Stella Dennis, 10, from Starbeck Badgers and Badger of the Year for North Yorkshire and Teesside (NYT), is keen to encourage other young people to learn skills that could one day help save a life.
The Idea
Stella approached her teacher, Kate Matthews, at St John’s Primary School in Knaresborough about giving her classmates the opportunity to take part in Save a Life September (SALS). Although permission was not received quite in time for September, Stella was determined to make it happen.
The Session
On Tuesday 6th October, Stella joined Helen Rogers, a St John Ambulance youth leader, to deliver a special session to 30 Year 6 pupils in Class 9.
Taking over the school’s main hall, Stella and Helen taught the children important first aid skills, including SALS and the recovery position.
Stella explained DRABC (Danger Response Airway Breathing Circulation) and what to do before placing an unconscious casualty into the recovery position. She also demonstrated what to do if a baby is choking and went around the class helping pupils make sure they had their hands in the correct position for CPR.
What They Said
Helen said:
The children were very enthusiastic learners and a joy to teach. Stella believes everyone should learn first aid because you never know when you might need it and be able to help someone.
Stella is doing really well. Sometimes her self-confidence can hold her back, so it was wonderful to see her sharing her first aid knowledge with her classmates. I hope the experience has given her another boost in the right direction.
Kate Matthews thanked Stella and Helen for the session, saying:
Thank you again for coming in and showing the class such valuable first aid as part of the Save a Life September awareness programme. It was excellent, and the children said afterwards how much they had enjoyed it.
The morning gave pupils the opportunity to learn practical skills that could help them respond confidently if somebody became ill or injured, while also giving Stella the chance to share the first aid knowledge she has developed through St John Ambulance Badgers.
