Chance to win £250! New year, new skill? How about first aid? Share your thoughts with the British Red Cross NOW CLOSED

[AnnMumsnet]

We have been asked by the British Red Cross to find out - in general - what new skills you're planning to learn or find out about in 2015?

They say "the new year is a time for thinking about learning something new in the year ahead. British Red Cross would like all mumsnetters to equip themselves with a new life skill in 2015 by learning first aid for baby and child - on a course, online or by downloading the free Baby and Child First Aid app".

So, what new skills are you planning to try and learn this year? If it's first aid, how will you learn this? How do you feel about learning new skills these days? What about your partner? How do you find the time to learn new things as you get older? Do you think it's important to do this?

If you're keen on finding out about learning some first aid skills - do check out the resources from the British Red Cross:

Courses info
Online materials
Free App

And let us know on this thread what you think.

Share your thoughts on learning new skills generally and any feedback on the British Red Cross first aid for baby and child info on this thread and you'll be entered into a prize draw where one lucky MNer will win a £250 John Lewis voucher.

Please add your comment by 26 January 2015. Standard Insight T&Cs apply

Thanks and good luck
MNHQ

[WowOoo]

I will be doing a First Aid course in march. A refresher.

I've tried the app and it's fantastic. Very clear and also has a quiz so that you know how well you've done. Not as good as a real course with real specialists you can ask questions to but still very informative.

I haven't decided if I'm going to learn any other new skills yet. I'd love to do some evening classes - pottery or exercise.

[BathshebaDarkstone]

Yet another app that isn't available on Windows.

[cookiefiend]

Just downloading the app. Good idea. It has been years since I did any first aid and I must look into child centred courses. So important.

I am impressed at a free app- so there is no excuse not to look.

Less importantly I would like to learn how to take better pictures.

[timeforacheckup]

Have just downloaded the app, it looks really good and will be reassured knowing it's on my phone.
I have done regular first aid courses throughout my life and a specific baby one earlier this year. I just wish the compressions to breath ratio would stop changing!
With regards to new skills, I think it's important to never stop learning. I got a sewing machine for christmas so that will be my new skill this year (along with cheese appreciation but that's another thread!!)

[Swex]

I think it is vital that as many people as possible are trained in it's aid for children.

[caramal]

I have always thought that first aid is such an invaluable skill to have, you never know if or when you may need to help someone. My husband is one of the main first aiders for his work and I have had extensive first aid training through my type of work. I have had to help a stranger recently and I was glad I knew what to do.
The app and information is brill, clear and easy to follow, I hope more people learn first aid
I dread there ever being a situation where I would have to use it for my child, but I feel confident I would know what to do.

As for learning new skills, I'm currently training to be a manager in my employment, so I'll hopefully have a bucket load of new skills by the end of the year -and a pay rise!

[glenthebattleostrich]

I'm a childminder and obviously need to have first aid training. It is easily the best skill I have. I've not had to use it in my setting but have at the playground a couple of times on weekends. I think that a basic first aid course should be included in antenatal courses, it is something every parent should have.

This year I will be looking into more health and healthy eating training.

[thewomaninwhite]

I will download in a minute as it is something that I feel that I need to know more about. I don't feel confident. I was in the docs the other day and watched the screen show how to put someone in the recovery position twice. I found that really helpful as it was quick but made it clearer in my fuzzy memory. I need regular reminding I think so the app will be fab,=.

[mjmooseface]

The British Red Cross First Aid App is brilliant! Not the best in an emergency as it is probably best to get on the phone to the emergency services rather than trying to locate your phone, find the app and type in your problem... But the app has so much information and is really useful.

I am hoping to do a refresher first aid course sometime this year via the children's centre.

I am ALWAYS wanting to learn new skills! I hope I continue to always want to learn new skills as I get older and pass them on to other people, or my kids! I am hopefully starting a teaching assistant course in September. I've just started volunteering at a library. I am teaching myself spanish too!

[blondieminx]

That Red Cross app is great. I've been a First Aider at Work for over 10yrs.

I wholeheartedly recommend the Red Cross First Aid for babies course, I did it at 38wks pregnant and the knowledge I picked up saved my refluxy DD from choking on her own vomit countless times.

