woman carrying drinks on a tray

Save A Life September Have Your Team's Back, When It Really Counts

April 09, 2026 Cara Sherratt

If you'd do anything for them, do this.

Many of us would do anything – and we mean anything – for the people we care about. So, surely, we’d give up less than 30 minutes to make sure they’re protected? It’s a no-brainer!

This Save a Life September, St John Ambulance aims to teach 300,000 people how to treat choking, cardiac arrest and severe bleeding. We’re encouraging parents, grandparents, partners, siblings and colleagues to learn first aid, and make sure the people they care about are safe and protected.

For most people, the thought of being in an emergency situation where they might be responsible for saving someone’s life is terrifying. The responsibility would be overwhelming. The fear of failure – overpowering.

It’s not a situation people like to think about. In fact, they actively avoid thinking about it, choosing to believe that it won’t happen to them. And the chances are, it won’t.
But what those skills give people is the power to protect those they care about. These basic first aid skills will keep their loved ones safer.

Why This Matters: See The Stats Behind the Campaign

Research* shows that a third (32%) of the workforce surveyed have never had any first aid training and wouldn’t be able to support their colleagues in a crisis. Further, only 61% (Q9) feel confident they could actually administer first aid in a crisis, highlighting a gap between good intentions and practical ability.

In addition to this, there is also a requalification gap. According to the same research, 21% of participants say that they have skills that are more than 5 years old, and with the average qualified first aider last being trained three years ago, this means that there is a significant number with out-of-date qualifications.

79% of these employees agree they genuinely care about their colleagues, and the same proportion go out of their way to help their colleagues when they can – so if you do anything for them, do this. Get first aid trained this Save a Life September.

Get learning at a volunteer-led demo or online now. Visit sja.org.uk/save-a-life-september. These free sessions are a great place to start, but workplaces should not just book training to meet basic compliance needs. We’re urging you to encourage your workplaces to go the extra step and act now to protect as many people as possible with lifesaving training.

Reasons to sign your team up to workplace first aid training

  1. It saves lives. A trained employee can be the difference between life and death before emergency services arrive. (Every minute without CPR reduces survival by 10%)
  2. It shows your staff you care about them. Training staff builds a safer, more confident workplace, where everyone can feel protected.
  3. It protects loved ones as well as colleagues. Your staff will learn skills that help them protect the people they care about wherever they are.
  4. It boosts your reputation. Training staff positions your organisation as an advocate for health and wellbeing, boosting brand trust and attracting top talent.
  5. It fulfils your duty of care. Ensuring compliance with your legal obligations to protect employees, and showing leadership in workplace safety and welfare.

Why choose St John Ambulance workplace first aid training?

St John Ambulance wants to put the power of first aid into everybody’s hands. As a charity, our commercial operations help fund our life-saving work. We have over a century of experience in training people to save lives and a commitment to continual innovation. Because when a life is on the line, the best training can give people confidence and life-saving skills. We integrate the best practices from across the world to make sure our courses are among the most advanced and effective available. We are globally recognised and rated 4.9 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot. Our courses are also delivered by top-tier professionals with real-life emergency experience.

Put simply - when your team learns with us, they are learning from the best.

St John Ambulance maintains the highest training standards and is unique in being authorised by the Health and Safety Executive as a self-certifying body. That means we are trusted to a level that requires no external validation.

We offer a flexible and holistic approach, meaning you and your team can learn the skills you need in the way that’s right for you.

In addition to our in-person first aid courses, which provide essential life-saving training in a real-world group setting, we’ve also been working on new ways to help get more people qualified. We’re dedicated to improving our services to meet the varying needs of our customers. We’ve expanded our learning options to include blended learning courses that can allow you to get certified in a more flexible and convenient way. Explore our in-person courses, and browse the range of blended training we have available to book today.

And our commitment to you doesn’t end when the training course does. You’ll also get continuous access to our online resources and refresher materials – meaning you can ensure your first aid skills are always sharp and effective.

* The research was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 2002 UK Employees (16+). The data was collected between 11.07.2025 - 17.07.2025. Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct and ESOMAR principles. Censuswide is also a member of the British Polling Council.

Comments

Other Articles

How To Stay Safe in a Heatwave: Hydration Tips and First Aid Advice
How To Stay Safe in a Heatwave: Hydration Tips and First Aid Advice
Shivani Chumber

How To Stay Safe in a Heatwave: Hydration Tips and First Aid Advice

The UK has been placed under a red extreme heat warning this week, with temperatures expected to rise to 40 degrees in some areas, and many regions in England and Wales are experiencing temperatures within the 30s. With extreme heat during the day and then very warm nights, it will make it harder for our bodies to recover and cool down. And when temperatures reach this level, the risk of dehydration and heat exhaustion increases. Hot weather can affect anyone, even pets, but it can quickly become serious if we don’t take the right steps to stay cool and hydrated. By taking a few simple actions, you can protect yourself and look out for others during this heatwave.

Read more
Understanding Cold Water Shock: Staying Safe Around Open Water this Summer
Understanding Cold Water Shock: Staying Safe Around Open Water this Summer
Nicole Monk

Understanding Cold Water Shock: Staying Safe Around Open Water this Summer

As temperatures rise during the summer months, many people head to beaches, rivers, lakes and reservoirs to cool down. However, while the weather may feel warm, the water itself can remain dangerously cold. As a first aider, here are some of the things to be aware of if you’re around water this summer and how to help if someone gets into difficulty.

Read more
3 Lifesaving Places to Install a Defibrillator and How to Keep It Rescue-Ready
3 Lifesaving Places to Install a Defibrillator and How to Keep It Rescue-Ready
Nicole Vaughton

3 Lifesaving Places to Install a Defibrillator and How to Keep It Rescue-Ready

Every year in the UK, over 40,000 people experience an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. When someone’s heart suddenly stops beating, every second counts. In those critical moments, having the right equipment in the right place can be the difference between life or death. But a defibrillator can only save a life if it’s working, accessible and ready to use.

Read more
Men's Health Week 2026
Men's Health Week 2026
Shivani Chumber

Men's Health Week 2026

When it comes to health, men are more likely to ignore the signs of ill health and carry on as normal. Whether it’s pushing through the pain, ignoring symptoms and hoping they go away or not putting themselves first. But being proactive and focusing on preventing signs and symptoms from worsening means a healthy mind and body. Because looking after your health isn’t a weakness, it’s one of the most important things you can do for yourself and for your loved ones.

Read more