Mini First Aid Birmingham

10/09/2026

WORLD SU***DE PREVENTION DAY

“Suicide is not inevitable. You can interrupt someone’s suicidal thoughts. You could save a life.” — Samaritans

On a day when conversations around su***de prevention and mental health are particularly important, Lorraine has completed Day One of her Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) course, hosted by Noah's Star and Together Minds.

Today’s learning provided an opportunity to reflect on the importance of recognising the signs that someone may be experiencing a mental health challenge, knowing how to approach a difficult conversation, and understanding when and where to seek further support.

A key part of the MHFA training is the ALGEE Action Plan — a five-step framework designed to help us respond appropriately when someone may be experiencing a mental health challenge.

A — Approach, assess for risk of su***de or harm.
Choose a private and safe time to talk. If you are concerned that someone may be at risk, ask direct and compassionate questions about whether they are thinking about su***de or harming themselves.

L — Listen non-judgementally.
Give the person space to speak without interruption. Show empathy, remain calm, and acknowledge their feelings without judgement, even when their experience or perspective may be different from your own.

G — Give reassurance and information.
Offer genuine support, hope and appropriate information. Remind them that help is available and that they do not have to face things alone.

E — Encourage appropriate professional help.
Support the person in accessing appropriate professional support, such as a GP, counsellor or mental health specialist. Seeking help early can make an important difference.

E — Encourage self-help and other support strategies.
Help them identify trusted family members, friends, community groups or other sources of support. Encourage manageable steps towards maintaining a supportive daily routine and looking after their wellbeing.

What to remember:

Stay calm. Your role is to listen, support and guide — not to diagnose or fix the situation.
In a crisis: If someone is in immediate danger, behaving dangerously or threatening to harm themselves, seek emergency help immediately.

If you think someone may be suicidal, take action. Start the conversation. Listen. Show them that you care. 💚

Today, Lorraine also captured an image of algae — an unexpected but memorable reminder of the ALGEE Action Plan and the importance of remembering these five steps when they may matter most.

09/09/2026

Yes....they jumped on the ’80s trend! 😂

Curiosity got the better of them!

Lorraine and Kate went full retro, and frankly, we’re wondering why we ever left the shell suits behind! 💚🕺💃🌟

Whistles coming to a class near you soon! 🤣

08/09/2026

Did you know there are 14 regulated food allergens in the UK and EU?

Food law identifies 14 allergens that are among the foods most commonly linked to allergic reactions. By law, these allergens must be clearly declared on food packaging and communicated for food sold loose or without pre-packaging.

But there’s something important to remember: any food can cause an allergic reaction. Every allergy should be taken seriously.

What is a food allergy?

A food allergy occurs when the body’s immune system reacts abnormally to a specific food. Reactions can range from mild to very serious.
In the most severe cases, an allergic reaction can cause anaphylaxis — a potentially life-threatening emergency.

🚨 If you think someone is experiencing anaphylaxis, call 999 immediately, ask for an ambulance, and tell the operator they are experiencing anaphylaxis.

We’re proud to work with Allergy UK to bring essential allergy and anaphylaxis guidance into our 2-hour Parent & Carer class. The session helps parents and carers build the confidence to recognise an allergic reaction early and know what to do quickly when it matters most.

Knowing what to look for, and how to respond, could make all the difference. 💚

07/09/2026

We’re called Mini First Aid — but don’t let the name fool you…

We’re not just about first aid for little ones.

From parents, grandparents and carers learning essential baby & child first aid, through to fun and engaging sessions at school and a full range of workplace first aid training, we teach people of all ages and backgrounds the skills that can make a real difference when it matters most.

👶 Baby & child first aid for parents, carers & grandparents
🏫 Schools & nurseries
🏢 Workplace first aid courses
⛑️ First aid training for organisations and teams

Because first aid isn’t just for children. And neither are we.

05/09/2026

Look what's happening in Wolverhampton 💐

There are some familiar faces here 👀💚

02/09/2026

Proud of our colleagues Sam and Jen, who yesterday, delivered our Benedict’s Law compliant Allergy and Anaphylaxis Awareness Training for schools. 💚

A fantastic opportunity for them to share their expertise and support schools in creating safer environments for children and young people.

Great work, both! 👏

Sam and Jen were excited to get out for a school inset day today and the launch of our Benedict's Law compliant allergy and anaphylaxis awareness training for schools 💚
Its not often that Sam and Jen get to train together so this was a lovely opportunity.

02/09/2026

This one change could save a child's life.

This September marks the introduction of Benedict's Law, bringing new statutory allergy guidance into schools across England. For families of children with allergies, it's a really important step forward.

Schools are now expected to have:

✔ A dedicated allergy policy
✔ Annual allergy awareness training for staff
✔ Spare adrenaline auto-injectors (AAIs)
✔ Up-to-date healthcare plans for pupils with serious allergies

While no parent ever wants to imagine their child experiencing an allergic reaction at school, knowing there are clear procedures and trained staff in place can offer real reassurance.

If your child has a serious allergy, now is a great time to check that their healthcare plan is up to date and that school has current emergency medication and contact details.

At Mini First Aid, we're proud to support schools with our new CPD-accredited Allergy & Anaphylaxis Awareness for Schools course, helping staff build the practical knowledge and confidence they need to respond when every second counts. Training is happening in schools across our UK network.

Have you spoken to your child's school about how they're preparing for Benedict's Law?

Contact us today to find out more 👇
[email protected]

31/08/2026

Back to school for many little ones this week! 🎒💚

If your child is feeling nervous, worried, sad or missing you, why not try a Hug Button? ❤️

Simply draw a heart on both your wrist and your child’s (there’s always so much handwashing!), then “charge” them up by touching your hearts together.

Tell them that if they feel sad or miss you at school, they can press their Hug Button and it will send you a hug. And you can send one back by touching the heart on your own wrist! 🥰

We’ve tried and tested the Hug Button a few times now and can confirm… it really does work! 😍

30/08/2026

🚑 FIRST AID MATTERS 💚

The day before Kate’s family holiday, her son Roman lost his footing whilst out walking with friends and rolled…and rolled a bit more…straight into a rock. 😬

The results?
🩹 A puncture wound to the head
🩹 Extensive cuts, grazes and bruising
🩹 Grit firmly stuck in his knee
🩹 Cold, clammy and sleepy

Thankfully, knowing basic first aid meant Kate knew what to do initially: sit him down, assess his injuries, apply pressure, clean and cover the wounds.

But sometimes first aid is about knowing when you need extra help too. The wound on Roman’s head needed closing, the grit in his knee needed professional removal, and because he just wasn’t himself, there were concerns about possible concussion.

So, A&E it was. 🏥 Definitely not part of the holiday prep list… but absolutely necessary. All smiles from Roman shortly after, just in time for his holiday. 😀

First Aid doesn't mean you have all the answers. It helps you stay calm, take those important first steps and recognise when something needs more attention.

Accidents don’t wait until it’s convenient. They happen at home, in the garden, at the park, on holiday… and sometimes halfway through a walk with friends. 💚

👉 Every parent & carer should know basic first aid.

29/08/2026

KEEP YOUR CHILDREN VISIBLE

Ah, the last-minute weekend dash for a school coat 😂 And yes, we’re all buying it two sizes too big so it lasts until 2030.

Before you hit “checkout” - think BRIGHT. 🟡🟠

In darker months, bright coats help children stand out to drivers, especially in low light. Our image shows the difference between a child in a dark coat and one in a bright coat.

Older kids not keen on neon? Try reflective strips on bags, clip-on lights or reflective patches on shoes and jackets.

Bright = seen = safer. 💚