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

It's definitely great to keeping learning through life no matter how old you are. This is something I have come to appreciate more as the years go on. There are lots of things I'd love to learn at a number of scales. My ambition is to change careers and become a midwife - something I'm already trying to get a head start on before studying commences in a few years time. I'm trying to read a book I've bought on biology to get my mind in the right place and gain a good level of understanding to put me in a good position before I start applying - I didn't get any GCSEs in biology or A-levels so really am started from the beginning! It's a while off in life yet, but it should keep me interested and with our first baby on the way it won't be something I'll be able to give a lot of time to for a while to come!

On a smaller scale I'd love to learn how to use a sewing machine so I can do some nice homemade crafts for the house! I think I'd get a great sense of fulfilment knowing I'd produced something. It could save money too and be nice to get to a point where I can make things for other people too as gifts! Also, how handy will it be when the kids start needing costumes making for school and other school projects?!

At the top of my list though is first aid for babies - so important I think - it could save your child's life. I'm already paranoid ahead of having our baby about the things that could go wrong and it would awful if I couldn't avoid or rectify a situation simply because I hadn't equipped myself with the right knowledge and skills!

I've seen NCN run courses locally which I think I'll look into but not really given it too much thought just yet as still a bit of time before I'm due. But will definitely check out some of the resources from British Red Cross!

I am about to do first aid at work training. I've wanted to do it for ages and am really looking forward to it.

The app is great - I went on a first aid for children course a while ago but I worry about being calm enough to remember it in an emergency. It should definitely be part of antenatal courses or via the health visitor.

It was my new year resolution to learn something new and I've chosen to learn Arabic. Very difficult but the perfect language for a left hander!

I am going to download the app as I have already had a couple of visits to A&E with my granddaughter who seems to be accident-prone.

I have just invested in a juicer and a blender so I will have a much healthier regime as I suffer from fibromyalgia and M.E. I hope to be more active so I can spend more time doing activities with all my grandchildren.

As Im a dinner lady in a Nursery, I think im going to do a first aid course this year, even if I have to sort it/pay for it myself.

I would love to learn a new skill, but sometimes finding the time between work and kids can be difficult and some of the courses can be expensive. I did a sewing course on a Saturday nearly a year ago and all I've made since is 4 cushion covers - and that was last week.

Will probably start a HSE diploma so can avoid some accidents in the first place

I'm a school nurse but still like to get a refresher course on first aid each year as it's so important

I have just done my first aid course last week, a refresher as I work in health and social care. Every time I do the course I get nervous at the thought of what if I actually have to use it in a real life situation but I am glad I have the knowledge.I think learning a new skill,no matter what it is, is generally great for anyone.
I checked out The British red Cross App and I must say it looks good. :-)

to learn how to use smart devices and hopefully get one.

I've got the app and always feel it's comforting to know it's there to look at if I may need it. I am very squeemish so I couldn't go and do a course but learning from the app is really good for people like me!

I really would love to start a degree in social work next year so I will be preparing myself with as much relevant experience as possible! I'm hoping my boys will be old enough to cope with me doing a lot of extra work by then. They will be 7 and 9 xx

I think learning new things keeps us young at heart and mind! Im going to learn how to crochet and knit this year! I'am a newborn photographer and would love to learn how to create some of my own props and blankets!

I am hoping to do a first aid course as I need it for my volunteer work as a leader of Poole Young Archaeologist Club

Computer programming and brush up on my first aid skills of course!

I really should brush up on my first aid skills. I did some home study when my DD was born but she is now 16 months old and I could probably do with a refresher to make sure I know what I'm doing.

Its always handy to have an app to learn from , though sometimes I do wonder if people subconsciously think I have the app I can always check if it happens , losing precious time. Particularly with first aid nothing beats hands on experience.
As for learning / training , really envy my mum with access to University of the Third Age . The courses seem really interesting and flexible , which is just what I need today .

As a registered child minder I have done a first aid course and have to attend a top up two day course once every two years (which I've only just done on of). While I'm aware that this doesn't make me an expert I'd like to know what risks are and arn't covered by what I've already been taught so that I can make an informed descision about what more I may need to learn.

We are always learning new skills, computers really help with that because you can look everything up and there are so many useful tutorials online, so whether it's a manual or academic skill you can have a go at it. I'm planning to learn to cut my husband's hair for him.

great idea :)

I think having an app like the red cross first aid app is very important for a parent

I have a current first aid certificate that I did through Red Cross already, but I'd like to mention that there isn't a lot available for young children who are interested in learning first aid. My 6 and 8 year olds have both expressed a wish to learn a few basics and certainly in our area there is nothing.

I am hoping to go back to my previous work this year and will need to go on lots of refresher courses for that so doubt I'll have much chance for anything else.

I trained as a first aider through my workplace over 20 years ago and did the refresher training for 5 years. For various reasons I've not updated my certificate for many years but this feature has reminded me how important it is to know at least basic first aid, especially if have children, and I will be using the app the remind myself as well as encouraging others to do the same.

I would like to do a first aid course

I am a first aider at my work.. I love helping people. I think it is important to know what to do in a medical crisis.