JPF First Aid

In this episode of the JPF First Aid Podcast, host John Fogerty is joined by hypnotist Steve Woods to explore what hypnosis really is and what it isn’t. Steve explains how hypnosis works with the subconscious mind to change automatic thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, helping people with issues such as anxiety, phobias, sleep problems, performance blocks, addictions, and exam nerves. They discuss who hypnosis is suitable for, how a typical session works (including online), and why genuine change only happens when someone truly wants it. Steve also shares real-life examples, including helping people overcome a fear of blood, regain their enjoyment of golf, and manage pressure around exams and driving tests.Key TakeawaysWhat Hypnosis Is (and Isn’t)Hypnosis is about changing the way the mind responds – helping you think, feel, and act differently at an automatic level.It works by accessing the subconscious “protection” part of the mind, which decides whether situations feel safe or not.You remain within your own morals and boundaries – you can’t be forced to do something you don’t truly want to do.Who Hypnosis Can HelpSteve believes everyone can be hypnotised if they want change and are willing to follow instructions (they don’t have to “believe” in it).It can help with anxiety, fears and phobias (including blood and needles), sleep issues, weight management, performance (e.g. sport, business, public speaking), addictions, and exam or driving-test nerves.Hypnosis is generally suitable for most people, with the main exception being those with split personality disorders due to safety and unpredictability.Mindset, Anxiety and HabitsAnxiety often arises from the mind trying to protect us, treating embarrassment or humiliation as if it were life-threatening.Hypnosis can break the cycle of being anxious about feeling anxious by retraining the mind’s automatic response.With addictions or unhelpful habits (smoking, gambling, drinking), real change happens when the person themselves recognises the problem and is ready to change – not just because others want them to.Key Moments“Hypnosis, to me, is a change of mind – getting the mind to think differently, act differently, and respond differently, especially in that automatic part of the mind.”“With anxiety, we get anxious about being anxious. The protection part of the mind is asking, ‘Is this safe?’ and often reacts as if embarrassment were something that’s going to eat us.”“The biggest benefit is that people stop feeling like they’re trying. They just feel naturally motivated to do things differently.”“You’ve got to want the change. I can’t make your partner or your child stop smoking or gambling – they have to want it for themselves.”“In hypnosis, we create new memories of how you want things to be, so when your mind checks, it finds a calm, successful experience instead of the old fear.”About the HostJohn Fogarty has a training background dating back to 2005, with achievements including a teaching qualification and assessor standard. He has previously worked with two first aid charities, delivering sessions in workplace and educational environments.John has consistently received excellent feedback for his delivery and customer service, as evident in numerous reviews. He ensures learners enjoy and achieve their goals, and works with customers to select the right courses and resolves any issues promptly.Find out more at: https://jpffirstaid.co.uk/

In this episode of the JPF First Aid Podcast, host and founder John Fogarty focuses on Men’s Mental Health Month and why high standards in mental-health first-aid training matter all year round. He stresses that while November spotlights men, the message applies to everyone. John also unpacks what stress is doing inside the body, how it shows up emotionally, physically and behaviourally, and the practical steps we can all take to cope better.Key TakeawaysFitness to support is essential, not assumed: Not everyone is suited to provide mental-health support. Reliability, empathy, emotional maturity, active listening, respect and being fully present are non-negotiables, especially when someone finally opens up. Safeguarding, ethics and suitability must come before convenience or box-ticking.What stress actually is: Stress is “the adverse reaction to excessive pressure or demands.” It’s not always bad, but unmanaged, chronic stress harms health and quality of life.NHS-style five steps for wellbeing: Connect, Be Active, Keep Learning, Give to Others, and Be Mindful, simple, repeatable habits that build resilience.Reach out early: If you feel overwhelmed, talk to someone and seek support; help exists in many forms.Key Moments“Safeguarding, ethics and suitability must come before convenience, box-ticking or commercial priorities.”“When a person reaches out, the person they speak to must be ready, ready to listen, ready to show up, ready to take them seriously and ready to keep promises.”“Stress is the adverse reaction people have to excessive pressure or other types of demand placed on them.”“Mental health is not just for a month, a week, a day, it’s every day of the year, and it’s for everyone.”About the HostJohn Fogarty has a training background dating back to 2005, with achievements including a teaching qualification and assessor standard. He has previously worked with two first aid charities, delivering sessions in workplace and educational environments.John has consistently received excellent feedback for his delivery and customer service, as evident in numerous reviews. He ensures learners enjoy and achieve their goals, and works with customers to select the right courses and resolves any issues promptly.Find out more at: https://jpffirstaid.co.uk/

