SECAmb clinicians teach first aid and life-saving skills at HMP High Down

A group of South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) clinicians have delivered a first aid and life-saving training course to prisoners at HMP High Down in Sutton, Surrey.

The course, which formed part of an in-house management training programme at SECAmb, was delivered to prisoners involved in The Clink Restaurant program at High Down.

The Clink Charity’s aim is to reduce reoffending through training and rehabilitation of prisoners. Amongst other projects its work includes the restaurant, which is open to the public and staffed by prisoners. The prisoners work towards City & Guilds NVQs in Hospitality & Catering and Customer Service and ultimately employment in the UK hospitality industry, upon release.

The prison course, which focused on a number of areas including the management of burns and wounds as well as CPR, choking and the recovery position, was designed by SECAmb staff currently undertaking the Trust’s Accelerate management course.

SECAmb paramedic Kirsty Pullen is taking the course. She said: “The first aid training was received really well and all the prisoners were really engaged. I know I and all my colleagues found it a very positive thing to be a part of and we hope that all the prisoners find the skills they learned useful for their work now at The Clink and going forward in their rehabilitation and release.”

Chris Moore, chief executive of The Clink Charity added: “The prisoners in training really enjoyed the course and are now able to apply what they have learnt to their work in the restaurant but also in life once they are released. Providing training workshops like this that are outside of the City & Guilds NVQ syllabus ensures that the trainees all receive a complete and well-rounded education whilst on the scheme. It also gives them another skill to add to their CV which ultimately helps when securing employment after they have served their sentence.”