New skills for 2015? Well, I'd like to learn some whizzy cheffy knife skills (and hopefully not need to bandage myself after!!!)

[Sorehead]

I had my first baby at the end of 2014 and have been meaning to brush up on my first aid skills. Having been somewhat distracted over the festive period, this has been a good reminder to book a course; I'd never forgive myself if (god forbid) anything were to happen to my son and I was unable to correctly administer first aid.

I've downloaded and read the information on the app, but there's no substitute for practical learning.

[Theimpossiblegirl]

What a great idea. The app looks really useful and it's nice having it so handy.

It's always good to learn new skills and I believe everyone who works with children should be a qualified First Aider.

[sharond101]

I was impressed to see a venue which I could actually attend, Glasgow, as so often "British" means England. I would love to do this sort of thing and am now considering signing up for the course. It is well priced and I trust the materials they would provide me with. The app looks very useful too. My HUsband and I are going to look at it together.

[diamondsrock]

I've had the app for a while. I always fret when I read about accidents and wonder what I might do in that situation.

I took a first aid course when I had my first dc and I think all parents should do it. It helped put my mind at rest as I was sole carer for much of the time and it was such a huge responsibility. I had a refresher last year which was provided free by our council.

[del2929]

hopefully learn to drive this year. btw, great app!!

[Itchylegs]

I want to be clear about how to act when a choking situation is going on - which ones are serious, which just need a quick tap on the back. Will studdy the materials further.

I have tried the app - it is very good and my DD - 9 - loves it too.

[flamingtoaster]

The online materials are fantastic - the videos are very well done. The instructions given are crystal clear and no-one could be in any doubt as to what to do in these scary situations.

This year I want to learn how to fix more problems on the computer so I don't have to call on my DS.

[wobblywindows]

Great app - I am recommending it to my daughters: one has a young boy (why are boys so much more active?) and the other daughter is a carer. I will be taking another look at cpr this year (just in case) and I aim to learn at least one new skill each year. Last year was making cards & dolls house furniture, & steering a boat. I'm not sure what this year will be, yet!

[rachaelsit]

I am lucky enough to do first aid course through work but I al conscious I haven't done it for 2 years and have lost confidence in what I would do. The app and online material look great and perfect for refreshing me. I've since had a baby so I often think of 'what ifs' where he is concerned.

On learning new skills - I like to learn new skills by teaching myself as that is the only way, outside of work, I could find the time at the minute. I have nothing in mind for the near future other than concentrating on being a full time working mother which is a skill in itself.
I am always keen on unproving my skills with baking, as that is a great hobby. If we move house this year which we are hoping to, maybe my DIY skills will be put to the test?!

[katsnmouse]

This is something i would love to do, but it seems deepest darkest wales isn't included in places that either the red cross or st John's ambulance run parent courses.

I love learning new skills, usually teaching myself as it is hard to find the time to fit in courses around work/family. Online learning is great, and I have just finished an OU course on writing fiction. Next on the list of new skills will be perfecting my photography!

[KnackeredMerrily]

I tried the app last year, it was very weighty.

My partner has been trying to do some further education and we have found it very difficult to make the time for it. Because it is always optional it is always the last option - and there always seems something more important to do. He's actually booked time off work so we can treat it as a work day and let him get some revision done ahead of his exam.

[Scatlett4456]

It's a good app, I liked it.
I'm also a trained first wider from work, the more first aid people know the better, it really can save lives.

[Mummageddon]

I did the NCT baby and child first aid course when I was expecting my first. I've also got a printout of what to do in case of choking. I've had to use the skills once with a very minor choking incident. Every parent should do a first aid course.

On a lighter note I decided in 2015 to learn where all the countries of the world are (was shocked at how crap I was after a thread on here!). So that's my aim this year.

[Cherryjellybean]

I have the app on my phone, and your courses are really good, I have been on one before :)
I love learning new things. I wish I could do more but having young children and little money makes it difficult. In the next year or so I'd like to do a fitness instructor course. That would mean doing my first aid again :)
My dh gets to do lots of training with his job, first aid, life guarding, mini bus driving.... The list is very long. He is very lucky.

[OopNorth]

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