CAST has gone from strength to strength through 2023, as we have developed into an award-winning organisation (Education & Training Awards 2023 – Best Mental Health First Aid Education Provider 2023 – UK). We have positively grown through the significant changes to the traditional learning spaces experienced during 2020, 2021 & 2022, learning from our customers’ journey & adapting to meet our learners’ needs.
Our training solutions include both virtual & face to face options for almost every course we offer.
We continue to work in close partnership with Mental Health First Aid England, LivingWorks Education, & The National Centre for Suicide Prevention Education & Training, whilst developing new links with Chasing The Stigma & their Ambassador of Hope Programme.
2023 has seen the delivery of 42 Mental Health First Aid England training programmes, 13 NCSPET Suicide First Aid courses, & 5 ASIST courses.
We have contributed to Public Health North Yorkshire’s training programme for the community, & worked with Kirklees Council & their local employers to train 193 new MHFAiders across the district.
Katie spoke on suicide & self harm at the annual CAPE Conference in Preston for Designated Safeguarding Leads in the North West & supported Barnardos by speaking at one of their Team Development Days.
2024 will see some exciting developments in the CAST training offer, with a refresh of our Safeguarding Adults & Children training. This will enable CAST to teach the Ofqual regulated qualifications in Safeguarding – either as a classroom-based course or by distance learning. The course is suitable for schools, colleges, children’s services, healthcare professionals and others working in an environment where individuals are likely to find themselves at risk.
CAST is also expanding our mental health portfolio, offering options for First Aid certification or qualification (by exam or assessment) to meet a variety of budgets without losing quality or content.
All of the learning solutions C.A.S.T. offers aim to build an individual’s confidence, knowledge, skills & understanding of a wide range of mental health & safeguarding issues.
We can design & develop bespoke training to meet specific learning aims & objectives, and we can train anyone over the age of 16.
The driving force behind CAST Learning Solutions is to make a real difference to the wider community.
“If I ever get an opportunity to work with Katie in the future I will grab it with both hands. Katie not only knows her stuff, she delivers it in a professional and engaging way which makes some really difficult subject matter easier to understand.”
North Yorkshire Safeguarding Children Board Manager (2012-2018)
“I would urge anyone working within this field to take the training, and couldn’t recommend Katie as a trainer enough. She does fantastic work for us in North Yorkshire and course by course is ensuring that the county is safer… “
Amber Graver, Stronger Communities Development Officer