In our last episode we focussed on CPR, around Restart a Heart month, which leads onto this episode about how we approach a casualty and the initial first aid steps, key practices, and emergency response strategies. This will equip you with foundational knowledge to act effectively in emergencies, emphasising the importance of prompt action, collaboration with emergency services, and understanding NHS resources. Key TakeawaysAims of First Aid: Preserve life, alleviate suffering, prevent conditions from worsening, and promote recovery.Emergency Numbers: Dial 999 or 112 (an EU-wide emergency number) for assistance, emphasising the use of apps like What3Words for precise location sharing.Primary Survey - DR ABC: Assess dangers, check for responsiveness, call for help, secure the airway, evaluate breathing, and respond appropriately with CPR or other measures.Prioritise the Four Bs: Breathing, bleeding, burns, and broken bones are addressed in order to ensure effective care.NHS Resources: Minor injuries units and urgent treatment centers are valuable alternatives to A&E for non-life-threatening conditions, easing the burden on hospitals.Key Moments“First aid begins with us being the first responder, providing critical care before professional help arrives.”“The What3Words app pinpoints your exact location, enabling emergency services to reach you faster.”“The Four Bs—Breathing, Bleeding, Burns, and Broken Bones—help prioritise treatment in emergencies.”“Using DR ABC ensures a structured approach to managing casualties safely and efficiently.”About the HostJohn Fogarty has a training background dating back to 2005, with achievements including a teaching qualification and assessor standard. He has previously worked with two first aid charities, delivering sessions in workplace and educational environments.John has consistently received excellent feedback for his delivery and customer service, as evident in numerous reviews. He ensures learners enjoy and achieve their goals, and works with customers to select the right courses and resolves any issues promptly.Find out more at www.jpffirstaid.co.uk/ 

Restart a heart day is on October 16th and with that in mind we thought it would be a great reason to reshare the story of Carrie Bacciocchi and how she had to use CPR training in a real life scenario. John Fogarty also discusses the importance of CPR, emphasising that it stands for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and is crucial for keeping blood and oxygen circulating to vital organs. He explains the "chain of survival," starting with early recognition and calling for help, followed by CPR, defibrillation, and post-resuscitation care. John notes that confidence in performing CPR is low, with only 51% of people feeling prepared. Key TakeawaysCPR, which stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is vital for maintaining blood flow and oxygen to vital organs, improving a casualty's chances of survival.Early recognition, calling for help, starting CPR, and using a defibrillator are crucial steps in the "chain of survival" to improve outcomes for cardiac arrest victims.Performing CPR can be both physically exhausting and emotionally intense, with adrenaline playing a key role during emergencies, followed by a need for post-event support.Key momentsJohn: “If (you take) anything from this podcast, please go out and learn those all important life saving skills”.John: “if we can get an early defibrillation involved, which is step three of that chain of survival, that then helps to restart the heart, where it then looks at analysing the heart rhythm and see whether that is in a shockable rhythm to then restart that heart”.Carrie: “Unfortunately, we did have to go to defib, so I was talked through by the person on the other end of the phone while we waited for the ambulance to arrive”.Carrie: So something very simple that could have been looked after quickly and dealt with went on to life saving actions needing to be taken.About the guestCarrie Bacciocchi is self-employed with a background in education, she supports children who struggle with attending school. After discovering Utility Warehouse in 2014, where she saved on bills, she found an opportunity to earn residual income by helping others save money.About the HostJohn Fogarty has a training background dating back to 2005, with achievements including a teaching qualification and assessor standard. He has previously worked with two first aid charities, delivering sessions in workplace and educational environments.John has consistently received excellent feedback for his delivery and customer service, as evident in numerous reviews. He ensures learners enjoy and achieve their goals, and works with customers to select the right courses and resolves any issues promptly.Find out more at https://jpffirstaid.co.uk/

