Five hundred and eighty pupils and 50 school staff have been equipped with vital life-saving skills following a two-day “Stop the Bleed” training programme delivered across six local schools.
The initiative, supported by Lichfield District Council, took place over two days, national Stop The Bleed Day on Wednesday 29 April and Thursday 30 April, reaching students and adults at Queen’s Croft High School, Lichfield, The Rawlett School, Tamworth, King Edward VI School Lichfield, Longdon Hall School, Maple Hayes Hall and The Bridge Academy in Lichfield.
The training, given by the council’s Community Safety Team, colleagues from partner agencies and charity citizenAID, focused on teaching participants how to respond effectively to serious bleeding emergencies, including the use of pressure, dressings, torniquets and trauma kits.
The programme forms part of the council’s wider commitment to community safety and resilience, ensuring that young people and staff are better prepared to act confidently in emergency situations before professional help arrives.
Bella, a Year 7 pupil at The Rawlett School said:
“I think the training was really useful. I have learned that if someone gets injured, I could put pressure on the wound and stop the bleeding and maybe save their life.
“I would like to be a paramedic when I am older.”
Tyler, a Year 9 pupil at Queen’s Croft High School, said:
“The training has been very good. It is reliable and could help me save someone in a life-threatening emergency.
“I am glad I have had the training. It has given me perspective and knowledge of how the professionals treat serious bleeds.”
Councillor Richard Cox, Lichfield District Council’s Cabinet Member for Community and Public Protection, praised the initiative, highlighting its impact:
“This training is an invaluable investment in the safety of our community. By equipping 580 young people and 50 adults with these essential skills, we are empowering them to potentially save lives.
“It’s inspiring to see our schools embracing such practical and meaningful education, and I’d like to thank everyone involved in delivering this important programme.”
The council worked in partnership with schools and training providers to ensure sessions were engaging, age-appropriate, and hands-on. Participants were given the opportunity to practice techniques and build confidence in responding to real-life scenarios.
With positive feedback from both students and staff, the council will continue to deliver the programme, ensuring even more residents can benefit from this critical training.