recover, they should be monitored for any signs of deterioration.  If the concussion was caused by a sporting injury, do NOT allow the casualty to continue playing without professional medical advice.

Finally, if after a period of monitoring you see no signs of deterioration, advise the casualty to go to hospital if they later develop:

·         Headache

·         Nausea

·         Vomiting

·         Excessive sleepiness

Caution:

Casualties with head injuries may also have suffered a spinal injury at the neck.

Any head injury is potentially very serious.  If the casualty does not recover fully, or if their level of conscious starts to deteriorate after an initial recovery, call 999.

First Aid Accident Book Offer

For a limited time only - purchase one of our Data Protection Act compliant First Aid Accident Books and you will receive a disposable resuscitation face shield for FREE!

Order an Accident Book online now, and the face shield will be added to your order at dispatch. 

Don't miss out - order now by clicking here.

Top sector specialists confirmed to attend conference for volunteer managers

The second South East Regional Conference for Volunteer Managers, co-ordinated by Eastbourne-based McCrudden Training, and sponsored by vinvolved,  East Sussex, a volunteering charity, will have two top flight speakers  to provide advice and support to those involved in co-ordinating, leading or managing volunteers.

London-based Atiti Sosimi is an industry leader in personal development awareness training.  The Nigerian born business woman, author and entrepreneur’s life was changed by her own involvement in volunteering with Citizens Advice Bureau, and in 2008 she gave a lecture to a prestigious audience including HRH Princess Royal, Princess Anne about volunteering leading to employment.   As the chief executive  of the social enterprise organisation Distinctly Different, Atiti works with adults and young people from across all sectors, but with a particular interest in the way volunteer managers can develop their volunteers.  At the September conference, she’ll be working with sector workers to help support and motivate volunteers who are looking for paid work.

In contrast, Mick Owen will bring his experience of sport and leisure and the voluntary sector to the event.   Mick has been working in sport and leisure for over 25 years.   He currently combines his journalism role as managing editor and industry commentator for The Leisure Review with life as a rugby union, running sport and sports coach UK tutor.  Mick will be offering volunteer managers advice on working with the media and running a crucial session on safeguarding (formerly known as child protection). 

The one-day conference, taking place on 23 September at Wellshurst Golf and Country Club, near Hailsham, is shaping up to be a ‘not to be missed’ event for anyone in East Sussex who works with volunteers. 

“As well as fantastic networking opportunities the conference will offer a wide range of interactive workshops for delegates to choose from, rather than a series of keynote lectures.  We believe this format means those attending will get the most out of the day as they can get involved just in the topics that are relevant to them.   Securing the involvement of these talented and experienced sector professionals has been a great coup for us.   Without the backing of vinvolved East Sussex we wouldn’t be able to offer such a fantastic line up, and at such a great value delegate rate,” says conference organiser Nicky McCrudden.  

Mick Owen adds: "This kind of independent initiative is what defines the voluntary sector and should be supported.  I am very much looking forward to meeting and working with a range of people who, like me, are advocates for volunteers and volunteering.”

The conference is relevant to anyone who works alongside volunteers across East Sussex, whether in charity shops, community projects, befriending schemes or in sport and leisure groups.   To reserve a place at the early-bird booking rate of just £35 per person, that is available until 15 August, visit the conference booking pages of the McCrudden Traiing website. 

First Aid Newsletter June 2010

Condition of the month:  Hip Fractures

June is Osteoporosis Prevention and Awareness month for the National Osteoporosis Society.  Osteoporosis literally means 'porous bones' and is sometimes known as the 'fragile bone disease'.  One in two women and one in five men over the age of 50 in the UK will fracture a bone, many as a result of osteoporosis.  That's around 230,000 osteoporosis fractures every year!  Although older people are mainly affective, osteoporosis can affect younger people too.

Fractures to the hip and pelvis are very serious.  In the UK, approximatley 1,150 people die every month as a result of hip fractures. 

Signs and symptoms:

You may have seen, or the casualty may tell you about some kind of force applied to the bone - direct force such as falling onto the hip, or indirect force, like a knee impacting on the dashboard of a car in an accident and transmitting the force to the hip area.

The casualty may have lost movement around the joint, and this might mean that they are not able to stand or move their lges.  (They may not be able to move their legs despite no obvious injury to their legs.)  You may also see a shortening of one leg and the knee and foot rotated outwards.

The casualty may experience pain or tenderness in the hip, groin or lower back, which gets worse if they move.  They may also have the urge to pass water.

However, in the case of a stable fracture (where the two ends of the bone have not seperated) the casualty may be able to walk despite having a fractured neck of femur.

Giving First Aid:

The primary aim of the First Aider is to get medical help as soon as possible - call an ambulance.

Make sure the casualty is resting (if they are not lying down, help them to do so), and make them as comfortable as possible.  Provide support and try and immobilese the area and the legs by putting soft padding around them.  If the casualty is lying on their back, it may make them more comfortabel if their knees are slightly bent and supported with soft padding underneath.

If the casualty feels the need to pass water, try to discourage them from doing so as it may lead to infection.

Be Alert!  Fractured hips and pelvis can lead to significant blood loss.  First Aiders should be alert to the signs and symptoms of Shock (pale, cold and clammy skin, blueness, shivering, feeling faint, nausea, vomiting, feeling thirst and yawning).  If you suspect shock, it is essential that the casualty gets to hospital as soon as possible. 


Caution:

If you suspect the casualty is going into Shock, DO NOT raise their legs.  You can treat the shock by insulating them from the cold (without warming them).  Do not let them eat, drink or smoke.  Moisten their lips, stay with them and provide reassurance until help arrives.