In this solo episode of the JPF First Aid Podcast, host John Fogarty explores how employers and employees can work together to create a positive mental health culture at work and the simple, everyday habits that support our own wellbeing. He covers key UK legislation and guidance, shares the latest HSE statistics, and offers practical steps for both organisations and individuals.Key TakeawaysUK employers have a duty under health and safety regulations to protect both physical and mental health; guidance spans NICE, the HSE, and laws including the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, Mental Health Act 1983, Mental Capacity Act 2005, Equality Act 2010, Human Rights Act 1998, and data laws such as the Data Protection Act and GDPR.HSE 2023/24 figures highlight the scale of the issue: 776,000 workers with work-related stress, depression or anxiety; 300,000 new cases; 16.4 million working days lost; these conditions account for 46% of all work-related ill-health, despite a 14% drop vs the previous period.Employers can foster a healthy culture with a mental health action plan, clear policies, training (including first aid for mental health), open-door communication, recognition and reward, employee involvement in decisions, and visible leadership commitment.Employees can contribute by learning about mental health, checking in on colleagues, speaking up early, embracing inclusion, using breaks well, planning rest and annual leave, and listening to their bodies.Personal wellbeing is built on small, consistent actions: time with loved ones, exercise, healthy eating, good sleep, hobbies, volunteering, mindfulness, and contacting your GP when concerned. The NHS “Five Steps to Mental Wellbeing” are: connect, be active, keep learning, give to others, and be mindful.Key Moments“Every workplace has a duty… to make sure that there’s no risk to our health”—and that includes mental health.The headline numbers: “16.4 million working days lost due to work-related stress, depression or anxiety.”Practical culture change: introduce a mental health action plan, provide training and an open-door policy, and recognise achievements to boost morale and motivation.The NHS’s five steps—connect, be active, keep learning, give, be mindful—offer a simple framework to build resilience inside and outside the workplace. About the HostJohn Fogarty has a training background dating back to 2005, with achievements including a teaching qualification and assessor standard. He has previously worked with two first aid charities, delivering sessions in workplace and educational environments.John has consistently received excellent feedback for his delivery and customer service, as evident in numerous reviews. He ensures learners enjoy and achieve their goals, and works with customers to select the right courses and resolves any issues promptly.Find out more at www.jpffirstaid.co.uk/ 

In this episode of JPF First Aid, we speak to Anne Scanlon, a counsellor with over 24 years’ experience specialising in bereavement and anticipatory grief. Anne has worked extensively with children and young people in hospice and educational settings and now runs a private practice. She shares her expertise on how grief affects children differently to adults and why inclusion and communication are vital in helping them process loss.Key TakeawaysChildren process grief differently from adults; they often jump in and out of emotional states quickly as a natural coping mechanism.Including children in the grieving process helps them build a clearer understanding and prevents feelings of isolation.Schools and professionals can play a significant role in supporting grieving children, and training can empower staff to respond confidently and compassionately.Key Moments“Adults are in a fast-flowing river of grief… children jump in and out of puddles. One minute they’re in it, the next they’re not. It’s a natural coping strategy.”“If we don’t talk to children about grief, they fill in the gaps themselves, and they don’t always get it right.”“Tears are your medicine. They show children it’s okay to feel, and it gives them permission to cry too.”About the GuestA BACP-accredited counsellor since 2012, Anne Scanlon has over 20 years’ experience supporting adults, young people, and children in Solihull, Tamworth, and online. She offers a safe, non-judgemental space to explore thoughts, feelings, and memories, using creative approaches like art and play with younger clients. Specialising in bereavement, Anne helps individuals navigate grief by giving voice to memories and emotions. She empowers clients to understand themselves, build resilience, and move forward with greater clarity and confidence.About the HostJohn Fogarty has a training background dating back to 2005, with achievements including a teaching qualification and assessor standard. He has previously worked with two first aid charities, delivering sessions in workplace and educational environments.John has consistently received excellent feedback for his delivery and customer service, as evident in numerous reviews. He ensures learners enjoy and achieve their goals, and works with customers to select the right courses and resolves any issues promptly.Find out more at www.jpffirstaid.co.uk/

