The Care Aware Crew
The Care Aware Crew pilot project was rolled out in early March 2022 to six primary schools in Limerick. It was funded by QExchange following a successful funding award. Aiming to build leadership and health promotion skills among 3rd and 4th class pupils in the area of first aid, it was created and developed with clinical staff from UL Hospitals, Mid-west Community Healthcare, University of Limerick and Limerick & Clare Education & Training Board (LCETB). The project consists of five downloadable lessons each about a different aspect of First Aid. They were prepared by locally based clinical professionals following consultation with teachers and pupils who took part.
Phase two of the Care Aware Crew took place in February 2023 and was successfully rolled out to thirteen schools in the Limerick and Clare areas.
We are delighted that phase three of the Care Aware Crew launched in February 2024. This year, the programme is being rolled out in 16 schools, 29 classrooms to 681 students across Limerick and Clare. This year's participating schools are:
- Ballybrown NS.
- Caherconlish NS
- CBS NS, Sexton Street Limerick
- Doon CBS
- Glenroe CNS
- Kilfinny NS
- LETS NS, Raheen, Limerick
- Lisnagry NS
- Our Lady Queen of Peace NS, Caherdavin, Limerick
- Patrickswell NS
- Presentation PS
- Raheen Wood CNS, Tuamgraney, Co. Clare
- Scoil Chríost Rí, Caherdavin
- Scoil Mocheallóg, Kilmallock
- St John's GNS
- St. Patrick's GNS
How it works
Every week for eight weeks, the teachers will receive an educational video and worksheet activities to carry out with their class. The programme schedule is as follows:
- Week 1 Calling an Ambulance
- Week 2 Fractures and Sprains
- Week 3 Head Injuries
- Week 4 Wound Care
- Week 5 First Aid Kit
- Week 6 Caring for Your Skin
- Week 7 Healthy Heart
- Week 8 Brilliant Brain
These activities aim to support the pupils' learning and are a mixture of practical-based and knowledge-based activities. Designed to help the students revise what they have learned about treating cuts, wounds, fractures and sprains each class will also receive: absorbent dressings waterproof adhesive non-woven wound dressings, elastic support bandages, self-adhesive tape Surgical tape, fabric plasters and examination gloves
After the programme, the pupils have the option to undertake a project, with their teacher, to showcase their learning.
A special thank you to the following staff who generously shared their expertise:
Mary O’Neill, Paramedic Studies; Calling an Ambulance
Sinead Killeen, Physiotherapy; Fractures and Sprains
Dr Alan Watts, Consultant Emergency Medicine; Head Injuries
Gillian Corey, Nursing; Cuts and Wounds
Siobhan Egan, Nursing; First Aid Box
Dr Samer Arnous, Consultant Cardiologist; Healthy Heart
Dr Elijah Chaila, Consultant Neurologist; Brilliant Brain
Evelyn Power; Nursing; Caring for your Skin
The Health Sciences Academy are really looking forward to working with the schools, teachers and pupils.
