First Aid Training for Charities & Voluntary Organisations

Affordable, flexible first aid training for charities, voluntary organisations and community groups across Berkshire, Surrey and Hampshire. We understand the unique needs and budget constraints of the voluntary sector.

First Aid Obligations for Charities & Voluntary Organisations

Many charities and voluntary organisations assume that health and safety law only applies to commercial employers — but that isn't the case. Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, any organisation where people work, whether paid or unpaid, has a duty of care. The Health & Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 require employers — including charities — to provide adequate first aid arrangements for their workforce.

While the regulations technically reference "employees", the HSE is clear that voluntary organisations should apply the same standards to their volunteers. This is especially important when your volunteers are working with vulnerable people, running community events, or operating in environments where accidents are more likely. A first aid incident at a charity event, outreach session or volunteer project could have serious consequences for the individuals involved and for the reputation of your organisation.

Beyond legal compliance, having trained first aiders within your volunteer team simply makes good sense. It protects the people you serve, your volunteers, and the communities you work in. It also demonstrates to funders, trustees and the public that your organisation takes duty of care seriously.

Who We Work With in the Voluntary Sector

We work with a wide range of charitable and voluntary organisations across Berkshire, Surrey and Hampshire, including:

  • Community support organisations and outreach charities working with vulnerable adults
  • Youth organisations, uniformed groups and after-school clubs
  • Food banks, day centres and community hubs
  • Hospices and voluntary care sector organisations
  • Sports clubs and recreational volunteer groups
  • Religious organisations and faith groups running community programmes
  • Environmental and conservation volunteer programmes

Recommended Courses for the Voluntary Sector

Emergency First Aid at Work

A 1-day qualification that equips volunteers with the core first aid skills to respond to emergencies. Ideal for lower-risk settings and smaller voluntary organisations looking for cost-effective training.

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Paediatric First Aid

Essential for charities working with children and young people. Covers child-specific emergencies including choking, seizures, anaphylaxis and managing an unresponsive child.

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Mental Health First Aid

Many charities work with people experiencing mental health difficulties. MHFA training equips your volunteers to recognise signs of mental health crises and provide appropriate initial support and signposting.

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CPR & AED Training

Half-day session ensuring your volunteers can respond to a cardiac arrest. Particularly relevant for organisations running community events or working with older or vulnerable adults.

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Why Choose Forest Medical Training?

  • Competitive pricing for voluntary organisations — we understand the financial constraints of the charity sector and tailor our pricing accordingly
  • Flexible scheduling including evenings and weekends — designed to fit around volunteer availability, not a 9-to-5 working week
  • We come to you — training delivered at your premises, community centre or meeting space, removing the need for volunteers to travel
  • Experience working with diverse groups — Paul Chandler has trained people from all backgrounds, adapting his approach to ensure everyone can learn effectively

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, charities and voluntary organisations have the same legal duty of care as commercial employers. Any organisation where people work or volunteer must carry out a first aid needs assessment and provide adequate first aid arrangements. This applies to charities of all sizes, from small community groups to large national organisations.
The Health & Safety (First Aid) Regulations technically apply to employees, but the HSE strongly recommends that voluntary organisations apply the same first aid standards to their volunteers. If your volunteers work in settings where an incident could occur — whether that's a community event, a drop-in session, or outreach work — you should ensure adequate first aid cover is in place. Doing so also protects your organisation from liability.
Yes. We recognise that charities and voluntary organisations operate with limited budgets, and we offer competitive rates for the sector. We're also happy to discuss the most cost-effective training approach for your organisation — for example, combining different courses into a single session, or prioritising which staff and volunteers should be trained first. Contact us and we'll provide a tailored, transparent quote.

Train Your Volunteers Today

Affordable, flexible first aid training for charities and voluntary organisations across Berkshire, Surrey and Hampshire. We work around your budget and your volunteers' schedules.