The 8th First Aid Summer School took place in the Rivne region
The Ukrainian Red Cross 8th First Aid Summer School brought together 107 first aid instructors and trainers from across Ukraine.
Over five days, participants strengthened their first aid teaching skills, worked on adapting international standards to today’s challenges, developed new approaches to training and learning, and strengthened the professional community.
Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, nearly 500,000 people have completed Ukrainian Red Cross first aid training. This figure reflects not only the scale of our work, but also demonstrates that, despite the challenges of war, we are not stopping. On the contrary, we are coming together, strengthening our capacity and expanding access to first aid training.
Particular attention during the 8th First Aid Summer School was given to the presentation of a programme designed to teach children first aid. The ‘Henry – First Aid Training for Children’ programme helps build a culture of safety from an early age, teaching children to recognise danger, make decisions and act responsibly.
Participants also identified key priorities for the further development of first aid:
- international five-year re-accreditation of the first aid programme;
- integrating first aid training into support programmes for veterans and communities affected by the war;
- scaling up the Henry programme through state accreditation;
- developing digital formats and blended online and face-to-face learning;
- training volunteer fire brigades;
- identifying and training community leaders who can pass on first aid knowledge to others.
“First aid is moving from standards to context. We maintain international standards, but adapt our training to real-life conditions, available resources and risks,” says Nadiia Yamnenko, Master Trainer and Head of the Ukrainian Red Cross First Aid Department.
Hosting the First Aid Summer School also provides an opportunity to strengthen first aid activities in the region where it takes place. This year, in the Rivne region, instructors and trainers from across Ukraine delivered six-hour first aid training sessions to around 400 people, including representatives of the National Police of Ukraine.
The 8th First Aid Summer School is about more than training. It is a space for professional development, new ideas and strengthening a community that helps build a culture of safety across Ukraine every day.