This episode contains discussions of childhood trauma, substance abuse, addiction, suicidal thoughts, and mental health struggles, which some listeners may find upsetting or triggering. Listener discretion is advised.In this episode of JPF First Aid we speak to Sean, a hypnotherapist and coach who shares his personal story of overcoming anxiety through understanding its root causes from his childhood. He experienced trauma growing up with alcoholism in his family and negative experiences in school that led him to use drugs as a coping mechanism.As an adult, Sean struggled with addiction, mental health issues, and suicidal thoughts before seeking help. He discusses how anxiety stems from past experiences and the importance of hypnotherapy to help clients understand and reframe their root causes in order to release trapped emotions and beliefs. Sean provides tips for managing anxiety through nature, meditation, breathing exercises, and finding a trustworthy therapist.Key TakeawaysAnxiety stems from past experiences and events, not just recent ones, so understanding the root cause is important for overcoming it.Unaddressed anxiety can lead to further mental health issues and unhealthy coping mechanisms like drugs or alcohol.Finding a safe, trusting person like a friend or therapist, to talk to can help when anxiety becomes overwhelming.Key Moments"Anxiety does play a role, it's a normal part of us as human beings, you know, it has that role to keep us safe. And to protect us, if we were standing on a cliff edge, for example, it would do the right thing. And it would make us feel that moment that we need to look after ourselves and protect ourselves because we could be in danger.”"I grew up in a normal working class family. I got two brothers, mum and dad, which was fine. There was just one issue with me growing up and that was that I was surrounded and grew up around alcohol.""I woke up one day and it was literally at the crossroads. And I was like, Okay, what are we going to do, we are going to do one or two things right now. Or take my life. And this is going to happen today. Whatever happens today, this is going to happen, I'm going to take my life, or I'm going to get help.”About the GuestSean, is a hypnotherapist and coach who specialises in trauma, PTSD, anxiety, addiction, and depression. Through understanding his own trauma history and reframing negative beliefs, Sean became a therapist to help others overcome anxiety and addiction using hypnotherapy techniquesAbout the HostJohn Fogarty has a training background dating back to 2005, with achievements including a teaching qualification and assessor standard. He has previously worked with two first aid charities, delivering sessions in workplace and educational environments.John has consistently received excellent feedback for his delivery and customer service, as evident in numerous reviews. He ensures learners enjoy and achieve their goals, and works with customers to select the right courses and resolves any issues promptly.Find out more at www.jpffirstaid.co.uk/ 

In this episode of the JPF First Aid Podcast, John Fogarty welcomes back children’s author Jessica Radford to discuss her latest book, The Wolves Who Wouldn’t Fit In. A follow-up to her previous appearances, Jessica introduces this new story that tackles themes of bullying, judgement, inclusion, and the power of kindness. Inspired by her own experiences and conversations with children, Jessica explains why it’s important to help young readers understand the value of compassion, especially when dealing with people who may feel different or excluded.Key TakeawaysJudgement is human, kindness is a choice. We all make snap judgments, but we can choose how we act on them. Jessica’s book encourages children to take time to understand others before forming opinions.Everyone has something going on behind the scenes. The story helps young readers recognise that people may be facing challenges we can't see, and that kindness can make a big difference.It’s okay to be different. Children who feel like they don’t ‘fit in’ may find comfort in this story and realise they’re not alone.Books as a tool for emotional understanding. Jessica believes storytelling is a powerful way to teach empathy and spark meaningful conversations, especially in schools.Key Moments“We can’t stop ourselves forming first impressions, but we can control how we treat people after that.”“The children who seem the happiest can often be carrying the heaviest weight.”“A little girl once told me, ‘If you don’t fit in, people think you’re weird.’ That really stuck with me.”“These stories aren’t just for children to be kind, they’re also for the ones who need kindness.”About the GuestJessica always had a love of books and reading from a very early age. She attempted to write a few stories when she was a child and after losing touch with writing for a while, sat down at her laptop a few years ago and her first story, ‘The Squirrel Who Couldn’t Balance’ just ‘happened’. Since then, the stories just seemed to have flowed and Jessica’s love of writing has returned with a vengeance. Find out more: https://www.jessicaradford.co.uk/About the HostJohn Fogarty has a training background dating back to 2005, with achievements including a teaching qualification and assessor standard. He has previously worked with two first aid charities, delivering sessions in workplace and educational environments.John has consistently received excellent feedback for his delivery and customer service, as evident in numerous reviews. He ensures learners enjoy and achieve their goals, and works with customers to select the right courses and resolves any issues promptly.Find out more at www.jpffirstaid.co.uk/