First Aid for Grandparents and Informal Carers (Term 2 2026)

What's it all about?

This hands-on session is designed for grandparents and informal carers who look after babies and children. Build the confidence and practical skills to respond to common childhood accidents, injuries and illnesses.

During the workshop, participants will learn how to:

• Perform CPR on babies and children

• Use an AED (Automated External Defibrillator)

• Recognise the difference between choking, gagging and coughing

• Manage choking (including back blows and chest thrusts)

• Identify red flags after head injuries

• Provide effective burn first aid

• Apply the Pressure Immobilisation Technique (PIT) for snake bites and funnel-web spiders

• Manage bites, stings, and allergic reactions

• Respond to both minor and life-threatening bleeding

• Recognise common hazards for regional and rural children

The session will cover practical prevention strategies for drowning, choking, burns, head injuries, car safety and farm safety - along with clear guidance on when to see a GP, when to attend hospital, and when it’s safe to monitor at home.

This subsidised community education session is made possible through a grant from Macedon Ranges Shire Council, with support from the Woodend Neighbourhood House.

Who will be leading the session?

Grace Larson is the co-founder of The Sisterhood Project. As a nurse specialising in teaching advanced resuscitation to medical professionals, Grace identified a troubling disparity in community health: specialised pediatric first aid was largely restricted to those who could afford it.

Driven by the belief that every carer deserves these life-saving skills, she partnered with Skye Larson to launch a grant-funded charity dedicated to providing free training. Her dedication to health equity earned her the 2024 Victorian AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award.

Term 2 2026 Information

The session will run on Saturday 20th June 2026 between 10am and 12noon. The cost for each participant is $20.

Please note the workshop requires a minimum of 6 paid participants to go ahead. If this minimum number is not reached, a full refund will be provided. The workshop will have a maximum of 12 participants.

Upon registration, your name and email address will be shared with Grace Larson at The Sisterhood Project, who will contact you prior to the course to confirm final arrangements.